Archbishop's web site Denver Catholic Register Parishes Catholic Pastoral Center
January 17, 2001
Day founded movement to heal 'spiritual hunger'
Catholic Worker stands in solidarity with poor
By Mary Manley
"We have all known the long loneliness and we have learned that the only solution is love and that love comes with community."
These are the memorable words of Dorothy Day who described spiritual hunger as "the long loneliness" that every human being faces while on earth. For more than five decades, she made it her mission to address this type of hunger, as well as other, often more visible, human needs. Her own spiritual hunger had led her to a Catholic faith conversion at age 30. November 29 marked the 20th commemorative date of her death at age 83.
Last spring, this legendary American social activist became an official candidate for sainthood when the Vatican opened up the process. In fall 1999 Day also was honored for her outstanding witness as the top Catholic lay leader in the 20th century by a panel of church historians and theologians. Day, who was an accomplished writer and journalist, was known for her outspoken advocacy of the poor, workers' rights and pacifism, along with her strong stance against abortion. Prior to her conversion in 1927, she led a bohemian life amidst many famous artists, writers, and cultural revolutionaries of the era. Although it was a life focused on making major social changes on behalf of the needy, it had lacked authentic spirituality.
Day, a single parent who embraced poverty herself, co-founded The Catholic Worker Movement with Frenchman Peter Maurin in New York City in 1933 during the height of the Great Depression. This lay movement has been built upon the belief that the radical Gospel message of love can be lived in the modern age. It focuses on concrete works of mercy and political action. Early on, a string of hospitality houses for the homeless and hungry and The Catholic Worker newspaper, which is still sold at the original penny a copy, were established. In line with the houses, organization of farm communes and other practical, charitable outlets, have occurred throughout the nation and in foreign countries.
Day was a well-known traveler who spent a large part of her ministry criss-crossing the land in promotion of her special causes. "She was a dynamic presence who personified her values," recalled Sr. Anna Koop, SL, who had the pleasure of meeting Day during one of her Denver stops. Sr. Anna helped found the Denver Hospitality House in the historic Five Points section in 1978 and has lived there ever since.
The local activist went on to say: "The twenty years since Dorothy's death have seen a great flourishing of the movement. There are over 100 houses in this and other countries and the movement continues to explore `how best to bring about a world in which it is easy to be good,' as Peter Maurin used to say. It is a blessing to find myself able to live at the heart of a movement which combines voluntary poverty, solidarity with the poor, pacifism, personalism, clarification of thought, and agricultural leanings."
In addressing her fellowship's focus on justice, the Sister of Loretto nun explained that "we began with an affinity group which studies civil disobedience and then participated in an action at Rocky Flats. A number of our community were subsequently arrested there and [long-time member] Jennifer Haines spent 10 years praying on the property and in prison alternately. We have been involved with Central American issues and quite active in homeless issues. We try always to witness for God's love and against the violation of human rights, in particular the many acts of violence associated with war."
In reflecting upon hospitality issues, Sister Anna recalled how the soup kitchen was set up on the same block as the house and a thrift store also evolved at another location. She noted, from the start, various people from Denver, as well as from across the world, have volunteered and/or have given financial contributions in these local community efforts. Some have lived in the house as well. While the thrift store, located about six blocks from the hospitality house, still operates, the soup kitchen has not been so fortunate.
Sister Anna elaborated: "The past few years have brought some challenges to the Denver Catholic Worker because of the phenomenon of gentrification. Our neighborhood is seeing a face lift and poor people are being `pushed out' more and more, as people find better uses for a prized neighborhood near the downtown area. When half of our block was sold, the soup kitchen found reprieve for a year by renting space from the Archdiocese in the Old Cathedral school. Now the soup kitchen is homeless." She expressed hopes that the soup kitchen's transitional state will be remedied as soon as possible. On the brighter side, Sister Anna stated that "we formed a nonprofit organization and, with the help of the Loretto Community, were able to re-locate people on the block to some low-income housing that we purchased with the intention of it being low income housing forever. It never was our intention to be property owners, but the relocation assistance seemed to provide a golden opportunity for acquiring some property that could be used to build community with folks who had been guests at the house. Jennifer lives on the property and has been such an asset in managing that effort." For information on the Denver Catholic Worker House of Hospitality, located at 2420 Welton St., call 303-296-6390. To find out about the Used Furniture Store, located at 1011 Park Ave. West, call 303-296-4973.
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