The Catholic bulletin. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1911-1995, 1920-06-26

if the French are the first to profit by
it, it will be for the happiness of all
friends of France, for the figure of
Joan of Arc is such that it cannot
be understood without the light of
the supernatural
Without this light there would be
too much that is inexplicable in a girl
who was faced with all the undertak-
lngs of war but who was not hindered
either by her youth or her girlhood.
IT, on the other hand, one remembers
that Joan had no thought, said no
word, did no act, from natural motive
or caprice, but was moved to do all
she did by the sense of her supernat-
ural or, to use a better phrase, by the
very voice of God, then one cannot
but fall down in admiration of this
young Virgin, chosen directly by God
as His envoy and messenger. Not
only that but the admiration for Joan
of Arc must go to the length of recog-
nizing that she could not act other
wise than she did and that it was be-
cause she acted as she must that she
has become saint.
Secret of Her Sanctity.
Thus we have shown naturally
almost inVOluntarily, one might say
the secret of the Sanctity of Joan
We are not sorry to have done so for
it brings us back to what we said
before, that the Decree of CanoniZa-
tion of the Maid of Orleans contains
lesson that the Church has to teach
all its children for their spiritual prog
ress. How often, beloved children,
have you heard it said that the Chris
tian must follow the voice of God
That is to say that he must follow
and practice the precepts which the
Lord lays down for him either direct
ly or through those who represent his
authority, for the commandments of
God and of the Church are so many
voices of the Lord. But inasmuch as
teaching by example is always the
most eloquent, very often God raises
privileged souls in whom the observ-
ance Of the Divine precepts is more
No1AIlhuouo SOllSld lllOlS SSuSI-
Gus and universal. Among these souls
appears today radiant the figure of
Joan of Arc who allowed the voice of
God to lead her in every thing and
every place.
No need to say more to poirt out
the lesson in the moral order that the
Church has just given with the Decree
of CanoniZation of Joan of Arc. But
we must express the hope that all
to whom it has been brought will
profit by it for the sanctifcation of
their souls. This hope we express in
special manner for our beloved chill
dren of France, for unless they OBJ
serve this lesson they can never at
tain that happiness which we ardently
desire for them, and because we be-
| lieve that Saint Joan of Arc herself
| in Heaven desires above all things
that her example may draw her peo-
pie to good.
How often on the lips of the French
| people who have come to us these
days has been the hope and prayer
that the celebrations of the canoniza-
ton of Joan of Arc may help to in
crease the glory and the happiness
of France. This hope and prayer we
make ours too, both for the French
nation and every single French per.
son. But, in order that this common
desire may be attained we add to it
the Apostolic Benediction which shall
be at the same time witness of Our
benevolence and pledge of Divine ia
vOrs.
Prayer for France.
20 Lord Almighty who, to save
France, spoke one day to Joan anG
with Your very voice showed her the
way to follow to put an end to the
troubles with which her country was
afflicted, speak again today not only
to the French people present here bu
also to those who can only be here
in spirit and-better still-to all who
have at heart the good of France
Speak, Lord, and may Your word bt
the blessing to uphold the Bishop:
and may it facilitate for the authori
tIeS, Wuose WoIlHy Representatives W.
greet here today, the charge of ensur
ing the true greatness of the country
: may it bring home to all the Frencl
: people the need of following the voic'
of God that it may be given to all
/ after having followed the example o
f Joan of Arc down here, to share on
| day in the glory of the heroine befor
J whom we have the joy of kneelin