‘Joan of Arc, Emmanuele Macron ‘Symbol of Hope.’

‘Joan of Arc Symbol of Hope.’

Joan of Arc saved France and became a legend, heroine, martyr and saint. As the patron saint of France, Joan is an enduring symbol of French nationalism and unity.

Joan of Arc (1412-1431) was the daughter of a farmer and village official who had a minor role collecting taxes. They lived in the eastern part of France in an isolated area. Joan did not know how to read or write, but she had been instilled with a deep love for the Catholic Church and its teachings. When Joan was 13, she started to hear voices and see visions of saints, which she resolved were from God giving her a very important mission: to save France and expel its English enemies and restore Prince Charles’ legitimacy and make him king. Part of her divine mission included taking a vow of chastity. When she was 16, her father attempted to choose a husband for her, but she convinced the court that she should not be forced to accept the match.

According to popular prophecy, the virgin was to save France. Joan claimed to be the virgin and attracted followers. She tried to get an audience with Prince Charles, but that proved to be difficult, so she cut her hair and dressed like a man and made her way to the Prince’s court.  When Joan was finally recieved by Charles, he asked for tangible proof that she could fulfill the prophecy. Joan spoke of Charles’ intimate prayer thereby convincing him. A few days earlier,Charles had begged God to grant him a sign of legitimacy. He had received the sign he sought from Joan as only a messenger of God could know the information Joan had.

Charles put together an army. Joan’s presence transformed the soldiers: she boosted their morale with her confidence and resolve. Dressed in white armour and riding a white horse, Joan and the army set off to defeat the English. Despite having been wounded by an arrow in her neck, she ended a yearlong siege in the town of Orleans in just four days. After what seemed to be a miraculous victory, Joan’s reputation spread among French forces. Several quick victories followed for Joan and the French forces. . She then cleared the way to Reims, along with her followers, through enemy territory to Reims where Charles was coronated king.  Joan had a profound effect on the forces. She advised the commanders, who believed her advice was divinely inspired. Their decisions were based on her advice and proved to be very successful.

Joan wanted to retake Paris, but Charles was against it. Joan had become very powerful, but enemy forces had strengthened their positions in Paris, and Joan was turned back. In Joan’s final battle at Compiegne, she was defeated by the English and delivered to their hands. Sent to trial, the judge tried to discredit Joan in the eyes of her countrymen. To the English, the abilities of this uneducated peasant girl were proof she was possessed by the Devil. The idea that God would be on the side of the French was not acceptable to the English. The judge wanted to provide the English with a forced and fraudulent confession that Joan’s voices -and the angel that had guided her to her victories, was not God’s archangel Michael, but the fallen angel Lucifer. She was charged with heresy, witchcraft and dressing like a man. The French king Charles never made any attempt for her release and betrayed her.

Joan’s resistance was heroic and she challenged her judges, she never gave up her fighting spirit. They were unable to force a confession from her for one year, until finally under threat of death, she relented and signed a confession that she had never received divine guidance.  Days later, she defied her captors and dressed in men’s clothes again. The authorities condemned her to death and at the age of 19, she was burned at the stake.

Joan’s death instilled courage in French forces and her victory in Orleans had paved the way for the final victory of the French. King Charles successfully returned to the battlefield capturing major cities that were under English rule. Twenty years later, Charles convened an inquiry to review Joan’s trial. Her unjust condemnation was declared null and void and she was declared innocent in 1456.

Joan’s truth is a symbol of hope for all of us. Her symbol invokes a commitment to action and that what we believe has been lost –can be found.

‘On France, Hope and Confidence.’

With Emmanuele Macron´s victory over Marine Le Pen, vowing to unite the fractured country, he is a sign of hope for France, for all of Europe and perhaps all democracies. With no experience of elected political office, nor major established political party backing him, his improbable victory as the new President of France, is refreshing. He promises liberal reform in France and a more social Europe. But he faces many problems in his country: almost forty percent of the population feel marginalized by globalization, high unemployment, terrorist attacks, economic stagnation, and many people who are against the constant waves of immigrants.

Macron has inspired people from all walks of life in his country, thanks to his grassroots devotees, who describe him as being neither from the left nor the right. People feel that he really does have their interests at heart.

Macron who calls himself “a convert to feminism” is married to Brigitte Trogneux. Their unconventional love story is powerful, and his wife has been his political advisor throughout his career. He has now given her a meaningful role in his administration, a staff and a budget, but she will receive no salary. Her main work will be for autistic and disadvantaged children and education reform.

Macron had pledged a commitment to equal pay for women in public and private sectors and maternity leave for every woman. He is off to a good start by keeping his promise that half of his party’s ‘En Marche!,’ candidates will be women for the country’s next parliamentary elections.

Check out this article in the ‘Huffington Post:‘ ‘Meet France’s New First Lady, Brigitte Trogneux. “She’s not Madame Macron.”‘

Thanks readers,

Ms. Darcy.

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