Saint Dorothy | February 6

Saint Dorothy Day

Feastday: February 6

Servant of God Dorothy Day

Short Bio
Servant of God Dorothy Day was an American journalist, social activist, and Catholic convert who co-founded the Catholic Worker Movement. Her work inspired countless others and earned her recognition as one of the most influential Catholic figures of the 20th century.

Biography
Dorothy Day was born on November 8, 1897, in Brooklyn, New York and was raised in a secular household. As a young adult, she pursued a career in journalism and became involved in left-wing political activism. She wrote for several socialist and anarchist publications, including The Call and The Masses. In November 1917, she was arrested for her participation in a suffragist protest in front of the White House.

In 1926, following the birth and baptism of her daughter, Day's converted to Catholicism. She was inspired by the writings of Catholic thinkers such as Thomas Merton and Peter Maurin, who emphasized the importance of social justice and the role of the individual in effecting positive change. Six years later, in 1933, Day co-founded the Catholic Worker Movement with Maurin.

The Catholic Worker Movement was based on the principles of Catholic social teaching, which emphasized the dignity of the human person, the common good, and solidarity with the poor. The movement's aim was to provide direct aid to those in need, while also working to change the social structures that cause people’s poverty and injustice in the first place. The Catholic Worker Movement established "houses of hospitality" where volunteers provided free food, shelter, and other forms of assistance to the homeless and unemployed.

Day was a tireless advocate for peace and nonviolence. She opposed war and nuclear weapons as well as supported conscientious objectors during World War II. She was also involved in the civil rights movement and supported the work of figures such as Martin Luther King, Jr. and Cesar Chavez. She was arrested several times for her activism, including during protests against New York’s civil defense drills and against the Vietnam War.

During her life, Day remained deeply committed to her Catholic faith. She attended daily Mass and prayed the rosary regularly. She believed that her work with the poor and marginalized was a form of prayer and saw her vocation as one of service to God. She also had a deep reverence for the sacraments and encouraged others to embrace them as a means of encountering Christ.

Day's work had a profound impact on the Catholic Church. She received countless awards and was recognized widely as someone who made an incredible impact on the Church during the early and mid-20th century, contributing to establishing non-violence as a Catholic principal. In 1980, Dorothy Day died of a heart attack at the age of 83. Her cause for sainthood was opened by Pope John Paul II in March of 2000 and she is considered a “Servant of God.”

Prayer

Merciful God, You called your servant Dorothy Day to show us the face of Jesus in the poor and forsaken. By constant practice of the works of mercy, she embraced poverty and witnessed steadfastly to justice and peace. Count her among your saints and lead us all to become friends of the poor ones of the earth, and to recognize you in them.
We ask this through your Son Jesus Christ, bringer of good news to the poor.
Amen.

(Prayer Source: https://catholicworker.org/prayers-for-the-canonization-of-dorothy-day/)

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