St. Joan of Arc, the Maid of Orleans and one of many patronesses of France!

She did so much for her country, and in such a short time span.  If we had a few Joans of Arc in our modern societies, how much better would we be off?

The Modern Medievalist has a good reflection, “Is your civilization worth dying for?“, written after the November Paris bombings by Muslim terrorists.  Definitely well-worth a read, if you haven’t seen it before.

The Collect for Joan’s feast day is as follows.

“O God, Who didst raise up the Blessed Maiden Jeanne to defend Faith and fatherland, grant to us, we beseech Thee, by her intercession, that Thy Church, overcoming the snares of the enemy, may rejoice in a perpetual peace. Through Our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.”

She is one of nine secondary patron saints of France, alongside St. Denis, St. Martin of Tours, St. Louis, St. Michael, St. Remi, St. Petronilla, St. Radegund, and St. Therese of Lisieux.  (It looks like Our Lady of the Assumption is the primary patroness).