Dorothy Day was one of the 20th century's most prominent lay Catholics. As her canonization cause continues, a new book seeks to inform the public on the origins of Day's mission and inspire its emulation today.
TERRENCE C. WRIGHT
Author, “Dorothy Day: An Introduction to Her Life and Thought”
“If we think of the saints as giving us a life of virtue that we can model, I think she's a profoundly important model for our contemporary society; both in the sort of life that she led, and found in God's mercy the courage to change that life, and also just as the daily witness to our obligation to others, a daily witness to the love of Jesus Christ and to the Church.”
Following many difficulties as a young adult – including failed relationships, an abortion and a suicide attempt – Day converted to Catholicism.
Viewing the birth of her daughter as a concrete example of God's love, she felt called to show His mercy to others. Day went on to dedicate her life to the less fortunate and became a strong activist, also using her experience as a writer to reflect on spirituality.
TERRENCE C. WRIGHT
Author, “Dorothy Day: An Introduction to Her Life and Thought”
“Her writings – even those that are considered her spiritual writings – are very concrete, based on real-life examples. They're very engaging in that way. She saw it as an opportunity to practice the spiritual works of mercy – to council the doubtful, to comfort the sorrowful, to admonish the sinner.”
With this piece, the author hopes to shed more light on Servant of God Dorothy Day's philosophy – one inspired by St. Francis of Assisi and one that has surely inspired his namesake.
