In My Own Words

by Dorothy Day, Phyllis Zagano (Editor)

A twentieth-century Catholic activist, founder of the Catholic Worker movement and its newspaper, "The Catholic Worker," and candidate for sainthood are just a few descriptions of Dorothy Day. In this volume, Phyllis Zagano has compiled and arranged long and short selections from Dorothy Day's own writings which reflect her gospel-based spirituality. In addition, "Dorothy Day: In My Own Words" is illustrated with photographs from every stage of Dorothy Day's adult life. The corporal and spiritual works of mercy are an underlying theme.

Genres: Catholic, Theology, Christianity

118 pages, Hardcover

First published October 15, 2002

About the author

Dorothy Day was an American journalist, social activist and anarchist who, after a bohemian youth, became a Catholic Christian without in any way abandoning her social and anarchist activism. She was perhaps the best-known political radical in the American Catholic Church. In the 1930s, Day worked closely with fellow activist Peter Maurin to establish the Catholic Worker movement, a nonviolent, pacifist movement that continues to combine direct aid for the poor and homeless with nonviolent direct action on their behalf.

A revered figure within the U.S. Catholic community, Day's cause for canonization was recently open by the Catholic Church.

Reviews

[Gregory · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was my first exposure to Dorothy Day (besides a few quotes here and there). What a remarkable lady! This is a great little introduction to an intellectual brave enough to follow the Crucified Lord in a life of humble service and voluntary poverty. Her words are challenging--but then again, so were the words of Jesus.

"We cannot love God unless we love each other, and to love we must know each other. We know him in the breaking of bread, and we are not alone any more. Heaven is a banquet and life is a banquet, too, even with a crust, where there is companionship.

We have all known the long loneliness and we have learned that the only solution is love and that love comes with community" (The Catholic Worker, May 1980).

[Kathy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quick read of remarkable quotes of a woman who made a difference is so many significant ways during her time. I read this hoping it might be a worth discussion book. It is not that, but it is well worth the read.