Season 5 Episode 3
This is perhaps the most important episode in Season 5 thus far. We do not cover much ground in Régine Pernoud’s book, Joan of Arc - Her Story - only a few paragraphs. However, these paragraphs are “saturated” with meaning - to use a phenomenological term. What I share here could make for days of contemplation on the meaning of Joan of Arc’s life and her mission. She has arrived at Orléans with her army. She meets Dunois for the first time. And something happens. Dunois receives a “divine glance” (re: St. Thérèse) or “unreflective certainty” (re: Edith Stein). Dunois is very phenomenologically tuned in to Joan and what she represents just as Jean de Metz was in Vaucouleurs. Certain key people seem to have received the blessing of seeing Joan for what she represented. In the shadow of the field of meaning surrounding her, was “the appearance of Hope appearing.”
As a bonus, I open this discussion with short reading from My Vocation is Love - St. Thérèse’s Way to Total Trust by Jean Lafrance. When I speak of Joan, I am always also speaking of someone else. St. Thérèse! It is through Thérèse’s heart I came to understand Joan. Joan is the Dove and Thérèse is the Rose.
Reflective Question
Can you describe Joan’s meaning in your life using Dunois and Jean de Metz as examples? What is the “appearance of that which is appearing” in your growing understanding of Joan of Arc?
I am also the co-host of the Heroic Hearts podcast with Amy Chase. Heroic Hearts is devoted to a spiritual adventure with St. Joan of Arc and St. Thérèse of Lisieux! Join us on the journey!
Visit Amy’s Substack, The Occidental Tourist.
S5E3 - Joan of Arc's phenomenological appearance at Orléans