How Can Saint Joan Play a Role in Our Lives Today?

In my humble opinion I believe Saint Joan of Arc is even more important for us today than she has ever been since the time of her Canonization.

Saint Joan of Arc stands for TRUTH. To paraphrase Saint Paul, "She spoke the truth whether it was in season or out of season. In other words, whether the people liked what she said or not, she was always truthful.

Saint Joan of Arc stands for COURAGE. She had the courage of her convictions and was willing to stand by them no matter what it cost her, even her life....

Saint Joan of Arc stands for FAITHFULNESS AND LOYALTY.

• She was faithful and loyal to King Charles even though he was ungrateful and abandoned her to the enemy.
• She was faithful and loyal to Holy Mother Church even though some of its prelates were cruel and unjust to her and ultimately betrayed her to the hideous death of being burnt alive! She went so far as to forgive these churchmen just before she was burned to death.
• Most importantly she was faithful and loyal to GOD and the MISSION that HE gave her. She did this by "never taking her hand from the plow," but strove to the utmost of her ability to serve HIM all the days of her life, even during her oppressive imprisonment, until the day of her death.

Saint Joan of Arc stands for LOVE. Love was the underlying message of her life.

• She loved the oppressed people of France. She showed her love by striving to end the long standing Hundred Years' War which caused the people so much suffering. She did this by first begging the English to leave France peacefully without further bloodshed. It was only after the third English rejection of her request that Joan resorted to force of arms.
• She showed her love in the way she fought. She never prolonged a battle any longer than was necessary. She did not "play at war" as the knights of the time were in the habit of doing. (They were more interested in ransoms than in winning a battle.)
• She showed her love to the enemy by never allowing the wanton murder of captured English soldiers. She cried over and prayed for an Englishman as easily as she did for any Frenchman.
• She showed her love for the poor and needy by always giving generous alms to all who asked.
• She showed her love by never being short or angry to the throngs of people that would press in on her or who brought their little children for her to hold.
• She showed her passionate love for the Church and the Sacraments by attending Mass every day and, when her work allowed, by spending long hours in personal prayer. She passionately loved to receive the sacrament of Reconciliation (confession) and did this almost daily, but in Joan's time a person could receive Our Lord in Holy Communion normally only once a month. (When she had her own personal chaplain, Father Jean Pasquerel, she received Holy Communion as often as he would allow, almost daily.) I believe the worst torture she suffered in the Rouen prison was her inability to go to confession and receive Our Dear Lord in Holy Communion.

These virtues that I have spoken of are seriously lacking in our world today.

When the time of persecution comes, will we be able to speak the TRUTH and have the COURAGE, FAITHFULNESS, LOYALTY and LOVE to remain faithful to Jesus and the Church?

Mr. Lawrence Johnson of Bozeman, Montana added this point to my comments on Saint Joan's holiness which I feel is very appropriate. He states:

"The story of Joan of Arc provides a powerful, historically verifiable example of how a person (in this case a woman) can hear and respond to God's command, and in so doing, change history. I believe that God speaks to each of us if we will only listen, and that we are all called to play a part in establishing God's Kingdom here on earth. Joan of Arc's experience was a spiritual "mountain top" that few are blessed with during the course of history. Yet we can all learn and find courage and a fresh resolve in her example."

Thank you Mr. Johnson for that insight.