The Canonization of The Maid Trivia Quiz

Answer: 409 years

First, it should be said that the purpose of the five-year waiting period is to give some time for emotions to calm a bit. The Pope, however, can waive that requirement, as Pope Benedict XVI did in beginning the canonization process for Pope John Paul II in 2005, and John Paul II did for Mother Theresa in 1999.

While initially the late-coming canonization may surprise readers, it must be remembered that immediately after Joan's death in 1431, the country was still at war with England; Paris (whose university had provided accessors for the trial), and Rouen (where the trial was held) were still in the hands of the enemy. After the conclusion of the Hundred Years War in 1453, it took three more years for the issue of Joan's trial and death to be reexamined. Historically over the course of the subsequent centuries, it might be argued that France (who would press for canonization) and the Church (who would bestow it) had other more urgent matters at hand. While there are examples of the five year waiting period being shortened, there are many cases where the process took much longer. In the case of Thomas More, for example, canonization was given 400 years after his death. It took 707 years for St. Agnes of Prague to be canonized. The theologian, Saint Bede, waited 1,164 years before he was given sainthood.

Answer: Beatification

Beatification is one of the steps in becoming a saint, and is very difficult to achieve. Initially each bishop had the right to beatify; in 1634 Pope Urban VIII made the power exclusively within the jurisdiction of the Pope, and it has been that way ever since. Over time, the practice has changed a bit; when Joan of Arc was beatified, however, four proven miracles were required to even begin the process. Once the beatification process is complete, believers are able to venerate the individual.

This veneration commonly will take place in the area where the person was born and lived, and may not be recognized by all Roman Catholics.

Answer: She saved France.

In order to be blessed by the Catholic Church, four miracles performed by the individual must be proven. If a potential candidate for sainthood founded a religious order, they are given an automatic dispensation for one of the miracles. Joan did not do that, but she did save France.

There is no doubt that the morale of the French army, after suffering defeat after defeat, was rejuvenated by Joan's presence. The army believed in her, and her aggressive tactics worked! The swift victory won at Orleans and subsequent success on the battlefield led to the coronation of the Dauphin as King of France.

Answer: She healed three nuns.

The Roman Catholic Church has established a procedure to determine if and when miraculous events have taken place. The sponsors of the proposed saint are to verify that the miracles actually took place. In the case of Joan of Arc, she was said to have cured three nuns of illnesses. Joan cured the first nun, Sister Thérèse of Saint Augustine, of leg ulcers. This happened in Orleans. Next a cancerous ulcer that was located on the breast of Sister Julie Gauthier of Faverolles was cured. Sister Marie Sagnier of Frages, also was miraculously cured by Joan of Arc. She suffered from stomach cancer. Joan of Arc was beatified on April 8, 1909.

As a side note, the other choices are all reasons why others have been granted sainthood.

Answer: False

Once again, being blessed by the Roman Catholic Church means that it is believed that the deceased could intercede on behalf of people who prayed in their name. Monsignor Leon Cristiani, who later wrote a book, "Saint Joan of Arc", was the witness to such a miracle while he was in Lourdes on August 22nd, 1909.

Therese Belin, ill and unconscious, had the Blessed Sacrament passed before her. Monsignor Cristiani had been given permission to ask for the intercession of Joan of Arc on behalf of this woman in hopes that a miracle would occur. During this time Therese opened her eyes, sat up, and said that she felt she had been cured.

She had been diagnosed with tuberculosis of her lungs and abdominal cavity, as well as a heart malfunction.

Answer: A hole in the foot

The second miracle performed by Joan of Arc was the cure of Miss Mirandelle, who had been diagnosed with "Perforating Plantar Affliction". It is the prerogative of the Roman Catholic Pope to decide if miracles were really - miraculous. Joan was finally canonized on May 16, 1920, at St. Peter's in the Vatican. May 30, which was also the day of her death, was set aside as the feast day of Joan of Arc.

Answer: False

Much has been written about the fact that Charles VII didn't seem to try and help Joan much after her capture and subsequent trial. He stated that he "felt a very bitter grief" after hearing of her death and promised "to exact a terrible vengeance upon the English and women of England".

The biggest problem that he faced was that his country was still at war. Secondly, after Charles did initiate an inquiry into her trial, he found that there could be a problem with asking scholars at the University of Paris to find fault with decisions that had been made by their own colleagues during Joan's trial.

Another obstacle that Charles faced was the fact that Joan had been tried and condemned as a heretic. His association with such a person could seriously taint his reputation. Charles was in a situation where he still needed to be careful.

Answer: Joan's Family

This was, of course, the first step that had to be taken before Joan could even be considered for sainthood. Why? She had been tried and found guilty of heresy. Before anyone could even consider that she was a "servant of God", she had to be exonerated of those charges.

In 1455 the surviving members of Joan's family, her mother, Isabelle, and brothers, Jean and Pierre, enlisted the aid of Cardinal Guillaume d'Estouteville to petition Pope Callixtus III to review Joan's case. The Trial of Rehabilitation took place at Notre Dame Cathedral, and the testimonies of 115 witnesses were heard. At the trial, Joan's mother gave a very impressive speech, stating why her daughter's verdict should be changed. In the end, the hearing found that Joan was innocent of heresy and died as a martyr. Her sentence was annulled; the findings "....We proclaim that Joan did not contract any taint of infamy and that she shall be and is washed clean of such". This is what made it possible for Joan to be proclaimed a "servant of God".

Answer: False

Joan was exonerated of any wrongdoing on July 7, 1456. The summary of the case described "her as a martyr who had been executed by a court which itself had violated Church law". A martyr may be beatified without a proven miracle, but one verified miracle is still necessary before a martyr may be canonized.

Answer: French Revolution

Unfortunately, during the French Revolution many of the remaining relics that were connected to Joan of Arc were destroyed by revolutionaries. Joan was forever connected to the Roman Catholic Church, and the revolution was not only anti-government, but anti-religion as well.

The banner, which she had stated during her trial was her favorite possession, was burned. Another relic connected to Joan of Arc that was burned at the time was a hat that Joan had worn and given to Charlotte Boucher, the young daughter of a family with whom she had stayed in Orleans.

The revolutionary government even banned the annual celebration at Orleans that had been held to honor Joan and melted down a statue of The Maid in order to construct a cannon. Napoleon, realizing that Joan was a popular heroine, lifted the ban and also had coins made with her image.