Joan of Arc is one of the greatest women to ever live and Women’s History Month is a wonderful opportunity to remember her and celebrate her contributions to the world. Joan continues to be an inspiration and role-model to women today because of the outstanding qualities she exhibited during her brief life. Famous 19th century Scottish author and historian Andrew Lang once described Joan as the “Flower of Chivalry” which is a title that probably best summarizes her character.
Women’s History Month was established thirty years ago to help people remember the great achievements and contributions that women have made throughout history. While there have been many great women over the years who have made significant contributions to the world there is none who stands out in quite the same way as Joan of Arc. Rising from total obscurity to lead her people to impossible victories over the most powerful army in the world at the time Joan achieved a fame that continues to amaze all who hear her story.
In a day and age when it seems that there are no true heroes anymore it is refreshing to remember Joan of Arc and again believe that heroes are possible. And let Joan be a reminder to everyone during Women’s History Month about all that women can achieve and that women can ultimately be the greatest heroes of all.
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
The Mission Begins!
On February 23, 1429, Joan-of-Arc finally received the blessing of Sir Robert de Baudricourt and departed Vaucouleurs to begin her mission to save France. Joan had requested help from de Baudricourt three times before he finally relented and agreed to send her to Charles VII in Chinon. It was during the evening of the 23rd that Joan assembled her small party of six that included her two knights, Jean de Metz and Bertrand de Poulengy, their two servants and two of the King’s messengers. The journey they were to begin was long and hazardous and required them to travel at night. Just before Joan departed a women asked Joan: “How can you make such a journey when on all sides are enemy soldiers?” Joan responded: “I do not fear the soldiers, for my road is made open to me; and if the soldiers come, I have God , my Lord, who will know how to clear the route that leads to messire the Dauphin. It was for this that I was born!”
Thursday, January 21, 2010
Joan of Arc Relics Fake?
A story about the remains of Joan of Arc being fake continues to circulate on the internet which has always seemed to me superfluous because the historical records are very clear that there were no remains left after she was executed. The Earl of Warwick, who was in charge of Joan while she was in jail and oversaw her execution, ordered that even the few ashes that were left after she was burned be placed in a sack and thrown into the Seine river to make absolutely sure that no “relics” could be claimed later.
And yet, here we are with all these stories saying that Joan’s relics are fake almost six hundred years later. Apparently a bottle containing some charred bones surfaced at a pharmacy in 1867 that was labeled "Remains found under the pyre of Joan of Arc, maiden of Orleans." Despite the historical record that should have alerted everyone in 1867 that these remains had to be fake they were instead preserved as authentic. At least now modern science has finally proven that they are indeed fake and nothing more than the bones of a cat and an Egyptian so that should finally put an end to this story, right. I wonder.
And yet, here we are with all these stories saying that Joan’s relics are fake almost six hundred years later. Apparently a bottle containing some charred bones surfaced at a pharmacy in 1867 that was labeled "Remains found under the pyre of Joan of Arc, maiden of Orleans." Despite the historical record that should have alerted everyone in 1867 that these remains had to be fake they were instead preserved as authentic. At least now modern science has finally proven that they are indeed fake and nothing more than the bones of a cat and an Egyptian so that should finally put an end to this story, right. I wonder.
Wednesday, January 6, 2010
Joan of Arc’s Birthday Today
Today is the 598th anniversary of Saint Joan of Arc’s birth in Domremy, France, on January 6, 1412. I already have a special page devoted to Joan’s birthday at MaidOfHeaven.com that I encourage everyone to visit as it contains descriptions of her birth and early years by people who personally knew her while she was alive. The page also explains the significance of her birth on the Epiphany which I believe was a gift to her from God because she is truly a “shining star that points the way to the Father of all light.”
Joan of Arc’s Birthday Page
I thought I would use the rest of this blog entry to share with everyone how I personally celebrate Joan’s birthday. I like to light a candle for her every year on both her birthday and her feast day in May and take some time to remember her for the great woman of God that she was. I also like to re-read the poem I wrote to her Maid of Heaven because it always reminds me again of the real Joan and brings me back closer to her. I hope everyone reading this today will find your own way to remember and honor Joan on this special day when she was born.
Happy birthday most beautiful Maid of Heaven!
Joan of Arc’s Birthday Page
I thought I would use the rest of this blog entry to share with everyone how I personally celebrate Joan’s birthday. I like to light a candle for her every year on both her birthday and her feast day in May and take some time to remember her for the great woman of God that she was. I also like to re-read the poem I wrote to her Maid of Heaven because it always reminds me again of the real Joan and brings me back closer to her. I hope everyone reading this today will find your own way to remember and honor Joan on this special day when she was born.
Happy birthday most beautiful Maid of Heaven!
Wednesday, December 23, 2009
JESUS MARIA
“Behold, the virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call him Emmanuel – which means God with us.”
“Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace, good will toward men.”
At this time of year when we celebrate the birth of Christ, I hope everyone will remember how much our beloved St. Joan of Arc loved Jesus and devoted her life to serving Him. Joan was so focused on Jesus that she had His name along with His mother’s emblazoned on the banner that she carried to lead her men into battle. She also closed most of her letters with Jesus Maria right after her own signature. Of course what is most telling to me about the focus of Joan’s life were her final words “Jesus, Jesus, Jesus” as she departed this world to be with her Lord in His kingdom.
A very merry CHRISTmass to all.
Jesus Maria
“Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace, good will toward men.”
At this time of year when we celebrate the birth of Christ, I hope everyone will remember how much our beloved St. Joan of Arc loved Jesus and devoted her life to serving Him. Joan was so focused on Jesus that she had His name along with His mother’s emblazoned on the banner that she carried to lead her men into battle. She also closed most of her letters with Jesus Maria right after her own signature. Of course what is most telling to me about the focus of Joan’s life were her final words “Jesus, Jesus, Jesus” as she departed this world to be with her Lord in His kingdom.
A very merry CHRISTmass to all.
Jesus Maria
Wednesday, December 9, 2009
Maid of Heaven Video Trailer about Joan of Arc
The video trailer for the Maid of Heaven book is available at YouTube where it seems to have had quite an impact on people who posted comments like:
“This was really great! very touching indeed”
“I burst into tears after watching this”
“Really Awesome!!!”
If you have not seen it yet now is your chance. Just click the arrow in the middle of the video and it will start playing. When I created this video trailer I wanted it to be not only about St. Joan of Arc’s life but also about what I call her immortal light that still shines so brightly today and inspires so many people. I hope you enjoy the video.
“This was really great! very touching indeed”
“I burst into tears after watching this”
“Really Awesome!!!”
If you have not seen it yet now is your chance. Just click the arrow in the middle of the video and it will start playing. When I created this video trailer I wanted it to be not only about St. Joan of Arc’s life but also about what I call her immortal light that still shines so brightly today and inspires so many people. I hope you enjoy the video.
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
Joan of Arc’s Last Great Victory
"I am not alone! I have fifty thousand of my own company to fight with me!"
In the autumn of 1429, Charles VII seems to have been completely under the influence of his advisors who urged negotiation rather than battle. In light of this policy Joan of Arc was used in only a limited role when it suited the King and his advisors. For whatever reason they decided to send her to the strategically insignificant town of St. Pierre-le-Moutier where Joan once again showed her military brilliance by capturing the town despite having limited troops and supplies with which to overcome a stout defense.
During the battle when it appeared that all was lost and her men were retreating Joan again showed her courage and great leadership in completely turning the course of the battle. Joan’s aide-de-camp(my modern title) Jean d’Aulon describes the scene later at her trial of rehabilitation: “After the Maid and her soldiers had maintained the siege before the city for some time, an assault was ordered and made and all did their duty. But because of the great strength of the place, and also the great resistance made by those within, the French were forced to retreat. At this hour he who speaks, being wounded by an arrow in the heel, as such without crutches I could neither move nor sustain myself, saw that the Maid had remained behind with very few soldiers indeed. Fearing what might follow I mounted a horse, and hastily riding to her I asked her what she was doing there alone and why she had not retreated like the rest of the men. But the Maid, lifting the face guard of her helmet replied: ‘I am not alone! I have fifty thousand of my own company to fight with me and retreat I will not until I have taken this town.’ Whatever she might have said she had not with her more than four of five men, as I know for certain as do several others who were looking on, so I urged her to retreat like the rest. Then she told me to tell the men to bring faggots and brush to make a bridge across the moat which she yelled to the rest in a loud voice.”
Shortly thereafter the moat was filled and the town was taken by assault with little resistance to the amazement of d’Aulon. St. Joan of Arc once again prevailed against impossible odds however this was to be her last great victory. While she continued until her capture to have military successes she never again stormed and captured a city the way she did that day in early November of 1429 at Saint Pierre-le-Moutier.
In the autumn of 1429, Charles VII seems to have been completely under the influence of his advisors who urged negotiation rather than battle. In light of this policy Joan of Arc was used in only a limited role when it suited the King and his advisors. For whatever reason they decided to send her to the strategically insignificant town of St. Pierre-le-Moutier where Joan once again showed her military brilliance by capturing the town despite having limited troops and supplies with which to overcome a stout defense.
During the battle when it appeared that all was lost and her men were retreating Joan again showed her courage and great leadership in completely turning the course of the battle. Joan’s aide-de-camp(my modern title) Jean d’Aulon describes the scene later at her trial of rehabilitation: “After the Maid and her soldiers had maintained the siege before the city for some time, an assault was ordered and made and all did their duty. But because of the great strength of the place, and also the great resistance made by those within, the French were forced to retreat. At this hour he who speaks, being wounded by an arrow in the heel, as such without crutches I could neither move nor sustain myself, saw that the Maid had remained behind with very few soldiers indeed. Fearing what might follow I mounted a horse, and hastily riding to her I asked her what she was doing there alone and why she had not retreated like the rest of the men. But the Maid, lifting the face guard of her helmet replied: ‘I am not alone! I have fifty thousand of my own company to fight with me and retreat I will not until I have taken this town.’ Whatever she might have said she had not with her more than four of five men, as I know for certain as do several others who were looking on, so I urged her to retreat like the rest. Then she told me to tell the men to bring faggots and brush to make a bridge across the moat which she yelled to the rest in a loud voice.”
Shortly thereafter the moat was filled and the town was taken by assault with little resistance to the amazement of d’Aulon. St. Joan of Arc once again prevailed against impossible odds however this was to be her last great victory. While she continued until her capture to have military successes she never again stormed and captured a city the way she did that day in early November of 1429 at Saint Pierre-le-Moutier.
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