St. Joan of Valois
| St. Joan of Valois | |
|---|---|
| Saint | St. Joan of Valois |
| Stage | Saint |
| Birthdate | April 23, 1464 |
| Birthplace | Nogent-le-Roi, France |
| Birth Coordinates | |
| Deathdate | February 4, 1505 |
| Death Place | Bourges, France |
| Death Coordinates | |
| Cause of Death | Natural causes |
| Notable Location 1 | Château de Blois, France |
| Notable Location 1 Coordinates | |
| Notable Location 2 | Convent of the Annunciation, Bourges, France |
| Notable Location 2 Coordinates | |
| Notable Location 3 | |
| Notable Location 3 Coordinates | |
| Notable Location 4 | |
| Notable Location 4 Coordinates | |
| Notable Location 5 | |
| Notable Location 5 Coordinates | |
| Beatification Date | March 17, 1742 |
| Beatified by | Pope Benedict XIV |
| Beatification Location | Rome, Italy |
| Canonized | Yes |
| Canonization Date | May 28, 1950 |
| Canonized by | Pope Pius XII |
| Canonization Location | Rome, Italy |
| Miracle 1 | Miracles at her tomb |
| Miracle 2 | Miraculous healing of the sick |
| Miracle 3 | Blood from her body post-mortem |
| Feast Day | February 4 |
| Profession | Queen, Nun, Foundress |
| Religious Affiliation | Order of the Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary |
| Patronage | Those in difficult circumstances, widows, prisoners, those ridiculed for piety |
| Attributes | Crown, religious habit, book |
| Primary Shrine | Church of Saint Pierre-le-Guillard, Bourges, France |
| Additional Veneration | |
St. Joan of Valois, also known as Joan of France, was born into the French royal family in 1464, the daughter of King Louis XI and Charlotte of Savoy[1]. She faced numerous hardships, including a forced marriage to Louis, Duke of Orléans, which was later annulled. She then founded the Order of the Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary, dedicating her life to religious service[2]. Joan was known for her piety and humility, despite her royal background[3].
Biography
Birth
Joan was born on April 23, 1464, at the Château de Nogent-le-Roi[1].
Early Life
She was physically deformed, which led to rejection by her father, but she found solace in her devotion to the Virgin Mary[2].
Occupation
Initially a queen by marriage, she later became known for her religious work after her marriage was annulled[3].
Vocation
She founded the Order of the Annunciation in 1501, dedicating her life to prayer and penance[1].
Death
Joan died on February 4, 1505, in Bourges, France, of natural causes[3].
Significant events
- Married Louis, Duke of Orléans, in 1476, later annulled in 1498[2].
- Founded the Order of the Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary in 1501[1].
- Took the veil and made her vows in 1503 at the Convent of Bourges[3].
Death
St. Joan of Valois died peacefully in Bourges, at the age of 40, after a life of spiritual devotion and service.
Canonization
Servant of God
The process to recognize Joan as a Servant of God was initiated in 1614 in France[4].
Venerable
Declared Venerable by Pope Benedict XIV in 1742[4].
Beatification
Beatified on March 17, 1742, by Pope Benedict XIV[4].
Canonization
Canonized on May 28, 1950, by Pope Pius XII[2].
Miracles
Miracle for beatification
Joan's beatification was supported by miracles at her tomb[4].
Miracle for canonization
Miraculous healing of the sick was noted as part of her canonization process[2].
Other notable miracles
- Blood was said to have come from her body 57 years after her death when it was exhumed[1]. - Numerous other miracles reported at her tomb[2].
Patronage
St. Joan of Valois is the patron saint of those in difficult circumstances, widows, prisoners, and those ridiculed for their piety[2].
Feast day
Her feast day is celebrated on February 4[2].
Veneration
St. Joan is venerated through her order, the Annunciation, and her relics are kept in Bourges. She is remembered for her acceptance of suffering and her devotion to Mary[2].
Books
Written about the saint
- No specific modern books were listed, but her life has been documented in hagiographies[5].
Written by the saint
- St. Joan of Valois did not leave any known written works[5].
External links
- Catholic Online article on St. Joan of Valois[2]
- Saint of the Day on St. Joan of Valois[1]
- New Advent Catholic Encyclopedia on St. Jeanne de Valois[3]
- Catholic.net on St. Jane of Valois[4]
- Wikipedia entry on Joan of France, Duchess of Berry[5]