St. Joan of Arc Novena

he feast day of Saint Joan of Arc is traditionally celebrated on May 30th as it was the day that she was burned at the stake in Rouen, France; but of course, you can pray through her strong intercession any time!

Since the creation of her feast day, Saint Joan of Arc has been one of the most popular saints in the history of the Catholic Church. It actually took more than 400 years after her death until she was canonized by Pope Benedict XV in 1920.

Saint Joan, also known as the Maid of Heaven, is often invoked for strength and courage, which she herself exemplified throughout her life as she followed God’s direction and led the French army to several victories during the Hundred Years War.

About St. Joan of Arc

Saint Joan of Arc was born on January 6, 1412 to very pious parents in Domremy, France. At a very early age, she heard the voice of God in her father’s garden, followed later by hearing the voices of Saint Michael, St. Catherine and St. Margaret. These voices told her to go to the King of France to help him reconquer France’s liberty.

After much opposition, Saint Joan was finally given a small army that raised a siege at Orleans. This was the first of many battles that the French army won by her leadership and guidance. Furthermore, those victories led to the coronation of Charles VII, which was a central part of her mission.

After King Charles VII’s coronation, however, Saint Joan was captured and sold to the British, who only saw her as a heretic. The British put her on trial, and after refusing to retract her statements that the voices she heard were from the saints of God, the British then convicted and sentenced her to burn at the stake. She was condemned to death as a heretic, sorceress and adulteress. She was nineteen years old.

“I fear nothing for God is with me,” she said.

When she was being burned at the stake, she asked someone to make a small crucifix which she put in the top of her dress, while a priest held one up for her to look at as she died. Witnesses said she met her fate with composure and bravery.

Many stories assert that Saint Joan of Arc’s heart did not burn with the rest of her body, and that the English ultimately threw her remains and ashes into the Seine River so there wouldn’t be any relics.

Traditional St. Joan of Arc Novena Prayers

Opening prayer:

Eternal Father, you gave us Saint Joan of Arc through your infinite love and mercy for us. We humbly ask that you send down your Holy Spirit upon us, as Your Spirit is the intermediary by which the Word goes forth from your lips and reaches the ears of the faithful. Allow me to be a witness to your Son Jesus Christ just as St. Joan of Arc was. Oh, Jesus, grant me the courage to do your will, that I may be in one accord with our Father in Heaven. I thank you for the gift of your love, which I hope to one day fully understand.

Petition Prayer:

Say 19 Our Fathers, followed by “St. Joan of Arc, by your powerful intercession, hear and answer me.”

When you finish, say the following prayer:

Saint Joan of Arc, patron of France, my patron saint, I ask you now to fight this battle with me by prayer, just as you led your troops to victory in battle. You, who were filled with the Holy Spirit and chosen by God, help me this day with the favor I ask

[here say your intention].

Grant me by your divine and powerful intercession, the courage and strength I need to endure this constant fight. Oh St. Joan, help me to be victorious in the tasks God presents to me.

I thank you and ask you for your continuing protection of God’s people.

Closing Prayer:

Sweet Saint Joan, plead for me before the throne of almighty God that I may be deemed worthy to be granted the request I have asked. Help me, Saint Joan, to be more like you in the attempt to love the Lord with all my heart, soul, and mind. Through your guidance and prayer help me to be a truly devout and loving Christian, that I may both know and see the will of God. Help me now St. Joan, in my time of need. I ask that you may always be near me guiding me closer each day to Jesus. Thank you Saint Joan for having heard my prayer.

Amen.

Patronages

Saint Joan of Arc stood by her convictions and her faith, and led the French to freedom. She is the patron saint of:

Martyrs
Captives
Militants
Prisoners
Soldiers
Rape victims
Women in the army
France