St. Joan of Arc’s legacy is one that Catholics can learn from in many ways, including in their pro-life activism.

That’s what Students for Life of America President Kristan Hawkins wrote in a book review and commentary on Mark Twain’s Joan of Arc published in the National Catholic Register earlier this week.

Despite being agnostic, Twain wrote a biography of the Catholic saint, calling it his “best” and favorite project. 

“It’s beautiful that the story of a young, courageous woman who stood up in halls of power, speaking to political men about timeless, eternal truths, moved even a man whose own faith was fragile,” writes Hawkins. 

Hawkins notes the clear connection pro-life advocates can make between the life of Joan of Arc and their work fighting for life: 

As her country is falling apart, plagued by weak leadership unwilling to fight, Joan begins to lay out the foundation for why she, with their help, needed to show up for the fight. Her friend repeatedly tries to paint the bleakest picture possible of the odds against France, and Joan insists that not in 30 years, but in two years, things will change.   

. . . We all know how she was ultimately left to die after numerous trials, after she was captured by the English, but I love the description of Joan as she marched forward into battle . . . But she didn’t waiver; she stood firm as she was attacked by men who believed more in their right to rule than in the God they said they served.  

Are our young activists not facing the same trial? To stand up to a government that targets the most vulnerable of us and leaders unwilling to fight for a just cause? 

Students for Life of America is holding government accountable by demanding our water be free from Chemical Abortion Pill pollution, the administration enforce the Comstock Act to keep pro-Abortion states from flooding our streets with deadly pills against pro-life laws, and more. 

It is this fight Hawkins calls on young changemakers to joyfully partake. That requires following in Joan of Arc’s footsteps by bravely submitting to God in His plan for each of us, no matter the worldly cost. 

Read the full op-ed here.