The Catholic Worker movement led by Dorothy Day and Peter Maurin sought to invigorate and give new life to the radical vision of Christianity. At the heart of that vision is the practice of the corporal and spiritual works of mercy:
Day 4, Works of Mercy
Admin • December 3, 2022
- Feed the Hungry – Instruct the Ignorant
- Give Drink to the Thirsty – Counsel the Doubtful
- Clothe the Naked – Admonish the Sinner
- Visit the Imprisoned – Comfort the Sorrowful
- Shelter the Homeless – Bear Wrongs Patiently
- Visit the Sick – Forgive All Injuries
- Bury the Dead – Pray for the Living and the Dead
Servant of God Dorothy Day, intercede for us; pray that we grow in courage and faith to follow our own path to holiness.
We pray for the grace and desire to bear witness to our faith through the daily practice of the works of mercy.
“When Peter Maurin talked about the necessity of practicing the works of mercy, he meant all of them. He envisioned houses of hospitality in poor parishes in every city of the country, where these precepts of our Lord could be put into effect. He pointed out that we … no longer practice personal responsibility, but are repeating the words of the first murderer, ‘Am I my brother’s keeper?” –Dorothy Day, “The Scandal of the Works of Mercy,” Commonweal, November 4, 1949
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Dear friends and members of the Dorothy Day Guild, Greetings! As always, we hope that this missive finds you healthy and well as many of us settle into a new seasonal rhythm. September is a month of many feast days and celebrations, and for those of us in the United States, it’s also back-to-school season, which brings its own wave of fresh energy and excitement. This month has flown by, but we wanted to write and share some invitations, articles, and new resources for prayer and study with you.
Dear Dorothy Day Guild members and friends, Greetings and peace to each of you, your families, and your communities. As always, we hope this missive finds you well. This month’s update is a quick one, but we have a few invitations for fall events to share with you, as well as some reading and listening recommendations (including a collection of audio recordings of Dorothy’s talks and lectures you may not have heard before!) for the end of the season. Thank you so much for your enthusiastic support for our cause; keep reading to learn more about how you can continue to be involved in the coming months!
Dear Dorothy Day Guild friends and members, We hope that all of you are well, and for those in the United States, that you had a safe and happy July 4th weekend! Fifty years ago, for America’s Bicentennial anniversary, National Catholic Reporter included a six-page spread of greetings, poetry, and commentary from both ordinary and prominent American Catholics. Dorothy responded to their request for a quote with a one-word message to her country: “Repent.”