People who risk, who stand up, who fight, who take chances,
who put their lives on the line.

Who isn’t inspired by courage?

I particularly love this quote that is attributed to Saint Joan of Arc, a young girl who carried a banner along the French Army and was tried for heresy and unjustly put to death.

When I need courage, I remember her words.

I was BORN to do this.

This is a medal of St. Joan, a replica of a vintage piece from the early 1900’s.

She was tried for heresy in the 1400’s. The trial record contains statements from Joan which the eyewitnesses later said astonished the court, since she was an illiterate peasant.

In the most famous exchange, she was asked if she knew she was in God’s grace. Her answer was:

“If I am not, may God put me there; and if I am, may God so keep me.’

The question was a trap. Church doctrine held that no one could be certain of being in God’s grace. If she had answered yes, then she would have been charged with heresy. If she had answered no, then she would have confessed her own guilt.

She had the courage to face her persecutors with strength and dignity.

She knew what she was born to do.

(This one decade rosary featuring St. Joan of Arc is available at maryclareart.etsy.com)