For God and Country

by Fr. Michael J. Cerrone

She was thirteen when St. Michael first appeared to her in a vision. Within five years she was rallying a demoralized army, leading the French to a definitive defeat of the English. Captured and imprisoned in England, at nineteen years old she was burned at the stake after a rigged ecclesiastical inquisition falsely charged her with heresy.

Joan of Arc isn't your typical saint. Groomed from her earliest years for a specific mission from God, she responded with indefatigable resolve to liberate her homeland. Her extraordinary, heroic witness led countless souls in religious fidelity to God and compassionate charity to others.

In these pages, you won't simply learn about St. Joan of Arc's mission and accomplishments; you'll humbly meditate on her profound legacy of virtue. You'll discover her heroic and enduring love of God and country a heroism that continues to inspire those who come to know her.

You'll discover how prayer and the Church's sacramental life gave her the strength to overcome a divided nobility, a discouraged army, and the treachery of churchmen in league with the enemy.

With God's grace in her soul, she boldly led battlefield operations, inspiring the king and people of France to fulfill their own mission of restoring themselves as one nation under God.

Today St. Joan remains heavenly engaged in holy war, radiantly and powerfully continuing her witness as a virtuous, victorious virgin against the evil Enemy of souls.

Genres: Biography, Religion, Catholic, History

241 pages, Kindle Edition

First published April 6, 2015

Reviews

[Ed · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book does an excellent job of presenting the only way to really understand Joan. She was a faithful, pious Catholic who wanted to do God's will above all things, she truly communed with saints and angels who guided and advised her, and she was God's instrument in human affairs. Too often, Joan is hijacked by modern writers with a bogus agenda (usually feminists trying to make Joan an image of themselves) or by people who can't bear to admit the reality of the supernatural. Fr. Cerrone masterfully shows Joan as she really was, and also explains the spiritual lessons that we can draw from Joan's deep and practical faith. I have read many, many books about Joan, and this one truly does justice to Joan as a child of God and a patriot.

[Anne Evangelista · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fr. Michael did a fantastic job with this book. I learned so much about my patron saint, Joan of Arc, and very much appreciated having the meditations to think about lessons from different parts of her life after each chapter. It’s wild to see just how much political mess Joan put up with and just how powerful and inspirational she was and remains.

[Kevin Camp · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is clearly written with a Catholic audience in mind. The author himself admits that his purpose is not to write a biography. For committed Catholics, this thin book is justification for Joan's sainthood. Those readers unfamiliar with Catholic doctrine may find this it hard to follow.

Medieval history, with all its twists and turns, claims and counter-claims to the crown is complicated enough, and the reason why I don't really like it. But at least this was a quick read.

[Jeanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an excellent book. Thoroughly enjoyed it & was blessed, this has helped deepen my love for & devotion to St. Joan of Arc. The bonus was the meditation every other chapter. Although I have read a lot of books on St. Joan of Arc, this was NOT just a repeated bio of stuff I'd previously read or heard. Father kept it interesting.

[David · Rating 4 out of 5]

The beautiful life of a beautiful woman. Who would of thought there would be a lot for a modern man to learn from a teenage girl who lead an army in 1429.

+JMJ+

[Cathy · Rating 3 out of 5]

A compelling story but not very well written

[Theresa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well written and comprehensively researched biography of St. Joan of Arc. Includes details of her childhood, transition into a great leader in battle, and tragic martyrdom. Interspersed within the narrative are meditation chapters that give the reader the opportunity to reflect on the most recent narrative chapter in light of Roman Catholic Church teaching, related Saints, and reflection on how we might use this story to improve the way in which we live our lives today. I highly recommend this book to any Christian who desires to learn more about this courageous Saint of France.

[Vance J. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Concise summary of the life (and death) of St. Joan of Arc. An amazing story. I rate it four stars (instead of five) only because of its brevity; but for many people, a brief history may be just what they're looking for!