St. Joan of Arc Coloring Page
This St. Joan of Arc coloring page shows Joan in shining armor with short hair, holding her white banner of gold lilies marked with the names Jesus and Mary. The PDF is free to print. Joan was a brave French farm girl who listened to God's call and trusted Him to the end.
The story of St. Joan of Arc
About six hundred years ago, in a little village in France called Domrémy, there lived a farm girl named Joan. She helped her mother at home, sewed and spun wool, and sometimes watched the animals. She could not read or write, but she loved to pray and to go to church.
When Joan was about thirteen, something wonderful happened. One summer day in her father's garden, she heard a voice from God. Later she said that St. Michael the Archangel came to her, and then St. Catherine and St. Margaret. They told her to be good and to go to church often. As she grew older, they told her something much harder: France was in a long war, and God wanted her to help the true king.
Joan was only seventeen. Who would listen to a farm girl? But she did not give up. She went to the king, and he believed her. She put on armor, cut her hair short and rode with the army carrying a white banner with the names of Jesus and Mary on it. The French soldiers took heart, and the city of Orléans was saved. Soon the king was crowned at Reims, just as Joan had said.
Later Joan was captured by her enemies and put on trial. She was alone and frightened, but she answered bravely and kept trusting God. She died in 1431, still saying the name of Jesus. Years later the Church declared that her trial had been unjust, and in 1920 she was named St. Joan of Arc.
What to color
- Her banner: white, with gold lilies and the words Jhesus Maria. It shows that Joan fought for God, not for glory.
- Her armor: silver or gray. It shows her courage.
- The fleur-de-lis: gold on blue, the royal lily of France. She is the patron saint of France.
- Her short hair: brown. She cut it short to ride with the soldiers.
- Her sword: resting in its sheath. Joan said she never wanted to kill anyone.
- The town and church: gray stone and blue roofs.
A prayer to pray together
No prayer by Joan herself has come down to us, so we ask her help in our own simple words:
St. Joan of Arc, pray for us, and help us to be brave for Jesus.
Older children may like her famous answer at her trial, when she was asked if she was in God's grace: "If I am not, may God put me there; and if I am, may God so keep me."
Ideas for families and classrooms
- Color this page on her feast day, May 30.
- Make a paper banner with a fleur-de-lis and the names Jesus and Mary.
- Talk about it: Joan was young, but God had a big job for her. What job might God have for you?
- Find France on a map and trace Joan's journey from Domrémy to Orléans to Reims.
- Learn about other young saints who were brave for Jesus.
Read the full story: St. Joan of Arc in the encyclopedia.
Frequently asked questions
What colors should I use for St. Joan of Arc?
Silver or gray for her armor, and white for her banner with gold lilies, just as she described it at her trial. The fleur-de-lis can be gold on a blue tunic, the old royal colors of France.
Why does Joan of Arc wear armor?
She believed God sent her to help the king of France at a time of war, so she rode with the soldiers. She said she loved her banner much more than her sword, and carried it so she would not have to fight.
When is St. Joan of Arc's feast day?
May 30, the day she died in 1431. She was declared a saint in 1920.
Is this coloring page free for classrooms?
Yes. Print it free for your family, school, CCD class or parish.