I, Joan the shepherdess,
Cherish my flock.
My staff is light
And I love my spindle.
I love the solitude
Of this pretty grove.
I have the sweet habit
Of coming here in secret.
There I weave a crown
From wildflowers;
I give it to Mary,
With my sweetest songs…
Saint Thérèse of Lisieux
Pious Recreation No. 1: The mission of Joan of Arc (excerpt)

Gari Melchers (American, 1860-1932)
Oil on canvas
Indianapolis Museum of Art at Newfields
Courtesy of Indianapolis Museum of Art at Newfields (Public domain)
of Lisieux, T 2008, The plays of Saint Thérèse of Lisieux: “pious recreations”, translated from the French by Conroy S and Dwyer D J, ICS Publications, Washington, DC.
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