May 30th is the feast day of Saint Joan of Arc.

St. Joan was twelve years old when God began giving her visions, eventually asking her to help unite France and make Charles VII the rightful king. Despite much tormenting and ridicule, she was able to convince Charles VII to send her into battle during the Hundred Years War, which brought France multiple victories, led to the formal crowning of Charles VII as foretold in her visions, and eventually helped turn the tide for France to be completely sovereign from England. She was later put on trial for heresy, witchcraft, and dressing like a man. When she refused to lie about her faith in God to save herself, she was burned at the stake at age nineteen. Her martyrdom only inspired the people of France all the more and eventually led to their complete freedom from the English.

Here are some simple ways to celebrate:

1. Make a Fleur-de-Lis Pennant 

St. Joan carried a flag that had the fleur-de-lis symbol on it. The stylized lily represented the French monarchy. When St. Joan marched against the English, she carried her flag to represent God’s blessing on her homeland. Later, the three petals of the fleur-de-lis came to represent the Holy Trinity. Make this pennant to remember that God fulfills his promises, as he did to St. Joan.

• Template
• Fabric scissors
• Cream felt
• Mustard/gold felt
• Felt glue

Use the template to cut the fleur-de-lis from the gold felt. Cut the cream felt into a pennant shape. Use scraps of gold felt to line and add ties to the left edge of the pennant; affix with felt glue. Glue the fleur-de-lis pieces in the center of the pennant. 

2. Make a Jhesus, Maria Banner

• Template
• Banner, 10x12 inches (buy blank one or sew your own)
• Fabric markers
• Pencil

“Jhesus, Maria” was St. Joan’s motto, and it was also written on her flag. Use the template to trace out the letters on the banner with pencil. If you want to try your hand at faux calligraphy, try to letter the words onto the banner freehand: for the downstrokes of the letters, outline thick lines; for the upstrokes, outline thin lines. Fill in the lines with the fabric marker. 

3. Enjoy Some French Delicacies

Eat some French croissants or baguettes, or make savory crepes for dinner.

4. Enjoy Some French Delicacies

Write Letters to Soldiers

5. Step into Your Calling

Joan was very courageous and followed where she felt God called her. Take some time to reflect on your own callings.

• What do you think God is calling you to that you are afraid of?
• What is the first step that you could take to step into that calling?
• What are the feelings that come up for you when you think about doing it? Are you afraid, excited, intimidated?
• Invite God into whatever it is that you are feeling, and ask for the courage and resolve to do it.