Welcome to the highly anticipated matchup between the Wednesday Warrior Women! Today Joan of Arc, the young soldier/saint, faces Catherine Booth, preacher and driving force behind the formation of the Salvation Army. See...warriors.
Yesterday, in a hotly contested matchup -- the closest battle so far this year -- Melangell held Hermione at bay 52% to 48% to advance to the next round. This marks the first time a Saintly Sixteen battle has been finalized as Melangell will square off against Camillus de Lellis.
Please also note that at about 8:30 pm EST, the Lent Madness Voter Security Unit noticed 389 bogus votes for Hermione. These votes were removed, and the suspect addresses were blocked. This is a reminder. Do not cheat. Vote once. Get your neighbors to vote. But don’t vote several times, lest you be cast into the outer darkness of Lent Madness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. Rest assured that those who perpetrate voter fraud in Lent Madness will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the Law of Moses.
Joan of Arc
Jeanne la Pucelle was born in 1412 in France, in the midst of the Hundred Years’ War between England and its allies and France. When she was about thirteen years old, Joan began to have visions of saints that were so beautiful she said she wept after experiencing them. Over the years, these heavenly messengers shared with her the mission to help Charles of Valois (the king-inwaiting) claim the French throne. As a covenant of this mission from God, Joan took a vow of chastity. Her father promptly arranged a marriage for her, while Joan asserted she should remain unmarried.
As the visions continued, Joan argued with the heavenly messengers, saying she was only a poor girl who could neither ride nor fight. Saint Michael replied, “It is God who commands it.” Joan went again to meet the French leaders. During this trip, Joan began to dress in clothing traditionally worn by male soldiers. Whether this was a choice by Joan or a protective measure as her party traveled through hostile territory remains unknown, but her clothing choice would later be among the charges of heresy and witchcraft.
Joan’s message to Charles infused the war with a religious fervor, with France fighting on the side of God. Charles’s advisors investigated Joan’s faith and reported that she was a good Christian with virtues of humility, honesty, and simplicity. Court theologians suggested Charles put Joan to the test and see if she could, indeed, lead the French army to a divinely inspired victory at Orleans. In March 1429, Joan wore white armor, rode a white horse, and led French troops into battle in Orleans. France was victorious.
The French gained several victories under Joan’s leadership, but she was captured in 1430. The English put her on trial, claiming she was a heretic and witch. King Charles, seeking to save his power, distanced himself from Joan. After the trial, Joan was burned to death at the stake on May 30, 1431.
Her fame and inspiring leadership, however, continued to grow, and twenty years later, the same Charles who did nothing to save her life ordered a new trial to clear her name. On May 16, 1920, Saint Joan of Arc was canonized.
Collect for Joan of Arc
Holy God, whose power is made perfect in weakness: we honor you for the calling of Jeanne d’Arc, who, though young, rose up in valor to bear your standard for her country, and endured with grace and fortitude both victory and defeat; and we pray that we, like Jeanne, may bear witness to the truth that is in us to friends and enemies alike, and encouraged by the companionship of your saints, give ourselves bravely to the struggle for justice in our time; through Christ our Savior, who with you and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
Catherine Booth
The middle of the nineteenth century did not provide, by any stretch of the imagination, a fertile environment for the work of women in preaching and church leadership. Yet despite this hostile environment, Catherine Booth blazed a trail for others to follow in her role as the “Mother of the Salvation Army.”
Born in 1829 to Methodist parents in Derbyshire, England, Catherine presented from a young age a deep aptitude for leadership in the church. By age twelve, she was said to have read the Bible through—eight times. In the midst of a controversy in English Methodism in 1850, she refused to condemn a group of Methodist Reformers and was expelled with others from the larger body of English Methodists. Among this group of reformists was William Booth, who would become her husband.
The Booths became active in the work of a church in West Yorkshire. During this period, she wrote a pamphlet Female Ministry: Women’s Right to Preach the Gospel. She argued three primary points: first, that women are not inferior to men; second, that no scriptural authority exists to deny women public ministry; and that the action of the Holy Spirit had blessed and sanctified this ministry, in line with what we read in the Bible. She was eloquent, compelling, and ferocious in her defense of the right of women to preach the gospel. Her arguments won many converts—including her husband, who initially opposed her efforts.
She soon became a key partner in the ministry of The Christian Mission with her husband in London’s East End. William preached to the poor; Catherine spoke to the wealthy and gained their support for their ministry. She organized the Mission’s Food for the Million shops, where the poor could buy inexpensive meals throughout the year and oversaw Christmas distributions of meals to the needy.
In 1878, The Christian Mission became The Salvation Army. William Booth became known as the “General” and Catherine Booth as the “Mother of the Salvation Army.” She played a key role in the organization, from helping refine its beliefs to the design of the uniforms. Catherine Booth was a pioneer and a trailblazer for the public preaching and teaching ministry of women, a fact that seems all the more remarkable at the height of the Victorian age.
Collect for Catherine Booth
Almighty and everlasting God, we thank you for your servant Catherine, whom you called to preach the Gospel. Raise up in this and every land evangelists and heralds of your kingdom, that your Church may proclaim the unsearchable riches of our Savior Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
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200 comments on “Joan of Arc vs. Catherine Booth”
While there is much to be admired in Joan's faithfulness and courage, the the damage done when adherents of any religion claim God to be on their side in war is just too great to be ignored. Like some others upstream, I have no patience for the homophobia of the current Salvation Army, the Catherine Booth is not to blame for that. Her strong advocacy for the full inclusion of women in church leadership is more than enough to gain my support.
I'm bothered by the tying of Christianity to war in the story of Jeanne d'Arc, which reminds me of the current Christian nationalism in America, as well as the Crusades and the use of Christianity in America to justify slavery and the forcible removal of indigenous peoples.
On the other hand, if I remove that lens and apply a different contemporary lens, I like Jeanne's bending of gender norms by dressing and acting as a man. There have been other women to do this - there are a few photos of women participating as soldiers in the American Revolutionary War museum, and I read a fascinating book about four women in the Civil War (two Confederate, two Union) in which a woman from Canada joined the Union Army as a man and exhibited enormous bravery, even refusing medical treatment for injuries in order to avoid being discovered. (The book, if you're interested, was Liar, Temptress, Soldier, Spy: Four Women Undercover in the Civil War
by Karen Abbott).
In honor of that young woman, Emma Edmonds - not to mention the courage, self-assurance, and faith of Jeanne herself - I'll vote for her.
Props to Catherine Booth for her tenacity and devotion to her calling, however! Either is a good choice.
Loved Karen Abbott's book too.
Curious how there could be "there are a few photos of women participating as soldiers in the American Revolutionary War museum" since photography as we know it didn't begin until the early 19th c.?
Oh, dear me, you are right. How silly of me. I must be confounding photos I've seen in a museum of female Civil War soldiers with stories of women like Deborah Sampson in the Revolutionary War. There's probably a portrait of her at the American Revolution museum.
Thanks for catching my goof! I'm glad to find someone who also liked that book!
The political trauma we’re currently sponging ourselves off from has soured me on Joan of Arc. An innocent who feels a religious yearning to assist a man ascend to power isn’t cute anymore.
I hope Catherine takes the halo.
That was a wonderful song. Thanks for sharing it.
Wow. I read the comments before voting, and you may have just changed my vote.
Catherine will obviously win today but Joanie’s my girl.
Joan was canonized for killing to make the French King the Earthly Word of God. Catherine brought the Word of God to the prosperous for the help and salvation of the poor. Which one of these two women continues to have a godly effect on mankind today?
No contest!
It seems to me that the Salvation Army's current actions toward LGBTQ people are the result of some people's personal feelings, not the Army's policy as a whole. I was working in a homeless shelter once and someone was trying to decide who qualified to be in the lunch line. Someone else said "Oh, just shut up and feed them." I think that's what Catherine would say: Shut up and feed them.
Absolutely, Nancy. God is the one to judge who's worthy, not us. We are here to serve whoever comes our way in need.
"Joan began to have visions of saints that were so beautiful she said she wept after experiencing them. "
Lent Madness: The Original Series?
I have always liked St Joan of Arc...a true leader
I am slightly tempted to vote for Joan in honor of my partner, Mary, who took Joan as her confirmation name, but I have to say I find Catherine Booth's efforts on behalf of women and the poor are more admirable, in my opinion, so to her goes my vote. Plus, as a member of the fundraising department of a charity, I appreciate her own efforts to raise funds in support of her charitable efforts.
There are so many "Protestant" wonder folks., suitable for placement as Lent Madness contestants. But alas, they must be celebrated on liturgical calendars, which are not oftn part and parcel of the less liturgical. Whih denomination places the lovely Clare on their calendars, and which day is her feast day?
Are your referring to Catherine? She is listed as an Anglican saint, her feast day is January 17th. You don't have to be Episcopalian to be a saint in our church.
Although I was in the Salvation Army in a civic theater production of Guys and Dolls, I adore George Bernard Shaw and have to vote for Saint Joan after memorizing the perpetual imprisonment monologue in high school drama class. Go ahead! Light your fire!
I am glad to see Catherine Booth receiving so many votes. The Salvation Army is a significant force for good in the US and deserves our support and recognition!
A very hard choice between two most vigorous and fascinating saints. In the end I voted for Joan of Arc in protest against her cruel death, martyred as she was by other so-called Christians.
"Those who say it cannot be done shouldn't interrupt the people doing it."
The magnet on my fridge sends greetings and two big thumbs up to BOTH of today's contestants.
Slightly different reasons but I agree completely. This was a tough one!
I have seen this comment in other LM contests, but today was the first time the collect persuaded me who to vote for. Do the Celebrity Bloggers write the collects themselves? If so -- well done, Laurie Brock.
The Salvation Army does not celebrate the Christian sacraments of Baptism or Holy Communion. So while the work of Catherine Booth is admirable this Golden Halo vote goes to Joan.
The reason for that was the policy of making women equal in the Salvation Army, and it was felt that people would be scandalized by a woman administering the sacraments. I think they sort of threw the baby put with the bathwater, but that was their decision.
The reason for that was the policy of making women equal in the Salvation Army, and it was felt that people would be scandalized by a woman administering the sacraments. I think they sort of threw the baby put with the bathwater, but that was their decision. Oops, I meant to type "out," not "put."
As always, the community gives much of the joy and insight of Lent Madness. I voted for Catherine
because I've always respected the Salvation Army's work, but I knew nothing about Catherine and
her contribution to the ministry, and to the idea of women as preeachers.
That said, the video o Leonard Cohen's song about Joan was evocative and gorgeous - And it gave
a glimpse of the faith that led her - Beautiful.
It’s unfortunate that these two face each other so early. I was entranced with the martyred revolutionary Saint Joan as a young teen but my attitude on war has changed. I cannot blame Catherine Booth for the present day attitude of the organization she founded, which continues to do good works and help all troubled humans. For recognizing the innate ability and power of all women, Catherine for me.
I am perplexed why it matters if two females are competing against one another, rather than making all challenges be male vs female. Are you saying you prefer to only vote for a female candidate regardless of their "worthiness"? do you therefore not vote if the two contestants are male? How absurd!
Also holding historical persons responsible for current times events/positions is also unfair to the individual. They should be judged on their own merits not on those of current times.
My vote is for Catherine, who served those in need.
I looked at the SA website and it appears they have changed their tune and have many ministries specifically to G/L and T persons in need of housing, welcome, etc, as well as GLBTQ staff members. I could not find anything about whether GLBTQ persons are barred from any specific ministry of leadership roles. But I would wager that if Catherine Booth were an SA leader in our time, with her extensive biblical scholarship, she would not tolerate any proof-texting or twisting of scripture to support anything but full inclusion and affirmation -- She'd be rockin' the boat about that!
Sorry, Catherine but your legacy leaves society's castoffs in the cold. Salvation Army shelters turn away anyone on the inflated sex offender registry. Murderers, gang members, OK, but if you're on the SOR you're left to die in the cold and yes, it's happened.
Catherine was a church leader, complete with 'dog collar.'
Jeanne was a prophet, complete with armor.
As a priest, I went with the prophet.
I didn't say it was logical.
Catherine Booth's story is compelling and her good works estimable, but I had to go with Saint Joan.
I think Catherine is going to win this bout, but I voted for the underdog. They're both great women!
Although in admiration of Joan, J had to go with Claire in recognition of the 16 years I was privileged to work for Salvation Army as a homeless shelter case manager. They do good work.
Although in admiration of Joan, J had to go with Catherine in recognition of the 16 years I was privileged to work for Salvation Army as a homeless shelter case manager. They do good work.
I entered this round fully intending to vote for Joan of Arc, who is so important a saint for France and who was castigated for cross dressing, for being an "hommasse," a man-woman. I was going to honor the great 1928 silent film by Carl Dreyer, The Passion of Joan. Renee Falconetti's performance as Joan is electrifying, and to view this film to the accompaniment of an orchestra and choir is an exalting experience. But before I could get to the voting button, I happened upon Barkha Dutt's account today of the perilous situation of journalists in India. India like the US is a crumbling democracy with one party committed to authoritarianism, and unsurprisingly, to the suppression of women and minorities. Dutt's column discusses how she was threatened with lynching for reporting on the rapes and murders of Dalit girls and women (untouchables). I admire Barkha Dutt greatly and her work as an independent, fair minded investigative journalist. I asked myself: which of these saints would better serve Dutt and her fellow journalists right now? When police in the US kill black men and police in India cover up the murders of women; when white supremacist senators in the US gaslight the American public and engage in denialism about the attempted coup on January 6, and the Modi government in India ignores the staggering number of suicides of farmers due to policies of land dispossession, which of these saints could cast the brighter light and shine a torch on a path forward? And I answered: Catherine Booth. We don't need a martyr now. We need a fierce, dedicated, intelligent, compassionate woman (with organizational skills!) to call the world's attention to the needs of the poor and to place the human rights of the dispossessed above the greed and power hunger of the corrupt and hateful. I note the irony of Mother Booth's position as a "modern maternal general" at the height of the Victorian empire with the Raj as the key jewel in Victoria's crown. The Salvation Army took its name one year after Victoria took the title Empress of India. Nevertheless, when it comes to binding human wounds, forging a new human community, weaving the forgotten stories of the impoverished and disregarded into the fabric of humanity, Saint Catherine Booth is our woman. Onward, Christian Solderers.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2021/02/24/barkha-dutt-disha-ravi-video-complaint-journalism/
Like!
While I enjoy Joan of Arc's story as a story, from a faith perspective I have always been uncomfortable with the patriotic/militaristic side of her story. I don't believe that God takes sides in war. Would God inspire a young woman to take up arms in defense of her country? Quite possibly. But would God appoint a young woman to personally vanquish her country's enemies?
My vote goes to the woman who would preach, teach, and care for the poor.
Normally I enjoy Laurie Brock's writing, but she really missed the boat on this write up of Joan of Arc. Having never seen the king before, when brought to Charles's court for the first time Joan was immediately able to discern that the person on the throne wasn't the king and picked Charles out of the crowd where he was dressed as a courtier. She was able to lead the armies to several victories and only lost and was captured when her God-directed advice wasn't listened to. I have read the transcript of her trials in French and her answers to the English trying to frame her are astounding. There are so many things about her amazing and too short life that are awe-inspiring and faith-filled. I don't want to diss the female leadership of Catherine Booth, but this was NOT a well-written description of a woman who has inspired centuries of religious devotion and imagination and captures none of the divine mystery of her story!!!
Would love to hear about what you read in French and what answers Joan of Arc Cgave to the English you found astounding. Spirit of Love speak.... in Ms.Brock's defense, goodness who could possibly encapsulate Joan's heroic life in such a small forum! Which is exactly why, Joan deserves the saintly sixteen spot!
The Dreyer film gives Joan's brilliant answers. The corrupt judges in her trial try to trick her into blasphemy. They try to trip her up by asserting that she is in a state of grace (which they would see as trying to be God). She responds: "Si j'y suis, qu'il m'y tienne." (If I am in a state of grace, may God keep me there.) Her answers astound with their piety and theological sophistication.
Thank you St. Celia!
I was 9 years old when I saw the film of Ingrid Bergman as Joan of Arc. I remember being electrified by the idea of a woman leading others in battle. I have no choice - it has to be Joan.
I VOTE FOR JOAN OF ARC, ALTHOUGH CATHERINE BOOTH WOULDN'T BE TOO FAR BEHIND. I VOTE FOR HER ORIGINALITY AND HER YOUTHFULNESS
AND HER FOCUS ON CHARLES.