Dorothy Day: The Road to Canonization
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…
Article by Robert Elsberg in The Catholic Worker, May 2015, pp 1, 5
. He writes in support of the cause for Dorothy Day’s canonization, addressing “the many deep admirers and even followers of Dorothy Day who have no doubts about her holiness but are skeptical or suspicious of the process of canonization. “
In this classic essay from the May 2015 issue of The Catholic Worker, Robert Ellsberg reflects on what saints meant to Dorothy Day, what they mean for the Church, and why the question of her canonization ultimately comes down to whether it will draw people to live out the radical love of Jesus.
An Introduction to The Eleventh Virgin by Paul Bowers. Paul Bowers lives with his wife and daughter on a ten-acre farm in Ringwood, Oklahoma. He earned a B.A. from The University of Tulsa, M.A. and Ph.D. degrees from Oklahoma State University. He currently teaches writing and literature at Northern Oklahoma College in Enid, and serves as the Coordinator for Academic Service Learning.
The articles for the On Conscience theme were compiled and prepared by Nicholas Fustos (Westminster College, PA) and Angela Lahr…
Column by Cardinal John O’Conner in Catholic New York announcing the beginning of the canonization process for Dorothy Day.
Text of Cardinal O’Connor’s homily at Sunday Mass in St. Patrick’s Cathedral November 9, 1997. Reprinted with permission from Catholic New York, November 13, p. 13-14.
Lecture given by Robert Elsberg at the New York University Symposium honoring Dorothy Day’s centenary on November 8, 1997. Used with permission.
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.
These recollections are excerpted from Voices from the Catholic Worker compiled by Rosalie Riegle Troester, Temple University Press, 1993. They are reproduced here with permission of Dr. Troester.
Summary: Short diary-like jottings: memories, visitors, TV shows watched, and comments on books. (DDLW #921) The Catholic Worker, Oct/Nov 1980, 2, 7
Summary: A series of brief diary entries about phone calls, Masses, shows on TV, operas, books she’s reading, recollections of friends and times past. A quote from St. Augustine on the love of God. (DDLW #917). The Catholic Worker, September 1980, 6
Summary: Jottings about music, dramas, and documentaries she enjoyed on TV and radio. Notes the comings and goings of friends and recollects times past. Mentions where she learned about praying for those who commit suicide. (DDLW #922) The Catholic Worker, July-August 1980, 2, 6.
Summary: An essay on the mystery and complexity of poverty, real and voluntary kinds. Enumerates the many forms of poverty, the irony of “poverty” in “rich” religious orders, and finally poverty as a means of helping the poor. (DDLW #633). The Catholic Worker, May 1952, 2, 6.
Summary: Finds it hard to write about her sister Della who died–“my closest friend and confidante.” Recalls growing up in Chicago together and their reading, conversations, and walks. Notes their differences over birth control–Della had worked for Margaret Sanger who Dorothy once interviewed. (The Catholic Worker, May 1980, 2. DDLW #603).
Summary: Notes from her diary about operas, Friday night speakers, visitors, phone calls, and friends. (The Catholic Worker, March-April 1980, 2. DDLW #604).
Summary: Diary jottings of people coming and going, music listened to, books read, and little delights. Describes herself as “on the shelf” and quotes a prayer of Ephraim the Syrian on sloth. (The Catholic Worker, February 1980, 7. DDLW #602).
Summary: A tender reminiscence of Stanley Vishnewski, the first to join her after she met Peter Maurin. Recalls how he saved her life, his companionship, generosity, and those who delighted in him. “I miss Stanley.” (The Catholic Worker, December 1979, 5. DDLW #601).
Summary: A tender reminiscence of Stanley Vishnewski, the first to join her after she met Peter Maurin. Recalls how he saved her life, his companionship, generosity, and those who delighted in him. “I miss Stanley.” (DDLW #601).The Catholic Worker, December 1979, 5.
Summary: Explains Peter Maurin’s ideal of “agronomic universities”–communal farms founded on a philosophy of work, especially manual labor. While an ideal, farm communities often suffered from too little skill and community conflicts. Lauds the new Peter Maurin farm on Staten Island and envisions deepening one’s spiritual life in work on the land. (DDLW #923). The Catholic Worker, Oct/Nov 1979, 1, 2, 7