Below are four prayers I obtained while I was in France. My good friend, Mrs. Anne Kelly a retired Albuquerque High School French teacher was kind enough to translate these prayers into English. The first prayer is called the Litany of Saint Joan of Arc. I found all the following prayers at the Cathedral of the Holy Cross in Orleans.

Composed by Louis, Bishop of Saint Dié.

Lord, have mercy on us!

Jesus Christ, have mercy on us!

Lord, have mercy on us!

Jesus Christ, hear us!

Jesus Christ, graciously hear us!

Our Heavenly Father, Who is God, have mercy on us!

Son, Savior of the world, Who is God, have mercy on us!

Holy Spirit, Who is God, have mercy on us!

Holy Trinity, Who is God, have mercy on us!

Holy Mary, virgin mother of God, pray for us.

Our Lady of the Assumption, principal patron of France, pray for us.

Saint Michael the Archangel, patron and special protector of France, pray for us.

Saint Catherine of Alexandria, virgin and martyr, pray for us.

Saint Margaret of Antioch, virgin and martyr, pray for us.

Saint Joan of Arc, chosen by God at Domremy, pray for us.

Saint Joan of Arc, informed [of her mission] by Saint Michael, the Archangel and his angels, pray for us.

Saint Joan of Arc, compliant to the call of God, pray for us.

Saint Joan of Arc, confidant [in] and submissive to her voices, pray for us.

Saint Joan of Arc, model of family life and labor, pray for us.

Saint Joan of Arc, faithfully devoted to Our Lady, pray for us.

Saint Joan of Arc, who delighted in the Holy Eucharist, pray for us.

Saint Joan of Arc, model of generosity in the service to God, pray for us.

Saint Joan of Arc, example of faithfulness to the Divine vocation, pray for us.

Saint Joan of Arc, model of union with God in action, pray for us.

Saint Joan of Arc, virgin and soldier, pray for us.

Saint Joan of Arc, model of courage and purity in the field [of battle], pray for us.

Saint Joan of Arc, compassionate towards all who suffer, pray for us.

Saint Joan of Arc, the pride of Orleans, pray for us.

Saint Joan of Arc, glory of Reims, pray for us.

Saint Joan of Arc, liberator of the Country, pray for us.

Saint Joan of Arc, abandoned and imprisoned at Compiegne, pray for us.

Saint Joan of Arc, pure and patient in your prison, pray for us.

Saint Joan of Arc, heroic and valiant before your judges, pray for us.

Saint Joan of Arc, alone with God at the hour of torment, pray for us.

Saint Joan of Arc, martyr of Rouen, pray for us.

Saint Joan or Arc and Saint Therese of Lisieux patronesses of France, pray for us.

All the Saints of France, intercede for us.

Lamb of God, Who take away the sins of the world, have mercy on us, Lord.

Lamb of God, Who take away the sins of the world, graciously hear us, Lord.

Lamb of God, Who take away the sins of the world, have mercy on us, Lord.

Saint Joan of Arc, pray for us, that we may become worthy of the promises of Our Savior Jesus Christ.

Let us pray.

Oh God, Who has raised up in an admirable manner, the virgin of Domremy, Saint Joan of Arc, for the defense of the faith and [our] country. By her intercession, we ask You that the Church [may] triumph against the assaults of her enemies and rejoice in lasting peace; through Jesus Christ Our Lord. Amen.

(The next three prayers I found in a booklet I purchased in the town of Domremy.)

(Since, with Saint Joan of Arc, Saint Therese of the Child Jesus is proclaimed as patroness of France the following prayer was addressed to her.)

Powerful patron of France, asked by the Immaculate Virgin, Queen of France, to save her privileged nation, return to us with Saint Martin of Tours, Saint Louis, King of France, with Saint Genevieve, the patroness of Paris and Saint Joan of Arc, to drive the Spirit of Darkness from the Kingdom. [For] we do not want Satan the adversary, the spirit of revolt and unbelief to rule over us. But we want the Prince of Peace to rule over us, Jesus our only Master and well beloved Savior. Amen.

Saint Michael the Archangel announced to Joan that she would save France, by first serving the King of Heaven.

And in less than a year by the audacity of Joan and the power of God, Orleans was delivered and the King of France was blessed and crowned at Reims.

I salute you, Joan, the Maid. Jesus and Mary were your aides. You are blessed among all the daughters of France and your advice is blessed.

Saint Joan of Arc, patron and guardian of the country, by the incessant prayer [of] our country [may we] become truly French and Christian and discover its unity. Amen.

Pray for us, Saint Joan of Arc, that we may all be worthy of our mission.

LET US PRAY:

Oh God, Who has so loved France, You have raised up this unique Joan of Arc. We beg You by Jesus and Mary to make us share in her clear good sense, her hardy courage, her freshness of soul, her joyous gift of self, her willingness to serve You and her lively love of Your Son and His mother. Amen.

Composed by Louis, Bishop of Saint Dié

God, Who has given to Joan of Domremy to be valiant in the humble work of the house and the fields and generously faithful to all Your calls.

Grant to us, by her intercession, to accomplish with faith all the works of our lives and to serve You courageously in our labors on the land, that we may earn a place with Joan and all the saints of France, in the Kingdom of heaven. We ask this through Jesus Christ Our Lord. Amen.

prayer written in 1939 by the Bishop of Orleans, France.

O Joan, holy liberator of France, the powerful holy force in the days of old, as you yourself said, "Peace would be found only at the point of a lance," who used the weapons of war when no other means were able to obtain a just Peace, take care and help today those who do not want to do violence and patiently try to employ all possible peaceful means of resolution, but now allow the violence of war.

Return, O great hearted Daughter of God, and wage war against the enemies of the people of France and the people of England, with whom you yourself wished an alliance for the good of humanity. Both nations are now raised for the defense of what you would have defended: Justice between nations! Both peoples wish to crush the rebirth of barbarism as they raise this cry which is yours: Christianity must continue!

Heroine of Orleans, transmit to our leaders, your talent to inspire your soldiers to accomplish great deeds of valor, in order that our soldiers’ efforts will come to a rapid and successful end.

Triumphant One of Reims, prepare for us the just peace under the shield of a force that will be henceforth vigilant!

Martyr of Rouen, be near to all the soldiers who fall in battle, in order to support, console, and help them and those dear ones that they leave behind.

Saint of the Country, excite in all souls, in every home of the world, the zeal to contribute to the salvation of the world and the return of peace, works which you crave, the rediscovery of a more Christian life, through holy thoughts and actions, forgiveness and persistent prayer, that as you yourself once said, "God must be served first." Amen.

For May 30th.

1) This is Joan, a most pious and simple maiden, who much feared the Lord, and of whom no one ever said an evil word.

2) The Lord raised her up, and behold the maiden was clad in the armor of God, so that she might withstand the snares of the enemy.

3) Her loins girt with verity and covered with the laurels of justice, she took up the shield and helmet of salvation.

4) And behold she raised her hand to the people and showed the nations the miracle of the Lord, so as to put the adversary to flight. Alleluia!

5) The angel guarded her; and when going and when stopping, and when returning, as well as in the midst of the fire, he never abandoned her. Alleluia!

Raising the people out of profound misery, thou hast accomplished miracles, O, generous virgin!

With right shall the generations call thee through the centuries, "Parent of Our Country."

The greatest reward remains the best. New work and new triumph call thee.

God in sending for thee gave thee new strength and the crown.

To Him who gave salvation to the oppressed, the thrice blessed Lord, let us offer our praises, so that France shall live forever through the many merits of her patron.

Composed by Virginia Lindsley, when she was in the 7^th grade.

Dear Saint Joan: I humbly ask you to help me to live as God wants me to. I would be happy if I had only a fraction of the love and kindness you had for your enemies as well as your friends. But most of all, I implore you to help me to obtain from God a spark of your great and endless love and faith so that I may truly love, serve and obey Him with my whole heart as you did to the very end of your holy life. May you always protect me and help me to stay pure in mind, body and spirit forever and ever. Amen.

Composed by Andrea Oefinger

In this, my time of need, I beg thee to come to my aid.

I humbly ask thee to help me bear my trials with honor,

As I remember you in your earthly agonies.

BLESSED JOAN, DUTY BOUND TO GOD, GIVE ME COURAGE!

You who left family and friends to enter into God’s service,

Devout and valiant to uphold righteousness to the end,

While being insulted and harmed by your enemies.

HOLY JOAN, DAUGHTER OF GOD, GIVE ME FORTITUDE!

Help me to prevail in life and death over evil,

While bearing my injuries with the dignity you showed

When wounded in the breast, head, thigh, and heel.

PIOUS JOAN, HELP ME TO BE FEARLESS!

Abandoned by the king you yourself had crowned,

Captured and sold to the highest bidder,

You put your trust in the King of Heaven to deliver you.

VENERABLE JOAN, HELP ME TO BE UNWAVERING IN MY FAITH!

Beaten, bruised, questioned and accused,

You were denied that which you loved most:

Communion, confession, mass and public prayer.

HEROIC JOAN, HELP ME TO UPHOLD JUSTICE!

Imprisoned, neglected, threatened and condemned,

Sentenced to die as a heretic the most cruelest death,

To die by the fire and be raised up in heaven!

GLORIOUS VIRGIN, PLEASE INTERCEDE FOR ME.

Hear this petition and my heartfelt plea.

Pray for me in this, my time of need,

For I believe God will deny you nothing. Amen.

(Here mention you specific request.)

Composed by Andrea Oefinger

Holy Saint Joan, compassionate to the sick and wounded, who, while on earth, nursed so many back to health, hear me.

You who wished to see no one injured or in discomfort, pray for me and guide me through this difficult time.

Daughter of God, wounded many times in battle, I petition you for healing (here mention your request here) so that I may be better able to serve God in whatever capacity HE wishes. Intercede for me.

It may not be in God’s will for my body to be healed, for my sufferings may help another or my own soul. If my request is not granted, help me to remain strong, and instead be healed emotionally and spiritually. Amen.

In the face of your enemies, in the face of harassment, ridicule and doubt, you held firm to your faith. Even in abandonment, alone and without friends, you held firm in your faith. Even as you faced your own mortality, you held firm to your faith.

Dear Saint Joan, I pray that I maybe as bold in my beliefs as you were. I ask that you ride alongside me in all my battles. Help me be mindful that what is worthwhile can be obtained when I persist. Help me hold firm in my faith. Help me believe in my ability to act well and wisely. Amen.

O Saint Joan of Arc, courageous woman soldier, called by God to fight and save your country from the enemy; grant that I, like you, may hear God’s call in my life and have the courage to follow it faithfully, as priest, religious, married or single.

May your motto: ‘My God must be first served,’ be mine also; so that through me, He may build His kingdom here on earth.

Intercede to the Master of the harvest, that He may send laborers into His harvest.

Saint Joan of Arc, pray for us. Amen

Apostolic Brief, Jan.11,1927.

Saint Joan of Arc, Apostle of the Kingship of Christ,

Pray for us.

Composed by Sister Betsy Cheramie, BSC of Berryville, Arkansas

Oh, St. Joan of Arc, a little shepherdess, who later was to be called 'the Maid who would come to help the King of France' and boldly lead the men-at-arms in freeing Orleans from the English, I ask of you to intercede for me through Jesus Christ Our Lord, with the fervor and faithfulness you had when trying to accomplish the mission God, Our Heavenly Father had set before you, through the voices of St. Michael, St. Catherine and St. Margaret.

When on trial and asked, 'Do you believe you are in a state of grace?' You replied, 'If I am not, may God put me in it; and if I am, God keep me in it.'

St. Joan of Arc, Patroness of France pray for me.

Feast: May 30.

Canonized May 16, 1920

Composed by Michael Fantina, May, 2000

St. Joan, always devout and pure, help me to be like you, to follow Our Lord's will, though sometimes difficult and unclear. I pray you to lend me your immense courage, a courage bestowed upon you by the Savior, in His merciful love, that you might accomplish His will. St. Joan, shepherdess and leader of armies, lend me your great gift of courage that I might do Our Lord's Will as you have done it, no matter how difficult it may appear.

Composed by Linda Fowler, July, 2000

Dear and Glorious St. Joan of Arc, my special patroness, friend and sister in Christ. I come before you this day to thank you for the graces you have obtained for me and my family and to ask your continued intercession with Our Lady to Jesus for us. Help me to fight the battles God sends me daily with the same courage and dedication you had. My battles may be smaller and different than the ones you were called to but I need the grace to surrender my will to God's daily. As you wore a physical armor, help me to put on the spiritual armor that St. Paul call us to wear in order to stay in the state of grace always. Be with me at my last hour so that my entry into eternity will be with faith in the divine Mercy of God no matter what form of death He wills for me. Help me to keep my eyes focused on Jesus and Him Crucified and Mary Immaculate. Grant me the signal grace I need at that hour and grant me the honor and privilege to stand next to you in the heavenly court with my family, St Joseph and all the saints and angels as we surround the thrones of Jesus and Mary through all eternity and worship the most Holy and Triune God. St. Joan, virgin and martyr, pray for me. Amen

Composed by John C. Soper of Thorold of Onterio, Canada, August, 2000

Dear St. Joan: Virgin, Warrior and Martyr. You who heard the voice of God so clearly and responded with your Yes! You who diligently fought to prevent satan from separating France. Help me to hear the Voice of God as clearly as you did and help me to respond to Him with my Yes. I also ask you stop satan from trying to separate me from God. I want so dearly to worship The Holy Trinity with Mary and you and all the Saints, for all eternity! I make this request in the Most Holy Name of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior! Amen!

St. Joan of Arc, humble maiden of France, your heavenly Father miraculously endowed you with every military skill and knowledge, and raised you up as the Commander of the armies of France for the blessing of His Church, the protection of His people, and the glory of His Holy Name. By your merits and prayers may God also endow all military men and women with every military skill and knowledge necessary for his station of duty. May his mission always be righteous, and his actions always be courageous, compassionate, and just. And just as you showed your ardent love for Jesus in offering up your life for Him, so may they fulfill all that their duty requires. St. Joan of Arc pray for us that we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ. Amen.

St. Joan of Arc, pray for us that we, like you, may receive the merciful gift of courage from Our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, to learn and do His will. St. Joan, pray for us that we, like you, may remain pure and steadfast in the face of all the temptations that we must endure in everyday life. St. Joan, pray for us that we, like you, may never lose sight of God's will, though we are persecuted and castigated by the world. And, finally, St. Joan, shepherdess, liberator and martyr, pray that we, also like you, may never lose our humanity and sense of humor in pursing Our Lord's will.

Written by Michael Fantina, June 10^th 2001

Thoughts and Concepts behind

*St. Jehanne, as a saint of the Catholic Church, serves as an example of how a person should offer themselves as a dwelling place for God. She personified the four "cardinal virtues": prudence, justice, fortitude, and temperance (Catechism 1805). By aspiring to be like her in virtue is to become closer to God. We can ask her for intercession for ourselves and the whole world (see Catechism 2683, 2684). Our devotion to St. Jehanne, who dwells in heaven, brings us closer to Christ and, in being more closely united to Christ, we fix the whole Church more firmly in holiness (Catechism 956, 957).

*St. Jehanne heard and listened to the Voice of God through Saints Catherine, Marguerite, and Michael. She has said that she first heard the voices while a child in her birthplace, Domremy. St. Jehanne had complete faith in her messengers' commands and brought them to fruition, despite great opposition.

*St. Jehanne, in following God's commands, served her countrymen who had been oppressed by the English. Her cause lead her into battle where she continued to honor God by encouraging purity and morality from her fellow soldiers. St. Jehanne fulfilled God's mission through justice--the moral virtue that consists in the constant and firm will to give their due to God and neighbor; establishing harmony that promotes equity with regard to persons and to the common good. She, by honoring God's commandments, fulfills his foremost law: love.

*St. Jehanne exhibited mercy in battle, giving her opponents opportunity to retreat in peace. In captivity, she bore her wrongful imprisonment patiently. She remained faithful to God. In her trial, Jehanne spoke what she knew to be God's truth despite the threat of torture and death. Jehanne, by acting upon her Voices' commands, stepped forth in spiritual battle for Him and continued to defend His mission to her death. This paragraph of the prayer also contains reference to a prayer Jehanne recited in her trial, which contains the phrase, "...in honor of Your Holy Passion," on March 28 regarding guidance in how to answer her judges about dressing in men's clothing.

*St. Jehanne exhibited the virtue of chastity during her life. She vowed virginity for as long as it would please God. In being chaste, a virtue that let her love with an upright and undivided heart, she also achieved purity of intention (seeking to fulfill God's will in everything), purity of vision (refusing complicity in impure thoughts that turn us aside from God's path), and purity of heart ("Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God) (Catechism 2518-2520). This paragraph also contains references to Jehanne's response to her trial judges when asked if she was in God's grace. Jehanne's response was: "If I am not, may it please God to put me in it; if I am, may it please God to keep me there." Her reply adhered to Catholic doctrine that grace escapes our experience and cannot be known except by faith, that we cannot rely on our feelings or our works to conclude that we are justified and saved (Catechism 2005). There is also a reference to her response to her examiners in Poitiers when questioned about the need for soldiers in fulfilling God's will to deliver France : "In God's name! The soldiers will fight, and God will give the victory!" Each of us can view ourselves as soldiers in a lifelong battle to fulfill God's will, to overcome the evils of this world. It is our duty as His children to devote our lives to the glory of His Kingdom.

The spelling of her name in this prayer, "Jehanne," is used to reflect the spelling she herself used as is evident in historical documents and letters attributed to her.

The title, "La Pucelle," is used since this was the only surname Jehanne assigned to herself during her lifetime. The phrase is French for "the Maid."

The phrase, "Jhesus Maria," ends this prayer to recall the battle standard Jehanne carried that bore the same words.

The paragraphs in this prayer are punctuated throughout by five crosses to signify the five crosses that adorned the sword she had recovered from the church altar of Sainte-Catherine-de-Fierbois.

Dear St. Jehanne, my friend and patroness, I humbly ask for your prayers to help me stay chaste in mind, body and spirit, so that my virginity will be as sacred to me as it was to you. Help me abstain from all sexual sin and the harm it causes. Pray that I also may find the right woman to marry and start a family with. May she be beautiful inside and out and may she love me despite my past faults. May I be always in your prayers and may those prayers keep me in the Grace of God; for without God's Grace and your friendship, I would be lost. I love you, Jehanne and I thank you for your past prayers. May I make YOUR pray mine: "If I am not in the Grace of God may HE put me in it; if I am, may it please God to keep me there." Amen!

Prayer for intercession written in 2004

Oh beloved Saint I fly to you and implore your help and protection in this my time of need. Well do you know the graces that I stand in need of, well do you know my failings and my sins.

Glory be to the father…..

Beloved Saint I present to you my petitions and beg you for your intercession on my behalf knowing that you are so beloved of God that he would refuse you nothing.

Here present your petitions………………..

Glory be to the father…….

Beloved Angel of France; You who rose in her time of need and crisis. We are all France who believe with all our hearts upon the trinity and the saving grace of Our Lord Jesus Christ. Rise to my defense beloved Saint and be with me in my time of need.

Beloved Saint defend our Holy Mother the Church!

Glory be to the father………

(Say this three times)

Beloved Saint Jehanne D'Arc by the merits of your cruel martyrdom, hear, and help me!

Saint Michael the Archangel. Defend us in the battle, be our protection against the wickedness and the snares of the Devil. Rebuke him Lord God we humbly beseech thee; Do thou O prince of the heavenly host by the divine power of almighty God cast him into hell, Satan and all the evil spirits who roam the world seeking the ruin of souls.

(Say three times.)

Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, have mercy on us!

Amen

Sainte Jeanne d'Arc, ton martyr est la grande victoire de Dieu sur nos ennemis. Intercède du Royaume des Cieux, pour que nous soyons préservés des guerres contre notre pays et des assauts contre notre foi. Que la France se souvienne qu'elle est la fille aînée de l'Eglise. Seigneur, nous te rendons grâce car Tu as béni notre pays en nous donnant Jeanne d'Arc. Suscite encore de nombreuses vocations pour garder intacte la mission apostolique de la France. Amen.

Holy Saint Jeanne, your martyrdom is a great victory of God upon our enemies. Intercede with the Kingdom of Heaven, so that we may be preserved from wars against our country and assaults against our faith. What France remembers is that she is the elder daughter of the Church. Lord, we return to Your grace for You have blessed our country while giving us Saint Jeanne. Through Your mercy give rise again to many vocations to keep intact the apostolic mission of France. Amen.

Jhesu+Marie

Translated by Sir Richard, Friend of The Maid. May 30^th 2005