St Jehanne d’Arc
The life, martyrdom and ongoing presence of St Joan of Arc — burnt at the stake in Rouen, still incandescent centuries later. (5 min read)
I had lunch with Saint Jehanne d’Arc in Rouen today. It was pizza. She didnt complain even though I chose a cafe close to the site of her execution. I know she has a lot on her plate but her energy was gentle and loving, except when I asked for her help with something. Then she was strong and loving. This was a good day and fine start to the pilgrimage.
Rouen is in Normandy, France. It is a pleasant 1.5 hour trip on the train from Paris. Rouen is picturesque, with many medieval buildings and some pretty awesome monuments, including the cathedral painted in so many different lights by Claude Monet. There are lots of young people in the town, so it has a relaxed and cool vibe about it. There are many pastry shops and other stores with delicious things and a couple of small museums and important churches.
There are several places in France that are connected with Jehanne d’Arc. The most obvious are Domremy (where she was born), Orleans (where she lead the French army to victory against the British which gave momentum to her purpose), Rheims (where the Dauphin assumed the French crown because of her efforts) and Rouen (where she was imprisoned, tried for heresay and other matters and burnt at the stake). I felt like there was no choice other than Rouen for this pilgrimage.
Maybe you want a bit of background on Jehanne? She was psychic, principally clairaudient, and had ongoing dialogue with Archangel Michael and two early Christian martyers (St Catherine and St Margaret). She was the recipient of great assistance from the spirit world, with several prophecies and miraculous events involving her, particularly in battle. At sixteen she could no longer ignore the demands of spirit to lead the French army to victory against the English and to restore the French crown to the dauphin. She had some challenges initially in getting the French army to listen to her, but her spiritual gifts, particularly prophecy, ultimately got her a hearing and soldiers. In the telling of her story, much is made of her virginity (“La Pucelle”, “the Maid of Orleans”) and also her attire (as a soldier she wore men’s clothing and cut her hair short). Jehanne was responsibile for some remarkable military victories and won great love from the soliders and commoners. She spooked the British army. She survived some serious wounding and other incidents.
Ultimately Jehanne was captured and subject to an unfair trial. The transcript of the trial, which went on for months, is fascinating because Jehanne is clearly in channel. For an illiterate peasant, her answers are precise and often brilliant. However, many wanted to prove her a witch/heretict. The whole thing was a sham and while she was initially freed on certain conditions, the British ensured she could not abide by them and she was ultimately convicted and burnt at the stake in the market place in Rouen. As Jehanne was executed her eyes were focused on a crucifix and she called for her saints to intercede and for Jesus. Many were moved by her forgiveness and piety.
It is said that Jehanne’s heart and entrails did not burn and became crystalised. Along with her bones, these were thrown into the River Seine, so that there would be no relics. There is no burial site for Jehanne, only the place where she was murdered.
The charges against Jehanne were rescinded after her death but she was not canonised until 500 years later in the early 20th century (the result of many French soldiers seeking her assistance during the first world war). Now the French have a public holiday in her honour. However, in Rouen (unlike Orleans), Jehanne was largely forgotten until the late 19th century.
In some ways, Jehanne is the least tangible of all the good spirits on my pilgrimages. There are no contemporary images of her. There are no mortal remains. Even the precise spot on which she died is approximate, but the site of her murder in Rouen is as close as I can get to her. So today this is where I put all the crystal rosaries to be charged. Of course, I also invoked her and asked her to help and felt it immediately.
The transcript of Jehanne’s trial gives us access to her voice and this is very real. And it gives us a great example of the importance of listening to the inner voice and the spirits and following one’s purpose with such certainty, even though, in a third dimensional sense, it leads to our demise. While we have all heard of her, It is surprising that this issue is not better understood and applauded. Maybe some day Jehanne d’Arc will have a basilica to rival the other saints and this will symbolise an expansion of consciousness in this direction?
Namaste.
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