Joan of Arc: Heeding the Call

Faith, Courage, and a Call

How can a miracle win a war? Kings fight battles; Saints usually don’t. But for one young French girl, this wasn’t the case. She listened to the voices of St. Michael, St. Catherine, and St. Margaret, and by their word, received God’s guidance for her own life. She would soon learn that she was needed for a much greater purpose. By her unshakable faith, she would save her entire country. But how does a young girl from the unremarkable town of Domremy go on to lead the armies of France?

From Peasant to Warrior

Born in 1412 in a small rural village, Joan was accustomed to the difficult life of France during the Hundred Years War. Raised by devout peasants, she grew up with a deep sense of faith to overcome the difficulties of her world. She would pray often, even when doing simple chores throughout her day. Her life changed forever when she began to hear the voices of St. Michael, St. Catherine, and St. Margaret while working in her family’s garden. They revealed her divine mission to save France from English domination and crown the Dauphin as King of France. Her unwavering belief in God's plan set her on an extraordinary journey that took her far from her provincial village.

Doubt and Skepticism

Despite his initial skepticism, she convinced General Baudricourt, leader of the French army, of her divine mission, and that with her leadership, God would be fighting for the French. With his help, she secured an armed escort to Chinon to meet the Dauphin. The Dauphin also doubted; he decided to test her by switching places with one of his courtiers! When Joan came in to his court, she was presented with a false Dauphin. However, she was able to identify the real Dauphin even out of the midst of the crowd of the palace. This miraculous inspiration convinced him that God was working through Joan. With the Dauphin’s support, Joan was ready to break the Siege of Orleans.

Trust and Hope

Her leadership was pivotal during the battle. Under her command, the French forces lifted the siege and turned the tide of the entire war. Joan's deep faith inspired her soldiers to seek out the sacraments and receive confession before fighting at her request. Joan’s victory led to the eventual crowning of the Dauphin as King. Her steadfastness, courage, and obedience of her divine call led her to truly become the savior of France. 

This week on The Saints: Adventures of Faith and Courage, we present a special re-release of Joan of Arc in honor of her feast day on May 30th. Her entire life is a testament to the transformative power of faith. Follow along every step of her journey, from her tiny garden in Domremy, to the Dauphin’s Court, to the battlefield of Orleans. Listen on Monday at thesaintspodcast.com!