Dorothy Day’s Writings

Summary: Fr. Daniel Lord, who recently died, is remembered for his work with youth in the fields of Catholic Action and contentious objection. Describes her time at the farm attending conferences and caring for her grandchildren. Ruminates about human freedom in relation to involuntary poverty. Keyword: pacifism (The Catholic Worker, April 1955, 2, 7. DDLW #686).

Summary: Deplores the destitution brought on by the present social order of capitalist industrialism, describing their soup line. In contrast, lauds the self-sufficient life of Hutterite communities. Supports organic gardening. Concludes the solution to physical destitution is through spiritual means: “We are en-route, on pilgrimage, and our job is to trust, to hope and to pray, and also to work ‘to make that kind of a social order when it is easier for man to be good.’” (The Catholic Worker, March 1955, 1, 4. DDLW #683).

Summary: On a long winter trip through Minnesota, North Dakota, and Montana she tells of efforts for the common good of many people and parishes. Comments on the plight of Mexicans and Indians. Keywords: community, liturgy, personal responsibility (The Catholic Worker, February 1955, 1, 4, 6. DDLW #682).

Summary: Exhorts us to learn to see the poor in our midst alongside our comfortable and prosperous lives, especially the migrant and racially discriminated against. Calls for a balanced social order based on distributist principles of ownership. Quotes Pope Pius XII on our personal responsibility to aid the poor. Keywords: voluntary poverty, distributism (The Catholic Worker, January 1955, 1, 6. DDLW #680).

Summary: Visits friends and workers throughout the Midwest noting how each lives out the practice of the works of mercy and “Catholic activities.” Suggests that if we don’t face social issues as they come up we will gradually lose out freedom, “this great gift of God.” (The Catholic Worker, January 1955, 2, 6. DDLW #681).

Summary: Diary-like account of talks and visits to friends in Massachusetts, Minnesota, Chicago, and Milwaukee. Relishes reporting on the apostolates of lay and clergy alike. Notes her attraction to the Abbey of St. Procopius. (The Catholic Worker, December 1954, 2,6. DDLW #679).

Summary: Tender obituary of Fr. Pacifique Roy telling of his long involvement with the Catholic Worker–his love of work, reverent way he said Mass, joy in feasting, and how he introduced the workers to the famous “retreat” which “made us feel the power of love.” Writes of his illness and death in his native Quebec. (The Catholic Worker, November 1954, 1, 6. DDLW #675).

Summary: Appeals for help to continue the works of mercy at the Catholic Worker houses and farms which is a reflection of God’s love for us. Says the ideal is that every parish have a mutual aid center. (The Catholic Worker, November 1954, 2. DDLW #676).

Summary: Highlights from letters from those connected to the Catholic Worker community. She extols their hard work and struggles. (The Catholic Worker, November 1954, 3, 8. DDLW #677).

Summary: Recommends many books: novels, history, about saints, social teachings of the Church. Singles out a book for teaching children about God and one about Martin de Porres. (The Catholic Worker, November 1954, 4. DDLW #678).

Summary: Comments on a potpourri of events–Halloween costumes of the saints, hurricane Carol, pacifist conference, and irritations while saying the community rosary. (The Catholic Worker, October 1954, 2, 7. DDLW #238).

Summary: A testament of Vito Marcantonio’s political work with the poor. Seen as a Communist sympathizer, he is denied a Church burial. She says he lived Matthew 25 and did the works of mercy. Keywords: obituary (The Catholic Worker, September 1954, 1, 6. DDLW #674).

Summary: Recoils at the senseless murders of “bums” by four youths on August 16, 1954, in Brooklyn. Links this violence to the hate and fear of the McCarthy anti-communist hearings in Washington and the violence of weapons of mass destruction. Keywords: non-violence (The Catholic Worker, September 1954, 1, 8. DDLW #673).

Summary: Chronicles the comings and goings of visitors and workers. Notes the crafts they practice and some of the trials that ensue. Ammon Hennacy begins another fast protesting atomic weapons. Keywords: retreat, fasting (The Catholic Worker, September 1954, 2,6 DDLW #672).

Summary: Reflects on her and other’s personal interests that flower into beauty and works of mercy, as well as renewing us. Summarizes the content of a recent retreat and the notes the importance of silence. (The Catholic Worker, July-August 1954, 3, 6. DDLW #671).

Summary: Expresses her love of the Church, priests, and the sacraments against the backdrop of remembering Peter Maurin’s death while going to a solemn Mass. Remembers Peter’s habit of daily Mass and Communion. (The Catholic Worker, June 1954, 1, 4. DDLW #669).