Dorothy Day: Selected Writings

by Robert Ellsberg (Editor)

This edition of Dorothy Selected Writings marks the twenty-fifth anniversary of death of one of the most challenging and inspiring figures of recent history. Dorthy Day (1897-1980) was co-founder of the Catholic Worker movement, and currently a candidate for sainthood in the Catholic Church. In her lifelong option for the poor and her unstinting devotion to active nonviolence, Day fashioned a new face for the gospel in our time.
Dorothy Selected Writings is widely recognized as the essential and authoritative guide to her life and work. The writings collected here reflect her meditative, ironical, combative, filled with love for the Catholic Worker family, and suffused with her special sense of the 'holy sublimity of the everyday.'

Genres: Spirituality, Nonfiction, Religion, Catholic, Christianity, Theology, Christian

371 pages, Paperback

First published April 15, 2005

Reviews

[Caleb · Rating 5 out of 5]

These essays and excerpts from Dorothy Day's life demand some sort of response. Now that you know about Day's interpretation of Christ's social ethic and her tireless effort to do it, what will you do now?

I'm also fascinated with the person behind these writings: her singular conviction, intelligence, grace, and humility. Is there anyone like this today? We have lost something vital.

I read this book under the theme of hospitality, and Day's life puts most of us to shame on that front. But there is so much more here about living with intellectual and political integrity and the ways that faith can shape a life that reverberates into the lives of others.

Particularly moving are the excerpts from Day's final years, where the fragilities of old age that are particularly stark in contrast to her active life, but without a trace of bitterness or despair. Her profiles offer wonderful and sometimes profound glimpses into the lives of people who passed through Catholic Worker lives: the Priest who lost his mind and wandered back to Quebec; the man who used barbed wire as a belt as penance for the Vietnam War; and Mr. O'Connell, the curmudgeon who tried Day's patience while living at Maryfarm for a decade. Day writes beautifully about these and other characters, giving a clear sense of them as people while connecting their lives to larger spiritual realities.

The book itself can be a bit repetitive because it consists of essays, editorials, and excerpts, organized by theme, rather than being a coherent work. Its consistency, however, is instructive. But the words themselves are inspiring and true and the book has made me want to read more of her longer works and to learn more about her life and the Catholic Worker Movement. A fascinating woman.

[Talia · Rating 4 out of 5]

I renewed this twice and still wasn't able to finish it... not because it was a hard read, I just really wanted to digest everything I was reading. Needless to say, I needed to return it to the library a lot earlier than I was ready to, so I will have to request it again soon and finish it. I find her life fascinating, and I actually took a class with the author as part of my graduate studies at BC, so I was very interested to read this particular account of her life. I think he did a great job pulling the excerpts from all of her various writings (journals, articles, letters, etc) and arranging them- I'm sure it wasn't an easy task! Either way, the writings of Dorothy Day are always a (morally) challenging and fascinating read.

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dorothy Day is AMAZING. A 20th century gem who lived a life serving others. A woman way ahead of her time, her life merged of politics, religion, economics and social justice, particularly as it folds into the Catholic church but not exclusively so. Having been raised without religion and having a child out of wedlock with an anarchist/athiest she is truly able to reflect on the full spectrum of the 20th century American life.
The only reason I don't give this 5 stars is it read a little choppy. It is "selected writings" but I had a little trouble keeping up with the vast amount of people who were in her absolutely extraordinary life and losing the reference points took away from the book a bit.

[Beth · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book over a two-year period as my spiritual reading. It added much to my understanding of the spirituality and practice of social justice.

Even though she didn't want her work and those of her Catholic Worker companions to be "dismissed so easily" and the Catholic Church has ignored her, Dorothy Day is unquestionably a saint IMHO for her devotion to nonviolence and justice for people in poverty, and for her deeply spiritual and inspiring writing.

As a Catholic-turned-Quaker I would recommend this book to anyone of any (or no) religion looking to explore nonviolence and social justice as a spiritual and/or life path.

[Heather · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a good book to keep on the nightstand and read a chapter here and there...It's snippets from Dorothy Day's writings and life and give a glimpse of her life and servanthood. She met people where they were at and came with compassion and love...She is upfront with her own sin and weakness, and not pretentious in her own righteousness (which I'm sure she'd deny). Her writings and insights are applicable to Christian's today, a refreshing reminder of how to serve and love in today's world.

[Ben Valentine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dorothy Day blows me away and challenges me so much in her writings. We writes with so much beauty yet also with a raw directness that gets to your heart. She writes on the Catholic worker movement, The Works of Mercy, and her experiences working with the poor. You will more or less understand the heart of the Christian life after reading this: that we must give of ourselves as Christ gave of Himself and fight for justice in the world.

[CHRISTOPHER FOLEY · Rating 4 out of 5]

I recently learned about Dorothy Day from a Facebook post. She went to jail for demonstrating about the right to vote for women. She went to prison 11 times, mostly for demonstrating for peace, the poor, and workers. She was one of the most courageous people in history. She lived by her convictions, regardless of her personal sacrifice. She taught by her writing and example that we must love each other. That means all of us. Enemies too.

[Heather S. Jones]

i have been touched by the snippets i've heard and come across -- i haven't yet read her work & musings and can't remember the origins of my discovery but have noted down the following which were attributed to her: "There can be no brotherhood without the Fatherhood of God"; "Worship, adoration, thanksgiving, supplication. . . are the noblest acts of which we are capable in this life."

[Lisa Powell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Elementary (read to), middle school, high school, ethics and theology.

Day is a Catholic writer, one of the main figures of the Catholic Worker Movement. She worked with the poor and as a pacifist after converting away from her early years where she was interested in communism, had a child out of wedlock. Very interesting essays, most students will need some guidance for context.

[Nick · Rating 5 out of 5]

These selections from Dorothy Day's writings are simply wonderful, inspiring pieces that I turn to again and again to deepen my understanding of nonviolence, of love and of justice. A must-read book for everyone!

[Mary Helene · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm still reading this book. Because it's an anthology of her writing, it feels best to read in short bits every day. I remember Nick reading it every morning for about a year; I'm following his example. Her clear, sweet moral vision is razor sharp without being harsh.

[Lauren · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book and I found a new love in Dorothy Day! I found her insight astounding and I learned many things from her about social issues, poverty and the work force. She is an inspiration. I hope she is canonized some day soon.

[Renzo · Rating 4 out of 5]

Didn't know too much about Dorothy Day, so these selected writings were a great introduction to this truly impressive woman. What a life - and what an example for everyone to follow, if only in small ways...

[Sandra · Rating 5 out of 5]

I will never stop reading this book as I find inspiration in the life and character of Dorothy Day. Like Flannery O'Connor, I find both women to be heroic and worthy of admiration for their honesty, faithfulness to their beliefs and manner of expressing themselves.

[Sr Nicole · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was fantastic.

[Mandi Aubrey · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my heroes.

[Marc · Rating 5 out of 5]

A must read for those convicted by our Lord's command to help the least of these.

[ninamo · Rating 3 out of 5]

Humble & inspiring -- yet revolutionary -- simple, pithy gems..

[Megan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dorothy Day should be more widely explored as a theologian in Christian circles of all denominations. I enjoyed exploring her thoughts here, in this compendium of excerpts covering the decades of her work. The editing was occasionally, but rarely, disjointed, and a few ideas repeated more than necessary, but this book is very thought-provoking, highly valuable, and a great way to explore Day’s work.

[Nandra Perry · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another book that took me a while to finish. This time because Dorothy Day's life and thoughts about her life outstrip her sometimes clunky prose, which was never intended to entertain. Also, sometimes I needed to pause because her life and thoughts deserve time to sink in. Her Christianity is challenging. Prophetic. Consistent. Care-ful. I'm better for sticking with this read and I'm carrying it with me into my own practice.

[Kathy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dorthy Day was a very prolific author and the editor did a fantastic job choosing pieces that represent her thoughts at various times in her life. The book allows the reader to see how she changes but remains committed to helping the poor and advocating for peace.

[sare · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very decent collection

[Gina Ulicny · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 SHINING STARS. I should read this again.

[karter stanton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Making Catholicism cool again (Dorothy Day changed my life)?

[Julia Jordan-Lake · Rating 5 out of 5]

“All the way to heaven is heaven”.

[Zannelle Iwen · Rating 5 out of 5]

An amazing, amazing life

[Roger Collin · Rating 4 out of 5]

An excellent snapshot of Dorothy Day’s ability to write about social justice and the plight of the poor. The Preface and the Introduction provide a good backdrop for the rest of the book.

[Sue · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful, inspiring read. I learned a lot about social justice and how one can make a difference. The faith this woman holds and lives through shines in her writing and is something within anyone's capability.

[Georgie Alef]

She was the cofounder of the catholic worker movement. She is one of the most inspiring figures of recent history. By her lifelong option f or the poor and her devotion to active nonviolence Day fashioned her cause for canonization, and she was officially termed “Servant of God”/ To mark the occasion, Orbis is pleased to issue an anniversary edition of Dorothy Day. This book. I noted that she suffered ridicule and hardship in writing her paper. Because she gave everything to the poor she was always in need of money. She said things in her paper the Catholic Church did not want to hear at the time.