1940s

Summary: Begins with an appeal for two worthy causes–the Bishop’s relief fund for war victims and the New York Catholic Charities. Ponders the role of citizens during wartime and our penchant for choosing men of action, like General MacArthur, as heroes rather than figures like Pope Pius XII. Envisions speaking about rayer in Wartime, the rural life movement, feeding the poor and hungry, and the use of decentralism and other means for producing social change on an upcoming West Coast trip. Denies that her strict pacifism has split the Catholic Worker movement and points out that they face more reader-resistance for their policy against denying aid to the “undeserving” poor. (The Catholic Worker, April 1942, 1, 4. DDLW #381).

Summary: Shares her enthusiasm for Raisa Maritain’s autobiography, We Have Been Friends Together. Defends their reaching out to all the poor, not just those deemed “deserving” of assistance. Reviews the positions taken on World War II by various Catholic Worker houses throughout the country, admitting that not all have their “in season, out of season” pacifism. (The Catholic Worker, February 1942, 1, 4, 7. DDLW #380).

Summary: Laments the country at war. Describes the hectic Christmas period, the many gifts, the ongoing work of hospitality, the illnesses of workers, her travels, and reading for the month. Asks forgiveness for not getting all the letters written. (The Catholic Worker, January 1942, 1, 4. DDLW #378).

Summary: Comments on union elections and favors John L. Lewis because of his opposition to war. Colorful description of her surroundings and the changing seasons. News of a wedding, illness, a birth, and visitors. (The Catholic Worker, December 1941, 1, 4. DDLW #377).

Summary: A letter to a bed-ridden Catholic Worker telling of their new women’s house of hospitality–Mary’s House. Describes bits of beauty in the city, many visitors and conversations, and the condition of miners in Chile. (The Catholic Worker, October 1941, 1, 4, 7. DDLW #375).

Summary: Describes the Catholic Worker silent retreat at the farm in Easton, Pennsylvania. Says the retreat is “a course of instruction in basic principles and tactics”–a time “to gird up the loins and strengthen oneself for the strong combat.” (The Catholic Worker, September 1941, 1, 3. DDLW #374).

Summary: Diary-like account of a trip to Catholic Worker houses and farms through the Midwest. Ends on retreat in Pittsburgh given by Fr. Hugo and says they left renewed, with a new perspective. (The Catholic Worker, July/August 1941, 1,3. DDLW #373).

Summary: Expounds on the value of manual labor and the opening of new Catholic Worker houses. Argues that it is right that the Catholic Worker campaign against the underlying social injustices which cause hunger, poverty, homelessness, and war. Asks for respect when views differ. (The Catholic Worker, May 1941, 1, 4. DDLW #372).

Summary: Involves the C.W. in strikes in order to spread Catholic social teaching and promote better living conditions. Combats the charge that the C.W. is communist and encourages spiritual weapons to fight communism. (The Catholic Worker, April 1941, 1,4. DDLW #147).

Summary: Describes her busy speaking schedule and laments that there’s so much to do. Advises sowing time to reap time. Attends meetings in Baltimore and a dinner with Sigrid Undset. (The Catholic Worker, February 1941, 1, 4. DDLW #371).

Summary: Contrasts ugliness (a street fight) and beauty (a recitation of the psalms at the house by a friend). Mentions visitors, a birth, a death, and a day of recollection. (The Catholic Worker, January 1941, 1, 4. DDLW #370).

Summary: Lauds their daily routine of prayer, reading, and hospitality in New York and around the country. Says they feed 900 for breakfast, and a couple of hundred at lunch and supper. (The Catholic Worker, December 1940, 4. DDLW #369).

Summary: Hard winter conditions in New York has them working to stay warm. Takes a trip through the Middle West visiting houses of hospitality and describes their work. Applauds the Grail for a philosophy of labor. (The Catholic Worker, December 1940, 1, 4, 7. DDLW #368).

Summary: Admires the work of Ade Bethune’s “folk school” in Newport, Rhode Island, calling it “one of the most interesting cells of the Catholic Worker.” Describes the work of nearby Catholic Worker farms. Gives a talk where she stresses that the evils in the world are not inevitable, are not from God but from man’s misuse of free will. (The Catholic Worker, October 1940, 1, 2. DDLW #367).