Timeline
Four centuries, one fire
From Domrémy to the co-patronage of France. Filter by Joan, by Thérèse, or by the years their stories touch.
c. 1412
Joan is born at Domrémy
A peasant girl of Lorraine, she will hear the voices of St. Michael, St. Catherine, and St. Margaret calling her to save France.
1429
Orléans and Reims
Joan lifts the siege of Orléans and stands in Reims Cathedral as Charles VII is crowned — the mortal king she was sent to restore.
30 May 1431
The stake at Rouen
Betrayed, tried, and burned. She dies with the name of Jesus on her lips. The Church will reverse the verdict in 1456.
2 January 1873
Thérèse is born at Alençon
The last of the Martin daughters. She will enter the Carmel of Lisieux at fifteen and become, in hiddenness, a warrior of love.
Childhood
A girl reads of Joan
Reading the heroines of France, especially Joan, Thérèse feels the same burning zeal. God shows her that her glory will be to become a great saint — unseen.
9 April 1888
Thérèse enters Carmel
Instead of voices calling her to combat, she hears a gentler and stronger voice calling her to other exploits: the kingdom of hearts.
6 January 1894
The first play
Thérèse writes and performs The Mission of Joan of Arc, or The Shepherdess of Domrémy Listening to Her Voices, playing Joan herself for the feast of her sister, Mother Agnes.
27 January 1894
Joan declared Venerable
Pope Leo XIII introduces Joan's cause. France keeps a national Year of Joan of Arc. Thérèse's uncle had given the Carmel Wallon's history of Joan, which she uses to write.
8 May 1894
The Canticle
On the day proposed as a national holiday for Joan, Thérèse writes her Canticle to Obtain the Canonization of Joan of Arc, dedicated to Céline: Come save France a second time.
21 January 1895
The second play
Joan of Arc Accomplishing Her Mission — the victories, the captivity, the martyrdom, and the heavenly triumphs. Thérèse again takes the title role.
January–March 1895
Photographed as Joan
Céline photographs Thérèse five times in the sacristy courtyard, in a gold-paper costume over her Carmelite habit, as Joan — and as Joan in chains. The only photographs of a canonized saint playing another saint.
1897
The dark dungeon
In her trial of faith, dying of tuberculosis, Thérèse writes To Joan of Arc. She feels united to Joan waiting in prison. Betrayal, darkness, and a love that still believes.
30 September 1897
Thérèse dies at twenty-four
Her last words: My God, I love You. Joan's cause is still unfinished. The two hearts have not yet been named together by the Church.
16 May 1920
Joan is canonized
Pope Benedict XV canonizes Joan — one day after the date on which Thérèse herself would later be raised to the altars in 1925.
17 May 1925
A new Joan of Arc
Thérèse is canonized by Pius XI. The next day he tells French pilgrims that she is a new Joan of Arc.
3 May 1944
Co-patronesses of France
Pope Pius XII names Thérèse secondary patron of France, equal in that honor to Joan. The Virgin Mary remains principal patron. The Combined Hearts are, at last, named together over the same country.
19 October 1997
Doctor of the Church
St. John Paul II declares Thérèse a Doctor of the Church — the youngest, and one of only a handful of women. The little way is taught to the whole world as a path of arms.