Did you know that the chapel that Saint Joan of Arc prayed in is in Wisconsin? No, not a replica, but the actual chapel. Isn't that insane. Keep reading for the crazy story of how it got here. We'll also tell you about the miraculous piece of stone behind the altar.
St. Joan of Arc's chapel was originally built in Chasse, France. The chapel was built in 1420, and Joan lived from 1412-1431, so she definitely prayed there on multiple occasions! Centuries later, the house that was later built onto the chapel burned down in 1962. The property owners sought a new owner for the chapel, and found a willing one in Marquette University President Rev. Edward J. O'Donnell, S.J.
Over the course of 9 months, Marquette contractors carefully disassembled the chapel stone by stone, shipped it to Wisconsin, and reassembled it exactly as it was before. What a massive undertaking! In 1966, the chapel opened to the Marquette University family.
As if that wasn't enough, there's more. There is a particular slab of stone in the chapel that Joan of Arc is said to have prayed to the Blessed Mother on. Legend has it that after she prayed, she would kiss the slab of stone. Miraculously, the stone remains at a cooler temperature than all the other stones around it to this very day. Incredible!
Next time you're up north, swing by Marquette University to check out the very same chapel that the Patron Saint of France prayed at. Saint Joan of Arc, pray for us!