St. Joan of Arc
Patron Saint of Soldiers and France
During the Hundred Years’ War, fought between England and France, Joan was born in 1412 to parents of the French peasant class in the village of Domremy. From an early age, she heard the voices of St. Michael, St. Catherine of Alexandria, and St. Margaret. At the age of thirteen, these three saints told Joan to drive the English out of France, after over 80 years of war. When she was just sixteen years old, Joan joined the French army. With divine assistance, Joan led the French army to many victories. However, she was captured by the English. The English, recognizing her importance to French morale, tried her as a heretic in a sham trial and she was condemned to death in 1431. Today, St. Joan of Arc is a patron saint of France and is portrayed throughout French film, literature, and art.