This Year, We Embrace the Miracle of Joan’s Courageous Heart

This January 6th we celebrate eighteen years of marching in the French Quarter, bringing a moving spectacle of beauty, light and love through the telling of Joan of Arc’s story and her legacy. Our theme this year is “Courage”, inspired by the selected Joan of Art contest piece by local Jackson Square Artist Tara Gass-Baden, featured in this year’s medallion.

We are indeed an Army of Artists…in a world gone mad with technology, we are using our hands and hearts to create extraordinary pageantry and make human connections as we walk. Our collaborations, creations, and year-round community building through Joan are the keys to our krewe’s success.  Thank you for joining us in this battle for more beauty, more humanity, and more creativity!

If love is a battlefield, we are winning.

But, don’t let these militaristic terms arouse you too much to take up your sword.  Remember, Joan fought with her banner only! Indeed, the word courage comes from the Latin root cor, meaning “heart,” evolving through Old French corage (heart, feelings) to its current sense of bravery. But it originally meant “to speak one’s mind by telling all one’s heart” or showing one’s innermost feelings. It entered English around the 1300s, and its meaning evolved over time to focus more on valor.
But, much like our parade’s simple beginnings, the word was meant to convey something profoundly basic: Speaking your heart.

It is no coincidence that this year’s wooden doubloon image is in fact Joan of Arc’s heart. Because “Joan’s heart did not burn. “

While there is scientific reason for this, the miraculous version is more poetic: Her heart did not burn because nothing can destroy love. Her executioners could never destroy her love for God and for France. Her heart is eternal, and so is she!

This year, we embrace the miracle of Joan’s courageous heart.

And like the word courage, the word miracle has a simple definition as well. At its core it means “a wonderful thing”. It comes from the Latin miraculum, meaning “object of wonder,” derived from mirari (“to wonder at”) and mirus (“wonderful”). 

Like the story of Joan’s indestructible heart, the Joan of Arc Parade is a miracle, and a wonderful thing– thanks to all of you!  Your endless dedication and generosity these past two decades–and especially this year — keeps us building, sharing, conversing and creating events inspired by Joan, who inspires us all.

Let’s go forth and bring love into 2026– with courage, heart and wonder!

As Joan said during the Siege of Orleans:  “Courage! Do not fall back; in a little the place will be yours!” 

On January 6, the place is ours. 

Happy 614th Birthday, Joan!  Allons-y!

Amy Kirk Duvoisin
Founder
President, Joan of Project LLC
French Knight of Arts and Letters
www.JoanOfArcParade.org