The review about this product
Drothy Day (1897-1980) and Peter Maurin (1877-1949) started the Catholic Worker Movement and the journal titled THE CATHOLIC WORKER. Dorothy Day was a Communist, a Socialist, and eventually in 1927 became a very devout Catholic. She was a determined feisty woman who tried to live the life of a devout Catholic and to practice "The Social Gospel" based on Christ's injunction in Matthew 25.
The first section of the book titled LOAVES AND FISHES dealt with Day's meeting Peter Maurin who was a wise a practical fellow. He remarked that if someone were not a Socialist at age 20 he had no heart, and if he were a Socialist at age thirty had no head. Muarin's solution to the squalor and wretched conditions of the Great Depression was to provide a place where men and women could do agricultural work and avoid the terrible economic conditions and stupid government bureaucracy.
The Catholic Worker Movement began with the publication of THE CATHOLIC WORKER 1933. While the first editions of THE CATHOLIC WORKER were started "on a wing and a prayer," the paper quickly became very popular. The popularity of the Catholic Worker belied the "primitive" conditions of the writers and editors. Fortunately both Day and Maurin were well read, knowledgable, and could write well. Quotes from Kropotkin (1842-1921), Catholic saints, etc. embellished the appeal of the Catholic Worker espeically to poor Catholics, Socialists, and political dissenters. Maurin deflected an Irishman's criticism because the paper was advertised at a penny a copy. The Irishmen said the word penny was English, and the paper should have been advertised as a cent a copy. Maurin wisely deflected this criticism by explaining the historical contributions of Irish Catholics. Day wrote that in an age of "go getters," the members of the Catholic Worker Movement were "go givers." Day wrote that both she and Maurin tried to get the poor to try some type of work rather than resort to stealing and begging
Day wrote that the popularity of THE CATHOLIC WORKER was such that she helped organize houses of hospitiality for the homeless. This effort worked surprisingly well. Day commented that such places developed in the US such as Chicago, Illinois, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, etc. Donations and the succcess of the paper helped these efforts.
As noted above, Day and Maurin expanded their efforts to help the poor. Peter Maurin started a couple of farms that attracted blue collar workers, college kids, etc. Maurin faced the problem of inexperience vs. enthusiasm which he somehow was able to handle. Turnover was high because of marriage, career changes, military conscription. etc. How Maurin was able to cope is almost beyond belief. Day and Maurin provided alternatives to military conscription for conscientious objectors. One resident was David Mason who was arrested for not registering for conscription even at age 45. The judge released him and Mason retured to the Catholic Worker Movement.
Obviously, the Catholic Worker Movement dealt with poverty. Day wrote that her own poverty was voluntary in that she entered the "Social Gospel" with a clear mind and devout Catholic religious convictions. However, those who were forced into poverty needed help and understanding. Day knew this, and her descriptions of the plight of these poor souls was well written, descriptive, and depressing. As Day noticed the situation is expensive to be poor in the midst of calloused stupidity and greed. Day's citation of characters in Dostoevsky's novels wisely clarified her convictions and observations. Maurin who was an unassuming man, was more widely known than he realized. When Maurin met Carlton Hayes (1882-1964),the emminent historian and devout Catholic, Maurin at first did not recognize Hayes. In other words, Maurin's reputation was beyond what Maurin realized.
As readers may imagine, an oleo of characters are presented in this book. Ammon Hennacy (1893-1970)assocaited with the Catholic Worker Movement. Nennacy was sent to solitary confinement for his conscientious objector status during WW I. Thereafter he also became a devout Catholic and wrote a thoughtful book titled THE AUTOBIOGRPHY OF A CATHOLIC ANARCHIST. Poor women, operea stars, poets, etc. were part of the Catholic Worker Movement, and Day provided colorful details of their lives and contributions. Some Catholic dignatauries and clergy such as Bishops, Jesuits, etc. contributed to Day's and Maurin's efforts. While some Bishops were concerned about Day's "radicalism," they never interfered with her work and never condemned it.
According the Day, the Catholic Worker volunteers worked at different jobs. Writers and editors worked as cooks and did maintainence work. Farmers and blue collar workers helped store books, mail the paper, etc. One colorful character was Anna who loved cigarettes and coffee, and she tried to be so helpeful.
A sad anecdote that Day reported was the fate of Max and Ruth Bodenheims. Both husband and wife were "free spirits, but they were murdered because some idiot said these two people were Communists. The culprit said he should have been awared a medal for his crime. Other characters died, but Day & co. did the best they could for hospice care. The Cold War led to so much stupid hysteria. Catholic Worker volunteers including Dorothy Day were arrested for not participating in stupid bomb raid drills. Day's recollection of life in jail were graphic and depressing. Hopeless women were made more hopeless and violent. Day protested that one of her friends was going to be housed with violent inmates, and Day's protest was honored. Day's section of the jail experience was the most depressing part of the book.
Some of the problems mentioned above were increased when building inspectors tried to get vacate orders. Day recounted that legal help and NEW YORK TIMES journalists mitigated these stupid heartless bureaucrats. The Catholic Worker Movement's houses and farms were safe. Yet, the stupid arguement that people had to be thrown into the streets because of "safety" made no sense. Urban renewal and road construction closed some hospitiality houses. Yet, the compensation was such that enough money was available to start new houses.
In spite of continuing crises, Dorthy Day and her associates remained devout Catholics. Daily Mass, Vespers, Rosary prayers, etc. were an important part of their lives. Their devout Catholicism showed readers what many people should do. Day wrote that what we give to others is what God gave us to give. The undersigned enjoyed this book even as depressing as some sections were.
James E. Egolf
September 10,2013
Take It Now ! Loaves and Fishes: The Inspiring Story of the Catholic Worker Movement (Paperback)
