Ethan Walker
The Catholic Worker Movement is a collection of autonomous communities founded by Dorothy Day and Peter Maurin in the United States in 1933. The movement is guided by the principle of hospitality towards those on the margins of society, based on the values of communitarianism and personalism. Each Catholic Worker community is independent and may have a different relationship with the local Catholic Church, ranging from conservative Catholic to mostly secular. The movement has a diverse range of members with various religious beliefs and backgrounds. Those interested in starting a Catholic Worker House can reach out to existing communities and offer to help with daily tasks such as cooking, cleaning, and taking care of children.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Autonomous communities | To "live in accordance with the justice and charity of Jesus Christ" |
| Hospitality towards those on the margins of society | Nonviolence |
| No requirements for membership | Opposing war |
| Diverse religions represented | Ending oppression |
| No formal structure or hierarchy | Personalism |
| Founding families | Anarchism |
| Volunteering | Farming communes |
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What You'll Learn
The Catholic Worker Movement's history and philosophy
The Catholic Worker Movement is a collection of autonomous communities founded by Dorothy Day and Peter Maurin in the United States in 1933. Its aim is to "live in accordance with the justice and charity of Jesus Christ". One of its guiding principles is hospitality towards those on the margins of society, based on the principles of communitarianism and personalism.
The movement started with the Catholic Worker newspaper, created by Day to advance Catholic social teaching and take a neutral, Christian pacifist position in the war-torn 1930s. Day attempted to put her words from the Catholic Worker into action through houses of hospitality and then through a series of farms for people to live together on communes. The idea of voluntary poverty was advocated for those who volunteered to work at the houses of hospitality. Initially, these houses had little organization and no requirements for membership. As time passed, some basic rules and policies were established. Day appointed the directors of each house, and each one operated autonomously and varied in size and character.
The Catholic Worker anarchism followed Christ as a model of nonviolent revolutionary behaviour. He respected individual conscience but also preached a prophetic message that was difficult for many of his contemporaries to embrace. The movement emphasizes personal reform, radical agrarianism, absolute pacifism, and the practice of the principles in Jesus' Sermon on the Mount. The movement opened houses of hospitality for all in need and established farming communes.
The movement is made up of people motivated by the teachings of Jesus, especially as summarized in the Sermon on the Mount, and the teachings of the Catholic Church. They aim to bring about a “new society within the shell of the old, a society in which it will be easier to be good”. This new society would have no place for economic exploitation or war, for racial, gender, or religious discrimination, but would be marked by a cooperative social order without extremes of wealth and poverty.
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Funding and donations
The Catholic Worker Movement is a collection of autonomous communities founded on the principles of communitarianism and personalism, with each community operating independently and varying in character. The movement is not an official organ of the Catholic Church, and its activities may be more or less overtly religious depending on the specific community. This means that funding and donations for a Catholic Worker House will depend on the specific community and its relationship with the local Catholic Church and other organisations.
One source of funding for Catholic Worker Houses can be donations from individuals and organisations who support the movement's aims and principles. As the movement is based on hospitality towards those on the margins of society, donors are primarily interested in helping the poor and supporting social justice initiatives. This means that funding is often dependent on the specific projects and activities that a Catholic Worker House undertakes, and how well these align with the interests and values of potential donors.
In addition to financial donations, Catholic Worker Houses may also receive in-kind donations such as food, clothing, and other resources. These donations can be essential in supporting the work of the houses and providing for those in need. It is important for Catholic Worker Houses to have good relationships with the local community and potential donors to ensure a steady stream of donations and resources.
Another source of funding for Catholic Worker Houses can be grants and support from government or non-government organisations. As the movement is involved in providing social services and working for social justice, there may be opportunities to apply for grants or funding from organisations or foundations that support similar causes. This can include grants for specific projects or initiatives, as well as more general operating support.
Finally, Catholic Worker Houses may also generate income through fundraising activities and events. This can include things like benefit concerts, donations drives, or selling goods or services. For example, some Catholic Worker Houses may have farms or gardens that produce food that can be sold to the community, with the proceeds going towards funding the house's activities.
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The role of families
Families have played a variety of roles in the Catholic Worker Movement. The movement, founded in 1933, is made up of autonomous communities that are not official organs of the Catholic Church. Its aim is to "live in accordance with the justice and charity of Jesus Christ", with a focus on hospitality towards those on the margins of society.
One of the key principles of the movement is the idea of voluntary poverty, which can be challenging for families to uphold due to the higher costs associated with maintaining a volunteer family compared to an individual volunteer. Despite this, families have found various ways to participate in the Catholic Worker Movement. Some assist in houses of hospitality, while others open up a "Christ room" in their homes for those in need. There are also families who run their own houses of hospitality, providing a warm and welcoming space for guests from all backgrounds, regardless of class, race, ability, gender identity, religion, country of origin, sexual orientation, and more.
In addition to providing direct service, families involved in the Catholic Worker Movement may also work towards ending oppression and promoting social justice. This could include growing their own food, working to end racism, and seeking alternatives to war. The movement emphasizes personalism, which means taking personal responsibility for helping those in need and treating each person as a manifestation of the divine.
The Vancouver Catholic Worker community, for example, is a small group that holds vigils and continues to celebrate feast days that were previously observed by the now-inactive Our Lady of Guadalupe Tonantzin Community. They also host events, work in the garden, and engage in the neighbourhood, welcoming anyone who wants to join, even if only occasionally.
Overall, families play a crucial role in the Catholic Worker Movement by embodying its values of hospitality, social justice, and personalism, and by contributing their time and resources to help those in need.
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Relationship with the local Catholic Church
While Catholic Worker houses are not official organs of the Catholic Church, the relationship between each community and the local Catholic Church varies. The Catholic Worker Movement is a collection of autonomous communities founded by Dorothy Day and Peter Maurin in the United States in 1933. The movement's aim is to "live in accordance with the justice and charity of Jesus Christ".
The Catholic Worker has a wide range of religious representations, including Catholics, ex-Catholics, and Protestants. There are also Mennonite and Buddhist Catholic Worker communities. Each community's relationship with the local Catholic Church is unique. For example, the Vancouver Catholic Worker community, Samaritan House, is led by a Roman Catholic woman priest, while the Our Lady of Guadalupe Tonantzin Community, which is also connected to the Vancouver Catholic Worker, no longer has a regular worship schedule.
The Catholic Worker Movement includes over 240 local Catholic Worker communities providing social services. Each house operates independently and differs in size and character, tailoring its work of social justice to its local region. Families have participated in the Catholic Worker Movement in various ways, including assisting houses of hospitality and opening up "Christ rooms" in their homes for those in need.
The Catholic Worker philosophy emphasizes the importance of personalism, treating every person as a manifestation of the divine, regardless of gender identity, religion, country of origin, race, or sexual orientation. This philosophy shapes the community's relationship with the local Catholic Church, as they strive to create a warm and inclusive space for guests from all backgrounds.
The Catholic Worker communities are entirely autonomous, and there is no central organization. This autonomy allows each community to develop its unique character and relationship with the local Catholic Church. However, the movement as a whole is united by its commitment to social justice, nonviolence, and hospitality towards those on society's margins.
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How to get involved
The Catholic Worker Movement is a collection of autonomous communities founded by Dorothy Day and Peter Maurin in the United States in 1933. The movement has a wide diversity of religions represented, including Catholics, ex-Catholics, and Protestants. Each community has a different character, from conservative Catholic to mostly secular.
There are a variety of ways to get involved with the Catholic Worker Movement. One way is to visit a Catholic Worker community and volunteer your time and skills. Communities are often in need of help with daily tasks such as cooking, cleaning, and sorting donations. You can also get involved by donating funds to support the work of the communities.
If you are interested in a more long-term commitment, you might consider opening your home to those in need. This could involve offering a "Christ room" for someone who needs a place to stay or starting your own house of hospitality. Houses of hospitality are places where people can come for assistance and companionship, and they are run by volunteers who advocate for voluntary poverty.
Another way to get involved is to join a local Catholic Worker community. These communities provide social services and campaign for nonviolence in their local areas. They are not official organs of the Catholic Church but are inspired by the example of Dorothy Day. Each community is unique in its mission and methods, so you can find one that aligns with your values and interests.
Finally, you can get involved by participating in events and activities hosted by Catholic Worker communities. These can include memorial masses, celebrations, vigils, and meditations. By joining these gatherings, you can learn more about the movement and connect with like-minded individuals.
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Frequently asked questions
The Catholic Worker Movement is a collection of autonomous communities founded by Dorothy Day and Peter Maurin in the United States in 1933. Its aim is to "live in accordance with the justice and charity of Jesus Christ". The movement campaigns for nonviolence and is active in opposing war.
Catholic Worker Houses are houses of hospitality that provide social services and direct service to those in need. Each house has a different mission, going about the work of social justice in its own way, suited to its local region.
To start a Catholic Worker House, one can reach out to existing Catholic Worker communities, such as the Vancouver Catholic Worker community or the Karen House Catholic Worker in St. Louis, to learn about their specific processes and requirements. It is important to note that each Catholic Worker community is entirely autonomous and independent, so the steps to joining or starting a new house may vary.
