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The Combined Hearts

Words

What Thérèse wrote for Joan

Two plays, a canticle for the canonization, a last poem from the dark, and the letter that names the kingdom of hearts.

8 May 1894

Canticle to Obtain the Canonization of the Venerable Joan of Arc

Written by St. Thérèse of Lisieux, dedicated to her sister Céline.

  1. 1

    God of hosts, the whole Church soon wishes to honor at the altar a martyr, a warrior virgin, whose sweet name resounds in Heaven.

  2. 2

    A conqueror for guilty France — no, that is not the object of her desire. Joan alone is capable of saving it. All heroes weigh less than a martyr!

  3. 3

    Lord, Joan is Your splendid work, a heart of fire, a warrior's soul: You gave them to the timid virgin whom You wished to crown with laurels.

  4. 4

    In her humble meadow Joan heard Voices from Heaven calling her into combat. She left to save her country. The sweet child commanded the army.

  5. 5

    She won over the souls of proud warriors the Divine luster of Heaven's messenger. Her pure gaze, her fiery words were able to make bold brows give way.

  6. 6

    By a prodigy unique in history, people then saw a trembling monarch regain his crown and his glory by means of a child's weak arm.

  7. 7

    It is not Joan's victories we wish to celebrate this day. My God, we know her true glories are her virtues, her love.

  8. 8

    By fighting, Joan saved France. But her great virtues had to be marked with the seal of suffering, with the divine seal of Jesus her Spouse!

  9. 9

    Sacrificing her life at the stake, Joan heard the voice of the Blessed. She left this exile for her homeland. The savior Angel re-ascended into Heaven.

  10. 10

    Joan, you are our only hope. From high in the Heavens, deign to hear our voices. Come down to us, come convert France. Come save her a second time.

  11. 11

    Chasing the English out of all France, Daughter of God, how beautiful were your steps! But remember that in the days of your childhood you tended only weak lambs.

  12. 12

    Sweet martyr, our monasteries are yours. You know well that virgins are your sisters, and like you the object of their prayers is to see God reign in every heart.

  13. 13

    Fear will be banished from every heart when we shall see the Church crown the pure brow of Joan our Saint, and then we shall be able to sing:

Our hope rests in you, Saint Joan of France, Pray, pray for us!

May 1897

To Joan of Arc

Written in Thérèse's last months, during her trial of faith, as she identified with Joan waiting in the dungeon.

When the Lord God of hosts gave you the victory,

You drove out the foreigner and had the king crowned.

Joan, your name became renowned in history.

Our greatest conquerors paled before you.

But that was only a fleeting glory.

Your name needed a Saint's halo.

So the Beloved offered you His bitter cup,

And, like Him, you were spurned by men.

At the bottom of a black dungeon, laden with heavy chains,

The cruel foreigner filled you with grief.

Not one of your friends took part in your pain.

Not one came forward to wipe your tears.

Joan, in your dark prison you seem to me

More radiant, more beautiful than at your King's coronation.

This heavenly reflection of eternal glory,

Who then brought it upon you? It was betrayal.

Ah! If the God of love in this valley of tears

Had not come to seek betrayal and death,

Suffering would hold no attraction for us.

Now we love it; it is our treasure.