The 2028 Presidential election is looming large. It’s just two years away, and it can’t come soon enough. I am hoping and praying that enough Americans have learned a tough lesson about the sacredness of our democracy that thousands of men and women died to protect, and we will self-correct at the ballot box. To that end, I would like to throw my whole-hearted support behind…drum roll please…
St. Catherine of Siena!
And I think she’s ready. You see that look? That’s the look of, “What the hell were you thinking?”
She sees what the men in power have done to this country, and she’s no stranger to the narcissistic and patriarchal mess they have made! After all, with Jesus’ prompting, she called out two evil Popes and didn’t stop there. When she saw corruption among church leaders and bishops, she called them out, without fear or hesitation.
But she wasn’t always fearless. As a matter of fact, she felt the same as all women of her time (1347-1380). One of her earliest biographers, Raymond of Capua, shared her words after she received a vision from Jesus in which He called her to instruct the “learned men” of her time:
“How can I be of any use in the work of saving souls,” she asked the Christ who called her in visions, “for I am a woman, and it is not seemly for my sex to try to teach men, or even to speak with them. Besides, they take no notice of what we say.” …
It was the Jesus of her vision who responded: All things are possible for God who has created everything from nothing. I know that you say this with humility, but you must know that in these days pride has grown monstrously among men, and chiefly among those who are learned and think they understand everything…. I have chosen unschooled women, fearful and weak by nature, but trained by Me in the knowledge of the divine, so that they may put vanity and pride to shame.…”
Catherine may no longer be available. Still, I’ll bet there is a perfect reincarnation of her right here, right now: a woman of her stature and prominence who can run this country with honor and integrity. Who can reestablish our connection with the countries that have rejected us on a grand scale. Who can bring hope to our youth who desparately need it right now. Who can restore the lives of so many immigrants and minorities who are just as valued and loved by God as everyone else. Let’s make this happen!
I will leave you with a few of my favorite quotes from some amazing women:
“Women, if the soul of the nation is to be saved, I believe you must become its soul.” Coretta Scott King
“None of us can know what we are capable of until we are tested.” – Elizabeth Blackwell, first woman to graduate from medical school in the U.S.
“A leader takes people where they want to go. A great leader takes people where they don’t necessarily want to go, but ought to be.” – Rosalynn Carter
“There are two kinds of people, those who do the work and those who take the credit. Try to be in the first group; there is less competition there.” Indira Gandhi
I even have a theme song for this campaign: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rptW7zOPX2E
And we probably should have T-shirts:
PASSION, PURPOSE & POOPYHEADS 