Joan of Arc is in Orléans! She is the “appearance of hope appearing” for the city of Orléans. Like the French people in general, the citizens of Orléans have been demoralized beyond repair from a natural standpoint. Joan, though, is bringing hope on a supernatural level. And, she begins her exploits that will prove her claims that her mission is divine. The Bastille of Saint-Loup is taken by her forces, followed by the Augustinian. On May 7, 1429 she takes the most important Bastille of them all, Les Tourelles. This frees Orléans and forces the English to pull out entirely from the city.

Her miraculous victory sends shock waves through Europe. Stories become embellished. The truth is inspiring and wonder-filled as it is, but now even these are growing into mythologies. How do we come to understand the true essence of Joan of Arc? How do we come to know her as she presents herself from herself in our lives? We can begin with a correlation of the freeing of Orléans to our own lives. Perhaps we have been freed from a spiritual siege through St. Joan’s intercession and sisterly care. Can we correlate our map of meaning to hers?