At that time, there was a war going on between France and England later to be called the Hundred Years’ War. England had conquered much of France’s territory and the French were in a dire position. With the permission of the king of France, St. Joan led an army into the city of Orleans, which the English had almost captured. In her white, shining armor, this young heroine rode with her banner flying above her. On it were the names of JESUS and MARY. Although an arrow wounded her during the battle, she continued urging her men to victory. At last the French army was victorious. St. Joan and her army moved on to win more and more battles, and the English armies began to retreat.

After the victories, Joan’s time of suffering began. She was captured by the enemy, but the king of France made little effort to save her. She was put in prison and after an unfair trial, was burned at the stake, condemned by her enemies as a witch. Joan was not even twenty and went bravely to her death on May 29, 1431. Her last word was "Jesus." During her life, Joan loved to pray, especially at the shrines of our Blessed Mother. Four hundred and eighty-nine years later, on May 16, 1920, Pope Benedict XV proclaimed Joan a saint.