During the depths of the great depression in 1933, the Catholic Worker movement was founded by Dorothy Day. A close friend of hers Peter Maurin inspired her to do it. It started out as hospitality houses located in run-down sections of many cities; however, there are a number located in rural areas also. These houses are run be unpaid volunteers who give the needy food, clothing, and shelter. In 1995, 131 houses were scattered across the United States with 3 more in other countries.
Throughout her life Dorothy Day also edited The Catholic Worker a newspaper published by the Catholic Worker community in New York City. Dorothy Day edited the newspaper from 1933 until her death in 1980. Writers of the paper have ranged from volunteers to much more notable figures such as Thomas Merton, Daniel Berrigan, and Jacques Maritain.
Accomplishments
Besides the hospitality it provides, it also is known for activity in support of labor unions, human rights, cooperatives, and the development of a nonviolent culture. Catholic Workers have also been conscientious objectors to military service because many are pacifist people seeking to live an unarmed, nonviolent life. Many active members have been arrested and jailed for protesting against racism, unfair labor practices, social injustice, and war.
Faith
The Catholic Worker Movement is an organization of great faith. Before Dorothy Day died in 1980 volunteers rested a great amount of faith in her and her beliefs. They also had to trust that what they were doing was helping those that were in need of help. Active protesters of the Catholic Worker Movement also had to have faith in their beliefs because many times they were risking getting arrested. The Catholic Worker Movement helps us understand that faith is not always just for yourself, it is also a way to express trust and belief in others. It inspires us to live lives of faith by trusting and not always following the crowd, in the case of the protesters.