St Joan of Arc

[eschator83]

Born in 1412 to pious peasant parents near Lorraine, St Joan reported hearing voices of several Saints and Angels while very young.  In 1428 she was instructed by the voices to go to the King of France and help him recover the Kingship.  Despite widespread and intense opposition, she miraculously persuaded the King and was given a small army, which accomplished a series of spectacular military victories which enabled the King to be crowned at Rheims.  Despite her later capture and execution by the British, King Charles VI ruled until c1440.
St Joan of Arc, please pray for us that we may hear and heed Divine Calls to defend our Church, family, and neighbors.

[CyrilSebastian]

Joan's request to see King Charles VII was rejected twice.   
However, she was finally given an escort to meet Charles at Chinon, France.

[eschator83]

Many thanks for your correction.  I tried to add the last line from memory after I had put the book away.  King Charles Vi died in 1422, and his son had been discouraged from taking the throne because of the English War (Delaney refers to 100 Years War).  Charles VII was crowned in 1429 with Joan at his side.

[Benedict]

When Saint Joan of Arc was asked at the inquisition trial "How do you know that you are in a state of grace?" The Saint replied "If I am not in a state of grace may it please God to put me into a state of grace and if I am in a state of grace may it please God to keep me in a state of grace."
I have used the Saint's response as a prayer many times.

[CyrilSebastian]

The apparent hopelessness of the dauphin's cause at the end of 1427 was increased by the fact that,   
five years after his father's demise, he still had not been crowned.