emma_goldman
15th June 2006, 18:08
Comments? :)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Catholic_Worker_Movement
The Catholic Worker Movement is a Christian anarchist organisation
founded by Dorothy Day and Peter Maurin in 1933, whose aim is to "live in
accordance with the justice and charity of Jesus Christ."[1] One of its
guiding principles is hospitality towards those on the margin of
society. To this end there are over 185 local Catholic Worker communities
providing social services. Each house has a different mission, going about the
work of social justice in their own ways, suited to their region of the
country. The group also campaigns for nonviolence and is active in
protesting war, as well as the unequal distribution of wealth globally.
Dorothy Day also founded The Catholic Worker newspaper which is still
published, and sold at 1 cent per copy.
"Our rule is the works of mercy," said Dorothy Day. "It is the way of
sacrifice, worship, a sense of reverence."
[edit]
Beliefs of the Catholic Worker
According to co-founder Peter Maurin, the following are the beliefs of
the Catholic Worker:[2]
gentle personalism of traditional Catholicism.
personal obligation of looking after the needs of our brother.
daily practice of the Works of Mercy.
Houses of Hospitality for the immediate relief of those who are in
need.
establishment of Farming Communes where each one works according to his
ability and gets according to his need.
creating a new society within the shell of the old with the philosophy
of
the new, which is not a new philosophy but a very old philosophy, a
philosophy so old that it looks like new.
[edit]
Background and Mission
Logo of Catholic WorkerThe Catholic Worker movement was founded in 1933
during the Great Depression by Dorothy Day at the urging of Peter
Maurin. It is best known for houses of hospitality located in run-down sections
of many cities, though a number of Catholic Worker centers exist in rural
areas. Food, clothing, shelter and welcome is extended by unpaid
volunteers to those in need according to the ability of each household.
In 1995 there were 134 Catholic Worker communities, all but three in the
United States.
The Catholic Worker is also the name of a newspaper published by the
Catholic Worker community in New York City. From 1933 until her death
in 1980, the editor was Dorothy Day, a journalist who was received into
the Catholic Church in 1927. Writers for the paper have ranged from young
volunteers to such notable figures as Thomas Merton, Daniel Berrigan,
and Jacques Maritain. (Many Catholic Worker communities publish newsletters
or journals chiefly for local distribution.)
Beyond hospitality, Catholic Worker communities are known for activity
in support of labor unions, human rights, cooperatives, and the
development of a nonviolent culture. Those active in the Catholic Worker are often
pacifists seeking to live an unarmed, nonviolent life. During periods
of military conscription, Catholic Workers have been conscientious
objectors to military service. Many of those active in the Catholic Worker
movement have been jailed for acts of protest against racism, unfair labor
practices, social injustice and war.
Catholic Worker communities have refused to apply for federal tax
exempt status, seeing such official recognition as binding the community to the
state and limiting the movement's freedom.
With its stress on voluntary poverty, the Catholic Worker has much in
common with the early Franciscans, while its accent on community, prayer
and hospitality has Benedictine overtones.
"We try to shelter the homeless and give them clothes," Dorothy Day
explained, "but there is strong faith at work. We pray. If an outsider
who comes to visit us doesn't pay attention to our prayings and what that
means, then he'll miss the whole point."
It is unlikely that any religious community was ever less structured
than the Catholic Worker. Each community is autonomous. There is no board of
directors, no sponsor, no system of governance, no endowment, no pay
checks, no pension plans. Since Dorothy Day's death, there has been no
central leader.
--Taken from Jim Forest on the Catholic Worker Movement for The
Encyclopedia of American Catholic History
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Catholic_Worker_Movement
The Catholic Worker Movement is a Christian anarchist organisation
founded by Dorothy Day and Peter Maurin in 1933, whose aim is to "live in
accordance with the justice and charity of Jesus Christ."[1] One of its
guiding principles is hospitality towards those on the margin of
society. To this end there are over 185 local Catholic Worker communities
providing social services. Each house has a different mission, going about the
work of social justice in their own ways, suited to their region of the
country. The group also campaigns for nonviolence and is active in
protesting war, as well as the unequal distribution of wealth globally.
Dorothy Day also founded The Catholic Worker newspaper which is still
published, and sold at 1 cent per copy.
"Our rule is the works of mercy," said Dorothy Day. "It is the way of
sacrifice, worship, a sense of reverence."
[edit]
Beliefs of the Catholic Worker
According to co-founder Peter Maurin, the following are the beliefs of
the Catholic Worker:[2]
gentle personalism of traditional Catholicism.
personal obligation of looking after the needs of our brother.
daily practice of the Works of Mercy.
Houses of Hospitality for the immediate relief of those who are in
need.
establishment of Farming Communes where each one works according to his
ability and gets according to his need.
creating a new society within the shell of the old with the philosophy
of
the new, which is not a new philosophy but a very old philosophy, a
philosophy so old that it looks like new.
[edit]
Background and Mission
Logo of Catholic WorkerThe Catholic Worker movement was founded in 1933
during the Great Depression by Dorothy Day at the urging of Peter
Maurin. It is best known for houses of hospitality located in run-down sections
of many cities, though a number of Catholic Worker centers exist in rural
areas. Food, clothing, shelter and welcome is extended by unpaid
volunteers to those in need according to the ability of each household.
In 1995 there were 134 Catholic Worker communities, all but three in the
United States.
The Catholic Worker is also the name of a newspaper published by the
Catholic Worker community in New York City. From 1933 until her death
in 1980, the editor was Dorothy Day, a journalist who was received into
the Catholic Church in 1927. Writers for the paper have ranged from young
volunteers to such notable figures as Thomas Merton, Daniel Berrigan,
and Jacques Maritain. (Many Catholic Worker communities publish newsletters
or journals chiefly for local distribution.)
Beyond hospitality, Catholic Worker communities are known for activity
in support of labor unions, human rights, cooperatives, and the
development of a nonviolent culture. Those active in the Catholic Worker are often
pacifists seeking to live an unarmed, nonviolent life. During periods
of military conscription, Catholic Workers have been conscientious
objectors to military service. Many of those active in the Catholic Worker
movement have been jailed for acts of protest against racism, unfair labor
practices, social injustice and war.
Catholic Worker communities have refused to apply for federal tax
exempt status, seeing such official recognition as binding the community to the
state and limiting the movement's freedom.
With its stress on voluntary poverty, the Catholic Worker has much in
common with the early Franciscans, while its accent on community, prayer
and hospitality has Benedictine overtones.
"We try to shelter the homeless and give them clothes," Dorothy Day
explained, "but there is strong faith at work. We pray. If an outsider
who comes to visit us doesn't pay attention to our prayings and what that
means, then he'll miss the whole point."
It is unlikely that any religious community was ever less structured
than the Catholic Worker. Each community is autonomous. There is no board of
directors, no sponsor, no system of governance, no endowment, no pay
checks, no pension plans. Since Dorothy Day's death, there has been no
central leader.
--Taken from Jim Forest on the Catholic Worker Movement for The
Encyclopedia of American Catholic History