a Day to remember

I encountered Dorothy Day in my independent study of civil rights activists post-college, and she immediately became a source of inspiration to me. Day’s most lasting legacy, Catholic Worker Houses, have continued despite her death 25 years ago. The New York Times had this to say about CWHs today:

“Lots of organizations want to lift up the poor, oppose war and reshape society, but few try to do so with no governing structure, no official means of support, no paid staff members and - since Day's death on Nov. 29, 1980 - no leader.
Members still dedicate themselves to voluntary poverty, nonviolence and hard work. They make soup, give away coats, visit prisoners and the sick, protest against war and publish a newspaper that sells, as it did in the 1930's, for a penny.
Catholic Worker houses have sprung up in cities and rural areas across the country and in Canada and Europe. In keeping with Day's pacifism and cranky independence, the group has no income, so sends no taxes to the military. It is not a registered non-profit…the place worked because it stayed small - about 30 people, both street people and volunteers, live in each house, sharing food and chores. Prayers and meetings are optional, and being Catholic or even Christian is not required.”

May the work of these humble and persistent people continue as long there is need.