To my sisters and brothers, as we continue our reflections, prayers and blessings in our Cloud of Witness I am honored to offer you some history of a most important saint, St. Joan of Arc. Joan of Arc was steadfast in her belief in her calling and she endured betrayal from clergy, coercion, and intimidation as well, that culminated in her most horrible death. Her story, reminds me that most of us in our communities have experienced forms of intimidation, rejection and certainly a great deal of mocking, but thankfully not horrible deaths! I believe Joan of Arc is an example of a courageous woman so resolute in her faith that we have much to learn from her.
Here is an overview of herstory.
“St. Joan of Arc was born at Domrémy, France circa 6 January 1412. Citing a mandate from God to drive the English out of France, she was eventually given an escort to bring her before Charles of Ponthieu (later known as King Charles VII). After gaining the approval of the Church scholars at Poitiers in March of 1429, she was granted titular command of an army which quickly lifted the siege of Orléans on 8 May 1429, captured Jargeau, Meung-sur-Loire, and Beaugency in mid-June, and defeated an English army at Patay on June 18. After accepting the surrender of the city of Troyes and other towns, the army escorted Charles to the city of Rheims for his coronation on July 17. An unsuccessful attack was made on Paris on September 8, followed by the successful capture of St-Pierre-le-Moutier on November 4. As a reward for her service, Charles VII granted her noble status along with her family on 29 December 1429. She returned to the field the following year, despite predicting her own defeat. Captured at Compiègne on 23 May 1430 and transferred to the English, she was placed on trial in Rouen by a selected group of pro-English clergy, many of whom nevertheless had to be coerced into voting for a guilty verdict. Convicted and executed on 30 May 1431, she was subsequently declared innocent by an Inquisitorial court on 7 July 1456 after a lengthy re-trial process which was initiated shortly after the English were finally driven from Rouen, thereby allowing access to the documents and witnesses associated with her trial. The presiding Inquisitor, Jean Bréhal, ruled that the original trial had been tainted by fraud, illegal procedures, and intimidation of both the defendant and many of the clergy who had taken part in the trial, and she was therefore described as a martyr by the Inquisitor. After the usual lengthy delay associated with the sluggish process of canonization, she was beatified on April 11, 1909 and canonized as a saint on 16 May 1920.”
http://www.joanofarc.info/
One of St. Joan’s replies to the ecclesiastical judges of Rouen:
"Everything I have said or done is in the hands of God. I commit myself to Him! I certify to you that I would do or say nothing against the Christian faith." Virginia Frohlick stjoan@nmia.com
A Prayer for Bishop Elect Joan Houk
Creator God we give you thanks for Joan, a woman of great courage, compassion and dignity called to be a bishop in our prophetic community. Keep her strong and give her every grace as she continues to offer her many gifts in service to all the people of God. Like St. Joan she has endured much, and as a result held firm in her faith and determination when she said, “we need to take a stand for women” who “are the image of God”. She said with conviction around the time of her ordination, “this is really why I have to do what I am doing.”
During this most sacred season of Lent help us remain firm in our faith and resolve to endure the challenges before us, as we like Joan Houk lead with boldness, not with blood and sword, but with love, non-violence and compassion in service to the all the People of God. Amen
Please enjoy this lovely ballad that honors Joan of Arc and also reminds us of the courage and leadership of Joan Hoak.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yHcSxeVFAPE
Blessings and light to you Joan, and all our sisters and brothers on the Holy Road.
Jim Lauder, RCWP Canada West
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