Dorothy Day

Late last year, I received an ad in the mail to subscribe to the New York Times at a discounted rate, home delivery.  I was missing the days when I could pick up a newspaper from my sidewalk, then spend a leisurely few hours reading the news.  Since I had at one time delivered the Phila Inquirer, I generally purchased subscriptions to that paper, but always wanted to try the Times, so I signed up for a 10 week trial.

I have been rewarded ten fold by my decision, an example being an article I read in the Metropolitan section this past week.

Dorothy Day lived from 1897 until 1980 and is known for her work as a journalist, Catholic reformer and activist, but the article which brought her to my attention concerned the ongoing investigation by the Roman Catholic Church to decide if she should be canonized as a saint. 

A saint you say?  That is still a thing?

Apparently so, although once one begins to delve into the life of Dorothy Day, the irony of such an investigation is apparent.  Above all, Dorothy was committed to social justice for the poor and oppressed.  After spending most of her youth engaged in a "bohemian" lifestyle, she turned towards Catholicism for spiritual guidance.  She was, to coin a phrase, both politically radical and theologically orthodox, a description which I confess I have rarely encountered, and to honest, wonder how it would be possible to attain such a label today.  Think of it, a person so devoted to service and actions which address the inequalities of today's isms yet is able to resist the pressures to seek resources and favor from the associations that advocate similar goals but demand unquestioning allegiance to the dogma of that group.

For instance, Dorothy formed the Catholic Worker Movement in the 1930's, which challenged the notion that employers could treat employees with little concern for them as people.  Even when those employers happened to the the Archdiocese of New York! Dorothy's concept of rights for the worker, sounded an awful like the words used by the communists of the time.  In fact, although Dorothy was never anti-private ownership of businesses and the means of production, she did recognize the importance of the communist ideal of a more powerful and emboldened proletariat (in other words, working class people). So, Dorothy sympathized with the communist ideal, yet believed it could achieved within a capitalist economy while attacking the accumulation of power. resources and wealth for the few to the detriment of the workers, all embodied in her beliefs that the teachings of Christ demanded such a perspective.  Wow, talk about paradox upon paradox!

Towards such goals, Dorothy founded the Catholic Worker newspaper along with Peter Maurin, priced at a penny an issue in keeping with her lack of ambition for money. (I am toying with the idea of purchasing a subscription, although it appears that it is only published 7 times a year). 

In addition to the newspaper, the Catholic Worker Movement which became the practical arm of her beliefs, established houses and small communities where members lived for free while providing services for the poor, a few which continue to exist today.  Kind of like communes with a catholic flare!

Considering her early lifestyle, her agreement with a number of communist beliefs, her unwavering crusade against any form of worker abuse, even those by the Catholic Church, it is quite remarkable that she is being considered for sainthood.  Of course, those within the Church conveniently skip over the parts of her life that run counter to the accepted dogmas, but at least they recognize a true Christian and follower of Jesus's commands from the Sermon on the Mount, when they see one.

I agree with some Dorothy Day admirers that I doubt she would encourage the pursuit for her to be a saint.  I am sure she would much prefer the money to be used for the poor, rather than to investigate her worthiness.  She clearly eschewed recognition, perhaps seeking only the positive judgement of her savior and creator.  

Perhaps I am naive, or jaded, in wondering if there are many Dorothy Days among us, or many groups who truly believe in the words of those for whom the various religions have been founded.  Organizations which put the service and those being helped above any positive public perception or monetary gains such lofty and worthy goals may generate. It is similar to the battle endemic in writing; one hopes to attain some measure of fame or security yet must consciously avoid the types of topics that can attract such rewards but do not make the world (those who read one's words) any better. 

Obviously, I never met Dorothy.  I really don't know how often she became frustrated in her attempts to live her religious ideals in a secular world where even those within her (and all) religions, did not seem to share her unwavering belief that the poor, the oppressed, the neglected, were not the inevitable byproduct of life on earth, but a way for her to live up to the challenge of reflecting the love that her creator bestowed upon her, upon all men and women. Perhaps then, she deserves to be called a saint. Not just because of what she did, but because she never wavered from her principles, as is documented in the fact that even in her last decade she demonstrated her belief in pacifism by protesting the Vietnam War which again put her the outside of establishment mores and standards.

If you wish to read the article I referred to, here is a link.

https://www.nytimes.com/2022/01/21/nyregion/dorothy-day-sainthood.html