Joan of Arc, at her trial, 1431
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When I was thirteen years old, I had a voice from God to help me govern my conduct. And the first time I was very fearful. And came this voice, about the hour of noon, in the summer-time, in my father's garden; I had not fasted on the eve preceding that day. I heard the voice on the right-hand side, towards the church; and rarely do I hear it without a brightness. This brightness comes from the same side as the voice is heard. It is usually a great light. When I came to France, often I heard this voice.... The voice was sent to me by God and, after I had thrice heard this voice, I knew that it was the voice of an angel. This voice has always guarded me well and I have always understood it clearly. Joan of Arc, at her trial, 1431
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Images: (above right) from a Fifteenth Century Franco-Flemish book of poems by Charles of Orleans; the angels in the upper right corner are St. Catherine, St. Michael and St. Margaret (above left) ? if you know where this image is from please email me (immediately above) photograph by Joe Beine, © 1996; near the Palace of the Legion of Honor, San Francisco |