nded mass daily and often, when she heard the church bells she would fall to her knees in prayer. As a result of her devotion, she was sometimes teased for living such a holy life. Astonishingly, despite her youth she would fast and pray with great devotion for those who suffered. Also, she has been said to have given up her bed to strangers and slept on the floor. It is obvious that even before her visions she lived more a less in a world apart. By her teenage years Joan had become a very well liked young lady in her village.
             Her vision came first at the age of thirteen: "I was thirteen when I had a voice from God for my help and guidance... Only God could have her body. Only god could have her inner spirit." She was transformed by grace and devoted her life completely to God by vow of virginity, both body and spirit. Originally, these voices came to her two to three times a week and only told her to pray and attend church. At her first trial Joan described her first vision, which was of Saint Michael: "I saw him before my eyes; he was not alone but quite surrounded by the Angels of heaven". In the winter of 1428-1429 as her, mission drew nearer, the messages became more constant. The forces of Burgundy and England were now lying seige on the city of Orleans. If Orleans fell France was gone. Now she was hearing them daily and they told her of her mission in life. From that time on Joan increasingly heard her voices from Saint Michael, Catherine, and Margaret) throughout the rest of her life. T!
             his faith filled teenager carefully discerned that these voices were indeed from God. But why her, why was she being instructed to become involved politically and militarily? She became sure of her mission as they continued to guide and teach her. Her mission, as she gathered was to go into France, raise the siege at Orleans, and have Charles crowned King of Rheims. This would not prove to be an easy task for Joan....