Saint Joan of Arc (1431)

She is known as the Maid of Orleans. Her fame has spread to every corner of the world. She was a young shepherd girl in France, who, at the command of three saints, took up arms and led a French army against English invaders of France who were threatening to destroy its culture and its freedom. Saint Joan of Arc was only seventeen years old at this time. She was later captured and martyred by the English. Because her martyrdom occurred, according to detail, for secular reasons, she is given the title of virgin, and not martyr. She died in 1431, when she was nineteen years old. She is the patroness of France. Saint Denis is its patron. Saint Genevieve is the patroness of Paris. The voices of three saints led Saint Joan of Arc to go to battle as a young girl to save her country from dishonor. These were the voices of Saint Michael the Archangel, Saint Catherine of Alexandria and Saint Margaret of Antioch. The last word Saint Joan of Arc spoke was the Holy Name of Jesus, as she was being burned to death. Saint Pius X espoused her cause for canonization. Pope Benedict XV canonized her in the year 1920.

Saint Joan of Arc, oil on parchment, from 1450 to 1500 (source)

Saint Joan of Arc, oil on parchment, from 1450 to 1500 (source)