ByJim Forest
Presented at the Dorothy Day Centenary Conference, Marquette University, October 10, 1997. This article also appeared in a shorter form as “The Trouble With Saint Dorothy“, U.S. Catholic, November 1997.
ByJames Allaire
In this 1997 essay, Jim Allaire reflects on launching the Catholic Worker Roundtable website (later CatholicWorker.org), arguing that online communication aligns with the movement’s tradition of public witness and dialogue. Drawing on Catholic theology and personalist philosophy, he defends the responsible use of technology as a means of engagement, not retreat, in the struggle for justice.
ByJames Allaire
In this 1995 essay, Catholic Worker Jim Allaire reflects on how personalist philosophy supports the thoughtful use of technology. Drawing on Emmanuel Mounier and Catholic Worker history, he argues that engagement—not retreat—is the path forward, urging Christians to use tools like the Internet creatively and critically in service of justice, peace, and community.
ByDorothy Day
Summary: On the tenth anniversary of The Catholic Worker she explains their purpose as promoting love of God and our brother. Their work expresses the beauty of Christianity in supporting the worker, the poor, and eschewing violence. She highlights instances of violent racism. (DDLW #919) The Catholic Worker, May 1943, 4
ByDorothy Day
Summary: Restates the central vision of the Catholic Worker Movement as working for “a new heaven and a new earth, wherein justice dwelleth.” This vision recognizes the “primacy of the spritual” and the doctrine of the Mystical Body of Christ. The Catholic Worker is “a new way of life” involving Houses of Hospitality for the daily practice of the Works of Mercy and Farming Communes where each person can take responsibility of doing their part. (DDLW #182). The Catholic Worker, February 1940, 7.
ByDorothy Day
In this introduction to “House of Hospitality,” Dorothy Day provides a detailed account of the beginnings of the Catholic Worker. As a journalist covering the Communist-led march on Washington in December 1932, Dorothy yearns and prays to find a way to work for the poor and oppressed. She meets Peter Maurin who “indoctrinates” her in Catholic social teaching and his program to change the social order: starting a newspaper, houses of hospitality, roundtable discussions and farming communes. Includes several of Peter’s essays and details about starting the newspaper and their first houses of hospitality. (DDLW #435).
ByDorothy Day
Summary: States that the purpose of the paper is to articulate the Church’s social program and to popularize the Popes’ social encyclicals. (DDLW #12) The Catholic Worker, May 1933, 4 (First Issue)
