Dorothy Day

Dorothy Day

Dorothy Day (November 8, 1897 – November 29, 1980) was an American journalist, social activist, and devout Catholic convert. She was a key figure in the Catholic Worker Movement, which she co-founded with Peter Maurin in 1933. Her life and work have inspired many in the fields of social justice, peace activism, and religious devotion.

Early Life

Dorothy Day was born in Brooklyn, New York, to John and Grace Day. Her family moved to San Francisco and later to Chicago, where she spent much of her childhood. Day was raised in a nominally religious household but was deeply influenced by the social and political issues of her time.

Journalism and Activism

Day began her career as a journalist in the 1910s, writing for socialist publications such as The Call and The Masses. Her early work focused on issues of poverty, labor rights, and women's suffrage. During this period, she became involved with various social and political movements, including the Industrial Workers of the World (IWW).

Conversion to Catholicism

In 1927, Dorothy Day converted to Catholicism, a decision that profoundly influenced her life's work. Her conversion was inspired by her desire for a deeper spiritual life and her admiration for the Catholic Church's teachings on social justice.

The Catholic Worker Movement

In 1933, Day met Peter Maurin, a French immigrant and former Christian Brother, who shared her vision of a society based on the principles of the Gospels. Together, they founded the Catholic Worker newspaper, which advocated for nonviolence, hospitality for the homeless, and direct action on behalf of the poor.

The Catholic Worker Movement quickly grew, establishing "houses of hospitality" across the United States to provide food, shelter, and support to those in need. The movement also promoted the establishment of farming communes as a means of living out the principles of distributism and self-sufficiency.

Legacy and Influence

Dorothy Day's work has had a lasting impact on both the Catholic Church and the broader social justice movement. Her commitment to nonviolence and her advocacy for the poor have inspired generations of activists and religious leaders.

In 2000, the Vatican opened the cause for Day's canonization, and she was named a "Servant of God," the first step in the process of becoming a saint.

Further Reading

• Day, Dorothy. The Long Loneliness: The Autobiography of Dorothy Day. HarperOne, 1952.
• Forest, Jim. All Is Grace: A Biography of Dorothy Day. Orbis Books, 2011.

External Links

• The Catholic Worker Movement
• Dorothy Day Guild