Saint Catherine of Siena was a holy political activist. She fought for peace between cities, religious liberty, and reform of the clergy. Catherine felt called to live in seclusion until she had a vision in 1370. Specifically, she was told to end her hermit-like life and venture out into the world. Compelled at the moment, she left it all behind straightaway and entered the public life of the world.

Saint Catherine of Siena was born on the feast of the Annunciation in 1347, she had 23 siblings. Her twin sister died shortly after birth. As a happy child, Catherine sometimes knelt on each step of the staircase to pray the Hail Mary. At six years old she had a vision of the Lord seated with Saints Peter, Paul, and John. Jesus smiled and extended a blessing to her. Afterward, she was unquestionably his.

All Saint Catherine of Siena wanted was to stay in her cloister and live a simple life of prayer and penance. God had other plans. The Church had gotten itself into a mess. Wars. Antipopes. Exile of the Holy See out of Rome. The Pope had heard that the Obscure Saint Catherine of Siena was quite skilled at reconciling between mediating parties. Mediate she did. Her “feminine genius” was on full display as she fought secularism and convinced the Pope to leave the comfort of France and return to Rome. Her life of political leadership guided by the Holy Spirit should serve as a model for us in our own broken times.

Let us pray, O God, who gave Saint Catherine of Siena, graced with the special privilege of virginity, patience to overcome the assault of evil spirits and to stand unshaken in the love of your Name. Grant we beseech you, that after her example treading under foot the wickedness of the world and overcoming the wiles of all enemies, we may safely pass onward to your glory. Through Christ our Lord. Amen. -from the Litany of Saint Catherine of Siena