Dorothy Day: A Saint for Our Time

Presented by Robert Ellsberg

Dorothy Day (1897-1980) was the founder of the Catholic Worker movement. Pope Francis, during his speech before Congress, cited her among four "great Americans" whose vision offers a guide to a just social order. She is currently under consideration for sainthood in the Catholic Church. Yet for much of her life she was considered a fairly marginal figure, if not viewed with outright suspicion. This program will offer an overview of her life and message, with particular attention to her social program, her commitment to nonviolence, and her distinctive spirituality.

There will be four sessions, two in the morning and two after lunch, with coffee breaks in between. One of the four sessions will involve a showing of a documentary on Dorothy Day, which features presenter Robert Ellsberg. He will present an initial session that will be introductory and focus on the story of her conversion. The program will then explore the social program of the Catholic Worker: works of mercy, social justice, peace. The final session of the day will focus on the spirituality of Dorothy Day and reflections on the question of sainthood.

Cost is $60 with Lunch Included

This program is co-sponsored by Fairfield University’s Center for Catholic Studies

Robert Ellsberg is the long-time editor-in-chief and publisher of Orbis Books. He spent five years with the Catholic Worker community in New York (1975-80), during which time he served for two years as managing editor of "The Catholic Worker" newspaper. Since then he has worked to promote Dorothy Day's message and legacy, editing her "Selected Writings," her diaries ("The Duty of Delight"), and selected letters ("All the Way to Heaven"). He serves on the historical commission preparing her cause for canonization. He is also the other of many books on saints, including "All Saints," "Blessed Among All Women," "The Saints' Guide to Happiness," "A Living Gospel," and "Blessed Among Us," which is drawn from his daily reflections for "Give Us This Day."