Joan of Arc is the embodiment of a supernatural union between metaphysics and phenomenology.

Joan of Arc is preparing her army for the march to free Orléans from the English siege. She makes her way from Poitiers to Chinon and then to Tours where she is fitted for armor. Joan requests that a sword be retrieved that sits behind the altar at the church of St. Catherine of Fierbois. However, amidst the preparation we have a rare opportunity to understand more of Joan’s map of meaning. We are looking at Joan for her perspective, and she is showing us God’s perspective. Joan has a very Platonic understanding of France, one that points upward to the social Kingship of Christ and not downward to cultural triumphalism. Joan of Arc is a phenomenon. To understand her more deeply and meaningfully, we need a phenomenological perspective. Joan shows herself to be the embodiment of a supernatural union of metaphysics and phenomenology. Each remains uniquely its own, while Joan unifies them in truth, beauty, and goodness through the grace at work in her.

Joan reveals her Platonic orientation - and it's astonishing.

We are beginning a new season in our discovery of St. Joan of Arc! We are observing her through the lens of Régine Pernoud’s book, Joan of Arc - Her Story. We finished last season with Joan in Poitiers where she successfully won the hearts and minds of the theologians questioning her on behalf of the Dauphin, Charles VII. We discussed how she won these hearts through their phenomenological perception of her being. In season 5 we are preparing to move from Joan convincing others to Joan acting. In episode 1 we begin with the letter she dictated to the English while still in Poitiers. It is an astonishing communication to say the least. Importantly, this is our first opportunity to hear Joan express herself and the meaning of her mission freely. This is not eye-witness testimony; it is Joan herself. The hero of our story is expressing herself as she understands herself in light of the mission given to her by Heaven.

The phenomenological unity of Joan’s character gives us an intuitive sense of truth.

We are in the last stages of Joan’s trial at Poitiers where the Dauphin, Charles VII, hopes to gain assurance about her from his trusted theologians. The closing of the trial and Joan’s triumphant return to Chinon with the blessing of the judges proves remarkable almost beyond compare. In this episode I discuss how it is that Joan of Arc changes the hearts and minds of all the key people involved in her mission. It is a revelation of Hope given through an intuitive sense of truth based on the unity of Joan’s character. The theologians ask for “signs” that they might be convinced. Joan gives no such signs. What she does give them is a phenomenological sense of truth and a revelation of Hope. Joan gives them the phenomenology of her own being which proves to be more persuasive than any material “sign.” A breathtaking contemplation for us!

Joan's story continues to reflect the "appearance of her appearing" in history.

Joan won over the Dauphin, Charles VII. However, she must still be tested by the theologians in Poitiers. In this episode more of Joan of Arc is revealed as history reveals her. We discover yet more mystery. This young seventeen-year-old woman makes a reference to her lasting “one year, hardly more.” What could this mean? Her newly assigned page Louis de Coutes is impressed by her seeming fervent prayers offered in solitude. The ecclesiastical court in Poitiers is equally impressed with Joan’s character and demeanor. “I would really like to have had so fine a daughter,” reflected one member. Most importantly, the historical context of Joan’s life widens a bit more based on her testimony. We learn more about her past, but this is nothing in comparison to the astonishing revelation of what inspired her to begin her project in the first place and venture into danger to see the King.

"Her words put me on fire, inspiring in me a love for her that was, I believe, divine.”

In the previous episode, we learned more about the historical context through which the phenomenon of Joan of Arc appears in history. We still do not know from where she comes originally, nor anything regarding her childhood. However, we do know that she came to Chinon with her troop of six or so soldiers from the loyal outpost of Vaucouleurs in the far northwestern region of now occupied France.

In this episode, for the first time, we learn something about Joan’s essence, that is, about who Joan of Arc really is. One of her most loyal fellow travellers, Jean de Metz, states it as follows:

Every encounter with Joan is like confronting a divine fire. Everywhere she goes and with everyone she meets, Joan overcomes significant skepticism and opposition. She wins them over with this “fire of divine love.” In this episode she begins to win over the dauphin, Charles VII.

St. Joan of Arc is a phenomenon with an astonishing metaphysical vision and mission.

In this episode we are going to witness Catholic metaphysics collide with phenomenology through the person of St. Joan of Arc. Following French historian Régine Pernoud into chapter two of her book, Joan of Arc - Her Story, we stand with the people of Chinon as Joan enters with her troupe. We are curious. Who are they? Who is she? Where did they come from? Why are they here?

We will discover a bit more about St. Joan of Arc such as where she departed to reach Chinon and what the circumstances were surrounding her departure. The listener might be astonished at what we uncover. While Joan still remains a mystery, we nevertheless can sense that transcendent metaphysics and phenomenology are bursting forth through her like the sunlight on the horizon at dawn.

The “appearance of the story appearing” emerges through the mist in that sunlight.

We receive a response to our inquiry about Joan of Arc.

Dunois receives a response to his inquiry about the mysterious maiden crossing France just south of Orléans, the city he is defending during the English siege. The maid is real. The fairytale is true. The legend of France being saved by a maiden from Lorraine manifests in the historical person of Joan of Arc. In order to understand this phenomenon more clearly, Régine Pernoud reveals a little more of the historical context. We are not studying Joan of Arc’s life by obtaining information to derive meaning - we are beginning with the meaning of her life so as to understand the information we want to obtain! Joan is the now the center of our intentionality. She is the reference by which we study the facts around her. We are learning so as to uncover a mystery - the mystery of Joan of Arc.

As Joan emerges from the mist in our hearts, we establish nodes of meaning.

In this episode I help you begin the process of building your “map of meaning” under the inspiring patronage of St. Joan of Arc. We are moving forward in our discussion of the phenomenology of Joan of Arc’s life. However, we have not yet moved from Dunois’ side at the opening of chapter one as he gazes over the Loire river in the direction of a mysterious maiden rumored to be moving across France. Régine Pernoud’s approach to this book is phenomenological, and we see that in real history, Dunois himself received the mystery of Joan of Arc phenomenologically! There is so much packed into the opening paragraphs of chapter one that demands to be explored before moving on. The mystery of Joan of Arc and our inquiry into her will establish the foundation for building a map of meaning to begin interpreting this fairytale-like phenomenon.

Our Lady as the archetype for our phenomenological inquiry into St. Joan of Arc.

In this episode I discuss how to turn our journey on the Trail of the Dogmatic Creed with St. Joan of Arc and St. Thérèse into a living, spiritual rosary for Our Lady. The Blessed Virgin Mary in the Annunciation is the archetype of our own phenomenological inquiry. We pursue Joan through the meadows, over the creeks, across the rivers, and beyond the snow-capped mountains as our guide leading us to Our Lord’s Kingdom in the distance. The Blessed Virgin is our model, and our journey with Thérèse in pursuit of Joan becomes a living spiritual rosary in the Immaculate Heart of Mary as the mystery unfolds.

Understanding St. Joan and St. Thérèse's "states-of-affairs."

In episode 2 I walk you through a more structured approach to our phenomenological journey with St. Joan of Arc and St. Thérèse of Lisieux on the Trail of the Dogmatic Creed. Importantly I introduce you to a concept in St. Teresa Benedicta of the Cross’ (Edith Stein’s) book Finite and Eternal Being. You will learn about describing St. Joan and St. Thérèse’s “states-of-affairs” as meaningful phenomena in your life. Typically we study them as “objects” with historical dates, characteristics, achievements, writings, and such. However, we want to begin describing them as we receive them phenomenologically. I’ll walk you through how to get started!