Discussion for article #241030
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I had the privilege, 48 years ago, to meet Dorothy Day, being introduced to her by her long-time comrade in the struggle, Ammon Hennacy. They were both what I as a non-Catholic, non-religious person would consider a saint. My definition of that term is someone who lives their beliefs every day, who takes on fights against long odds - many times advancing the cause but often not winning, but inspiring others to go the distance to a victory. They are people who impress you when you meet them, who you don’t forget, and against whom you measure yourself afterwards about your own actions. On those grounds, Dorothy Day is most definitely a saint.
Pretty damn cool of Pope Frankie to hold her up as an example to the rest of us of what he’s talking about.
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Although I’m an agnostic/atheist now, I was raised Catholic in a parish with a heavy Catholic Worker/post-Vatican II increased role of the Laity bent and while there are still a number of points of doctrine that I disagree with that exposure to Social Justice focused religion is a big part of why I dislike it when some people try and paint the likes of Kim Davis as representative of all of Christianity.
Edit: Also, while I was aware of who Dorothy Day, was I wasn’t all that familiar with her full biography so this was an interesting read, cudos.
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Ms. Day and her followers were well known in the NYC area. They were pacifists and espoused other beliefs which were controversial. The official church tolerated them, They were very active in the anti-nuclear movement and opposition to the Cold war and Vietnam. Jusuits and other anti-war activists were friends of her movement in those days. Many admired her work and making her a saint would be in line with This Pope’s views’ although he does not to seem to be a pacifist and seems to understand that people who work and build generally contribute to the Churches and charities. Of course’ the church or charity gets the credit not the one who worked to produce the money in initially.
Another Day, another Dollar less (for the ultra rich).
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Same background here and now an atheist but this Pope has filled me with joy and hope. I didn’t know a thing about Dorothy Day but took time to read about her. She certainly was right about war and many other issues.
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This Pope has made a difference in the tone of Church pronouncements but has fallen way short in addressing clergy abuse and women’s rights issues. Please consider these things when to laud this Pope for his stewardship of the Church. It is also worth remembering the cost of this visit. The Vatican pay very little of the cost. The Catholic people and the tax payers Catholic or not are footing the bill.
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If it upsets Rush Limbaugh then it has to be right. The real joke is he being a christian.
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Mr. Krieger: The captivating glimpses you share of a rich and rewarding life are a treasure, and I was almost surprised not to find Dorothy Day among them.
Prison Scene, Churches Ad Hoc, Mixed Marriages, Mall-aise, and others offer us a delightful dose of self-reflection. Mit groys fargenign, I recommend them to all.
Thank you!
This is probably the best biography of Dorothy Day, whom I knew and worked with a little, 50 years ago, that I have ever seen. Few of us are able, or willing, to take the personal responsibility to alleviate any suffering, poverty or inequality that we encounter in life. But that was what Dorothy taught and that is what she lived. It was profound and earth shaking to move in her sphere and it changed me forever. Ammon Hennacy, whom Dorothy revered, was another idiosyncratic, but genius, pacifist rebel, who confronted authority while giving succor to the homeless. He had a well kept bungalow by the tracks outside Salt Lake, where hobos and other homeless could find a bed and a meal whenever they needed it. Dorothy and he didn’t preach to those they helped. They just offered dignity and love to even the most degraded among us.
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What ever happened to the requirement that Sainthood required a VERIFABLE (once was two) MIRACLE ???
All priests and nuns are expected to perform good deeds!
It’s interesting Mayor Giuliani who went ballistic over an art exhibit perceived as blasphemous as well as conservative Catholics on Staten Island had little regard for land marking Dorothy Day’s home.
Heck even a marker or street sign would have sufficed to honor a humble and great woman. There are street signs for lesser persons.
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People, esp those on the right who have coopted Jesus as a conservative symbol, might be surprised at how much of a radical he was. And it was his liberalism and threat to the established Temple order that got him killed. They thought he was going to be the spark of a revolt that would cause the Romans to level Jerusalem to the ground. And the Romans did so some 70 years after Jesus. The Temple treasures were carted off to Rome and are represented on a triumphal arch there.
I think social justice, caring for the poor and pacifism were teachings of Jesus
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Ms. Day and her followers would not fight against the Nazis and advocated unilateral disarmament in the 50’s and 60’s. They used scripture to back up their beliefs just as Kim Davis does her’s. Using the parts of the Bible than favor your point of view is an easy way to make an argument. Hitler used the image of Christ cleansing the temple to justify the Holocaust. Most of us favor social policies that help people advance. The majority of Americans will probably think this gay marriage fight was silly ten years from now. But pacifism and not paying taxes advocated by some will never carry the Day here in America.