At their November meeting, the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops advanced the cause of sainthood for activist and founder of the Catholic Worker movement, Dorothy Day.
Cardinal Timothy Dolan, president of the USCCB, led the bishops in discussion in his role as archbishop of New York, which is overseeing the cause stating that: “I am convinced she is a saint for our time. She exemplifies what’s best in Catholic life, that ability we have to be ‘both-and’ not ‘either-or.’”
Dorothy Day was born in 1897 to a non-practicing Protestant family. After dropping out of the University of Illinois she moved to New York City to work as a journalist for leftist newspapers. In 1927 she had a spiritual awakening with the joy that she felt upon the birth of her daughter, Tamar. Soon afterwards she converted to the Catholic Faith. She was influenced by her firsthand witness of many of the workers and working poor people she wrote about as a journalist and also by two roommates who were devout Catholics.
As a Catholic, she devoted her life to the principles of Catholic social justice, including pacifism and the promotion of peace along with the dedication and service to the poor. The work of peace and social justice she advocated for continues to this day in the more than 200 Catholic Worker houses of hospitality that continue to serve the poor across the nation. Many who follow her example today continue to protest on behalf of peace and against war. When asked by a liberal journalist about her deep faith and concern for the poor and the cause of peace, Dorothy Day’s responded: “those who cannot see Christ in the poor are atheists indeed.” Her advocacy for the poor and peace was rooted in her deep Catholic Faith.
In an age of increasing economic uncertainty and poverty, violence and war, there is much need of the powerful witness that the life, faith and work of Dorothy Day offers our world. From budget cuts that may seemingly push the poor aside to the continued immoral drone attacks that wantonly kill innocent civilians, the wisdom and faith of Dorothy Day calls forth Catholics and all people of good will to unite for justice and peace in face of sin and evil. “Don't call me a saint. I don't want to be dismissed so easily,” she once sarcastically remarked. Let us not dismiss her but pray for her cause for sainthood and in faith may we turn to the Servant of God, Dorothy Day, to intercede and pray for us.
