Dorothy Day, Servant of God
Almost immediately after her death in 1980 controversy arose about whether Dorothy Day should be canonized a Saint by the…
Almost immediately after her death in 1980 controversy arose about whether Dorothy Day should be canonized a Saint by the Church.
Many voices are in support of the canonization process, citing Dorothy Day’s life as an example that has inspired them to prayer and action for social justice. Her faithfulness to the Gospel, living the “preferential option for the poor” and showing that a lay person can achieve heroic virtue are often cited.
Voices opposing the process say that Dorothy Day shunned the suggestion she was a saint and believe she would rather have any money spent on her canonization given to the poor. Others are concerned that her radical vision will be sanitized and spun to support Catholic traditionalism and a narrow anti-abortion stance, neutralizing her ardent pacifism, radical critique of society, and love of the poor.
“Dorothy Day is already a saint” is a common refrain, which reminds us that the Church doesn’t make saints, but only recognizes what the faithful acknowledge as the action of God’s grace in a person’s life.
- Dorothy Day Canonization Support Network
- Includes prayers, links to resources about CW news and Dorothy Day, and a list of current groups, organizations and communities who are members.
- The Dorothy Day Guild
- Includes information about the canonization process, her life and words, and a blog anyone can participate in.
- All Are Called To Be Saints by Robert Ellsberg.
- Dorothy Day’s Sainthood Cause Begins by Cardinal John O’Conner
- Dorothy Day — A Saint for Our Age? by Jim Forest
- On the Idea of Sainthood and Dorothy Day by Cardinal John O’Conner
- Dorothy Day: Lecture on Centenary by Robert Ellsberg
Commentary on the Nicholas Tsai Icon (above) by Jim Forest.
