What are the virtues which the life of Saint Joan of Arc presents to our imitation? They are many.
First, her simplicity, which, when founded on religion, is a virtue most priceless - one which has always distinguished the holiest souls. Saint Joan knew herself to have been chosen for a mission, wonderful in itself, but still more wonderful in that an inexperienced and unlettered peasant maiden should have been selected to do that which the great ones of earth had failed to accomplish. No doubt the Maid marveled at her visions and Voices, but she accepted and believed them, even as her dear Mother, Our Lady, had meekly avowed herself to be the handmaid of the Lord.
Second, her discretion. Saint Joan was but a child when the Voices first came to her. It would have been natural for her, even though she had been warned against it, to have revealed what she had seen and heard to some of her companions, to her mother, most likely of all to the priest of the village. But, hke the Virgin Mother, she "kept all these things in her heart," until the time had arrived to act upon them, in behalf of her country and her king.
Third, her piety, cheerful and unobtrusive. There is a piety, sincere no doubt, but of a nature that can almost be called offensive. It is that which goes about with a face severe and averted from all things worldly, even the most innocent pleasures. Not such was the piety of Saint Joan. She loved to pray, in the church before the Blessed Sacrament, at her bedside night and morning, in the grounds of the old chateau where she frequently walked, telling her beads, and where, it is said, the divine call first came to her. But, though never boisterous, she was always cheerful, even gay with her companions, joining in their innocent sports, sharing their labors and their rambles, making herself one with them in every way.
Fourth, her humility. Never by look, word, or action, is it recorded, that Saint Joan considered her exceptional vocation to have been accorded her through any merit of her own. Humble and respectful to her superiors, entirely unconscious with, her equals that she was different from them in any particular, she went on her appointed way without a trace of any pride but that true pride which is self-respect.
Fifth, her obedience. Her chroniclers say that never once did Saint Joan disobey her parents, save on one occasion, when they wished to arrange for her a marriage which she refused to consider. She knew well that marriage and family and household joys were never to be hers. A willing instrument in the hands of God to perform His behests, the Maid had no thought but to obey the commands He had imposed upon her. For a long time after she had revealed her mission to her father and mother she was forbidden to leave home and seek the King as she had been told to do. And she obeyed them, until, having obtained their consent, however reluctant, she set forth for Vaucouleurs. When her wearisome attempt to see and tell Robert Baudricourt of her mission had resulted only in his displeasure and contempt - he had angrily told her cousin to take her back to her parents - Saint Joan turned meekly once more to Domremy, obedient, but neither discouraged nor dismayed.
Sixth, her modesty and purity. Never had saint or heroine more relentless or vile traducers than Saint Joan, but her character was perhaps not more than once assailed. Pure and fair as a lily, she mingled in the camps and on the battle-fields with rough, warlike and often vicious men, but her purity covered her as with a shining mantle, and the lowest among them looked upon her as an angel, or a maiden but a little lower than the angel.
Seventh, her heroic courage.
Unused to courts, or camps, or battle-fields.
She fought as one unto the manner born.
And, scattering bloody hosts, raised, undismayed.
Her pure, white standard, that last cruel morn;
Nor faltered - though sore wounded - till they came.
A cruel hand dragged her from her horse,
Her head erect still, and her eyes aflame
E'en while they carried her, with savage force,
Into captivity.
This heroism supported the Maid through the long, weary months of her imprisonment; through the mockery of her trial, through the agony of her awful death.
Eighth, her marvelous self-possession, which, though a desirable quality and not in itself a virtue, may become so when called into play under persecution or injustice. Saint Joan was endowed with this attribute to a remarkable degree. It enabled her to confront courtiers and kings without fear or confusion, to perform wonders on the fields of battle, to marshal, arrange, and preserve those faculties so essential to one in her position, to defy and confuse her foes and accusers. It aided her to parry their attacks and demonstrate their falseness and treachery to future generations - to the world, which, after six hundred years, stands amazed at her cleverness and success in meeting and overthrowing their futile arguments - the world, which, wondering that for centuries her cause should so long have lain in abeyance, has finally had the triumph and happiness of seeing her placed by the Church among those who are known as the saints of God.
Ninth, her charity and spirit of forgiveness. Denounce some of the most despicable of her enemies Saint Joan did; but for the King who had deserted her, the false priests who had persecuted her, the judges who had condemned her the Maid asked forgiveness with her latest breath, thus imitating her Saviour, who, dying on the cross, commended His murderers to the mercy of His heavenly Father.
The lesson of Saint Joan's short, chequered young life is one that may be read with profit by maids and matrons, youths and men of years mature. To few has it been vouchsafed to be so set apart for God's instrument in the fulfillment of His decrees. But each and all can, within the limits of their calling, and capacity, follow in the footsteps of one whose virtues, though transcendent, are those which may shine and blossom in every Christian soul.
O Blessed Maid, who conquered death,
Thy brave and blameless years
Have taught that Life's supremest breath
Is drawn through toils and tears.
Brighter the skies above thee shine
As centuries roll by;
Slain, not for dreams, but Truth Divine -
The Truth that can not die!
On the 16th of May, 1920, Pentecost Sunday, Saint Joan of Arc was formally canonized in Rome. The occasion was one of great edification and splendor, citizens of all nations being present in great numbers, French of course preponderating. One hundred and forty descendants of the ancient d'Arc family attended. What pride and gratification must they not all have felt, when she, whose cause for 400 years had been slowly pressing to the front was at last proclaimed a Saint by universal Christian acceptance of her heroic sanctity.
Saint Joan of Arc - Pray for us.
- taken from A Child's Life of Saint Joan of Arc, by Mary Ellen Mannix