I really appreciate this piece! It’s been hard for me to get through her writing, but I keep meaning to- literally on my bedside table at the moment. (I do read “Dorothy and the Great Quake” regularly because my kids love it, so that’s something) I’m similarly of two minds about her sometimes- for example, on the one hand, when women are often measured in holiness by their “kid outcomes output”, it’s encouraging in some ways that she’s a Servant of God despite her descendants not being Catholic, but on the other, her difficulties as a mother are hard to confront. I’ve also had some bummer experiences with Catholic Worker and wish they were perhaps more open/collaborative. (And yes, collaboration across “party lines” should be better everywhere along the spectrum.) When I lived near a military base, I really wanted to be involved with the local CW group but their primary activity at that time was protesting the base… was not particularly welcome as a military spouse. However, I did just check back and that area has a house of hospitality now, homeless services program, etc which I would have loved while I was there!
What a privilege to hold Dorothy Day’s writings in your hands! She’s one of my favorite people. When I was in college, she came and gave a talk to the students. I had been reading about her for years, and I had read a lot of her writings. It was such a blessing to hear her in person.
She was a little old lady who slowly walked across the stage, with a cane. And then gave a powerful talk. She was not done getting arrested for participating in demonstrations. I think she was arrested again about a year after giving her talk.
Thanks for this. I need to read more about her, and now I’m inspired to do so! I think it is so important to remember that Saints were real people with real problems and petty issues, just like… humans! But that they found a way to do good (sometimes in spite of themselves) and I find that so heartening every day!
Also, yay Peter Mayle! I have also read all of his memoirs about Provence, and they, along with Guy Gavriel Kay’s novel Ysabel, inspired a trip to Provence in 2017. I will be joining you on the pilgrimage in October (can’t wait!) and am thrilled about all of it, not least the chance to visit Provence again- which has been calling to my heart ever since I left. Side note, have you read any of his fiction? He has a few- what I would describe as sort of light-hearted adventure/capers set in southern France as well. They were enjoyable to read.
I love. Thank you for writing this. I think there is something very special about Dorothy Day’s willingness to get her hands dirty and look darkness in the face, that made her able to connect with people stuck in that darkness, and bring them towards light. Her life reminds me that holy work can be gritty and tough, and God’s mercy extends into the darkest corners of life.
I really appreciate this piece! It’s been hard for me to get through her writing, but I keep meaning to- literally on my bedside table at the moment. (I do read “Dorothy and the Great Quake” regularly because my kids love it, so that’s something) I’m similarly of two minds about her sometimes- for example, on the one hand, when women are often measured in holiness by their “kid outcomes output”, it’s encouraging in some ways that she’s a Servant of God despite her descendants not being Catholic, but on the other, her difficulties as a mother are hard to confront. I’ve also had some bummer experiences with Catholic Worker and wish they were perhaps more open/collaborative. (And yes, collaboration across “party lines” should be better everywhere along the spectrum.) When I lived near a military base, I really wanted to be involved with the local CW group but their primary activity at that time was protesting the base… was not particularly welcome as a military spouse. However, I did just check back and that area has a house of hospitality now, homeless services program, etc which I would have loved while I was there!
Yeah the CW system is really tricky because each operates entirely on its own, so you definitely have better or worse ones IMHO!
The phrase that made my day: Dorothy Gave Zero Shits
What a privilege to hold Dorothy Day’s writings in your hands! She’s one of my favorite people. When I was in college, she came and gave a talk to the students. I had been reading about her for years, and I had read a lot of her writings. It was such a blessing to hear her in person.
You've seen her IN PERSON!? That's amazing!!!
She was a little old lady who slowly walked across the stage, with a cane. And then gave a powerful talk. She was not done getting arrested for participating in demonstrations. I think she was arrested again about a year after giving her talk.
Thanks for this. I need to read more about her, and now I’m inspired to do so! I think it is so important to remember that Saints were real people with real problems and petty issues, just like… humans! But that they found a way to do good (sometimes in spite of themselves) and I find that so heartening every day!
Also, yay Peter Mayle! I have also read all of his memoirs about Provence, and they, along with Guy Gavriel Kay’s novel Ysabel, inspired a trip to Provence in 2017. I will be joining you on the pilgrimage in October (can’t wait!) and am thrilled about all of it, not least the chance to visit Provence again- which has been calling to my heart ever since I left. Side note, have you read any of his fiction? He has a few- what I would describe as sort of light-hearted adventure/capers set in southern France as well. They were enjoyable to read.
I love. Thank you for writing this. I think there is something very special about Dorothy Day’s willingness to get her hands dirty and look darkness in the face, that made her able to connect with people stuck in that darkness, and bring them towards light. Her life reminds me that holy work can be gritty and tough, and God’s mercy extends into the darkest corners of life.
Same. <3