After the city of Orléans had been relieved of its siege, Joan felt compelled to fulfill her next prophecy: to lead the king to Reims for his coronation. She knew from her visions that she did not have much time to complete her mission, and she had to seize the moment. The English were weakened, […]
IN HONOR OF ST. JOAN OF ARC: “The king is crowned in Reims” (Part 6) Read More »
“Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves. You will know them by their fruits.” (Mt 7:15–16a) The Lord does not leave us in the dark about the dangers that lie in wait on our path of discipleship. It would be unthinkable for Him not to do
“THE SPIRIT OF DISCERNMENT” Read More »
From this moment on, the tide of the war turned in favor of the French crown. The decisive event had taken place: the Dauphin, Charles VII, had received Joan and had been convinced that she was sent by God, and the Church authorities had agreed as well. Thus God could carry out His plan. Joan’s
IN HONOR OF ST. JOAN OF ARC: “Joan fulfills her prophecy: Orléans is liberated” Read More »
With conviction and courage, Joan sets out on the arduous eleven‑day journey to Chinon. She knows she is on a mission from God, and therefore fears no obstacles. She continually encourages her companions as well. Two of them later testify about this journey during the interrogation that took place as part of the rehabilitation trial
IN HONOR OF ST. JOAN OF ARC: “Charles VII listens to Joan” (Part 4) Read More »
“I am the good shepherd; I know my own and my own know me” (Jn 10:14) The good shepherd—what a reassuring image this is, even though we see shepherds and flocks less and less in the wild. Yet the image speaks to us from within. Deep down, we know what the good shepherd means. He
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“Seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things shall be yours as well.” (Mt 6:33) How much more orderly everything in our lives would be if we would only follow this counsel of the Lord! That spiritual order—which governs all things but has, unfortunately, become so thoroughly disrupted—would be restored. Our Heavenly
“THE BASIC SPIRITUAL ORDER” Read More »
Joan kept this secret between God and herself, hidden within her as she grew up over the following years. She spoke to no one about it—not to the local priest, nor to her parents or friends. Guided by her saints, she oriented her entire life toward this mission, and little by little, her saints revealed
IN HONOR OF ST. JOAN OF ARC: “The mission takes shape” (Part 3) Read More »
Joan was born on January 6, 1412, in Domrémy, France, the fourth child of Jacques d’Arc and his wife Isabelle. She grew up in humble peasant circumstances, could neither read nor write, learned to spin and sew, and sometimes tended to the household. Her parents were considered devout Christians. Her mother instructed her in the
IN HONOR OF ST. JOAN OF ARC: “The heart of the Saint!” (Part 2) Read More »
“Do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ (…) Your heavenly Father knows that you need them all.” (Mt 6:31-32) Very often in Scripture we are warned not to give in to worry, for then we easily lose sight of any way out. Worries can constantly accompany us, gnawing
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It was May 30, 1431, in Rouen, France, one day after the Feast of the Most Holy Trinity. A large crowd had gathered that morning in the old market square near the Church of Our Savior. In addition to the gathered people and clergy, many soldiers were present. However, these were not French soldiers. They
IN HONOR OF ST. JOAN OF ARC (Part 1): “The heart of the Saint” Read More »
