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Reflections During Advent, Week Two: The Meaning of Poverty

Dorothy DayByDorothy Day

Summary: Gives examples of false voluntary poverty and refutes the notion that real poverty doesn’t exist. Challenges everyone to a personal response, not a government one, to poverty and to ask ourselves “What shall we do?” Gives examples and concludes that all can do something and that whatever work of mercy we perform we “do it for love of Jesus, in His humanity, for love of our brother, for love of our enemy.” Points to the scandal of the wealth of the Church and thanks God for the sacraments and the Word in the Scriptures–our light and our food. (DDLW #560). Ave Maria, December 3, 1966, pp.21-22, 29.

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Fall Appeal (October/November 1966)

Dorothy DayByDorothy Day

Summary: She asks for help–“It is hard to be a beggar.” Admires the voluntary poverty of St. Francis, Gandhi, and Peter Maurin. In contrast, the “destitute and dissolute” are often despised as “bums” in the city and we fail to see “the sacred element in every human being.” (Simone Weil) (DDLW #844). The Catholic Worker, October-November 1966, 2.

 

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On Pilgrimage (February 1965)

Dorothy DayByDorothy Day

Summary: Travels to North Carolina and Georgia to speak and visit friends. Recapitulates basic Catholic Worker ideas in a question and answer format. Comments on the government’s war on poverty, Communism in Cuba, the role of the Church in society, Vatican II, and the gap between haves and havenots. Keywords: war, voluntary poverty, work (DDLW #822). The Catholic Worker, February 1965, 1, 6.

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On Pilgrimage (September 1964)

Dorothy DayByDorothy Day

Summary: Urges direct action on behalf of the poor instead of just being critical of the clergy. Criticizes the bureaucracy of the War on Poverty and quotes from the Sermon on the Mount to stress the need for individual action, particularly in regards to helping African-Americans. Keywords: non-violence, voluntary poverty (DDLW #818). The Catholic Worker, September 1964, 2, 8. The Catholic Worker, September 1964, 2, 8.

 

On Pilgrimage: December
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On Pilgrimage: December

Dorothy DayByDorothy Day

Summary: Meditation on the spiritual weapons of voluntary poverty and manual labor. Lists work to be avoided and personal practices of nonparticipation while exploitation in labor continues. Calls for decentralized living. Recommends growing in acceptance of God’s providence and seeing good in others. Reflects on silence during Advent, a time of waiting and a time to examine one’s conscience, a time “to see only what is loveable.” (DDLW #486). On Pilgrimage , Catholic Worker Books, New York, 1948.

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Without Poverty We Are Powerless

Dorothy DayByDorothy Day

Summary: Asserts the importance of voluntary poverty even if it means we are fools for Christ. Then gives a loving appreciation of Peter Maurin’s holy poverty, blending light-hearted stories and a graphic description of his dementia and silent suffering. Quotes from Fr. Faber on death in anticipation of Peter’s death within a year. (DDLW #468). The Catholic Worker, May 1948, 2, 7.

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What Dream Did They Dream? Utopia or Suffering?

Dorothy DayByDorothy Day

Summary: A self-critical appraisal of the Catholic Worker movement’s first fifteen years. Readily accepts criticism of their ideals of voluntary poverty and pacifism, failure to implement Peter Maurin’s vision, of rigorous and demanding retreats, of internal dissent, and of their approach to helping the poor. Says they have not been good servants nor recognized the failure of the cross and the need to die to self. Says they are in a time of transition with only ten houses remaining. (DDLW #456). The Catholic Worker, July-August 1947, 1, 4, 6, 8.

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More About Holy Poverty Which Is Voluntary Poverty

Dorothy DayByDorothy Day

Summary: “Am I my brothers keeper?” Argues that increased state intervention limits personal freedom and responsibility. Sees the social security legislation and other state programs as taking responsibility from the community, parish, family and person. Voluntary poverty on the other hand promotes responsibility, since it comes directly from the person. (DDLW #150). The Catholic Worker, February 1945, 1-2.

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More About Holy Poverty. Which Is Voluntary Poverty

Dorothy DayByDorothy Day

Summary: Describes her trip to Antigonish, Nova Scotia and her stay with the community. Discusses her meeting with the United Mine Workers and how cooperative stores there have built a spiritual foundation for their material needs distribution. Comments on the community’s independence and its inter-dependence on one other. (DDLW #146). The Catholic Worker, September 1938, 1,3,4.