On May Day 1933 Dorothy Day and Peter Maurin co-founded the Catholic Worker movement and newspaper in New York City. Since then Day’s life of voluntary poverty, direct action on behalf of the worker and the poor and absolute nonviolence and pacifism has been a constant inspiration for both Christians and non-Christians. Without dismissing the importance of other leaders in the history of the Roman Catholic Church in the United States, it is fair to say that Dorothy Day remains, at the dawn of the new millennium, the radical conscience of American Catholicism.

Popular interest in Dorothy Day has grown since her death in 1980. Such interest only increased when the Vatican announced on March 17, 2000, that it had approved starting the process for Day’s canonization as a saint of the Roman Catholic Church. Scholars, too, have taken an interest in Dorothy Day. In addition to her own writings (eight books and several hundred articles), there are numerous critical studies of her life and of the Catholic Worker movement. (See references) These studies all point to a conspicuous entwined thread in the tapestry of Day’s life, the unique combination of social activism and deep religious feeling. The dual passion of social justice and intimacy with God was present in Day’s life from her early years.

Download our resource packet to learn more. Resources include:

• Educational resources: A Biography of Dorothy Day by Stephen Krupa, SJ with questions for reflection and discussion; In Her Own Words: The Scandal of the Works of Mercy by Dorothy Day with discussion guide; Excerpts from Scripture and Catholic Social Teaching on The Dignity of Work and the Rights of Workers with Discussion Guide
• Be a Witness of Mercy: Resources for learning and doing
• Prayer Resources: Prayer Service Honoring Dorothy Day by Christine Schenk, CSJ
• Original Art by Marcy Hall, commissioned by FutureChurch

Download

On Feb. 12, 2005, Sr. Dorothy Stang walked along a dirt road deep in the heart of Brazil’s Amazon, on her way to meet a handful of poor farmers bearing up under harassment from illegal loggers and ranchers. She trudged along, until two hired assassins blocked her way. In response to their challenge, she produced maps and documents proving that the government had designated the land as a reserve for the landless poor. “Do you have a weapon?” they asked. Yes, she answered, showing them the Bible she carried for decades. She opened it and began to read aloud: “Blessed are the poor in spirit. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for justice. Blessed are the peacemakers …” Then, she said, “God bless you, my sons.” The two shot her six times and ran.

Download our resource to learn more about Sr. Dorothy Stang, Martyr of the Amazon, who laid down her life in defense of the poor and the environment.

Download includes:

• Educational resources: A Biography of Sister Dorothy Stang by John Dear with questions for reflection and discussion; In Her Own Words (Sister Dorothy Stang on Caring for the Earth and Peace and Justice); A Summary and Discussion Guide for Laudato Si
• Be a Witness of Mercy: Resources for learning and doing
• Prayer Resources: Prayer Service in Memory of Dorothy Stang by Katherine Feely, SND
• Original Art by Marcy Hall, commissioned by FutureChurch

Download

Many know Sister Simone Campbell, a Sister of Social Service, as the “nun on the bus.” But long before the famous bus tour began, before the media attention, before the countless awards, Sister Simone was working for the poor and marginalized of society. Learn more about and pray with this Woman of Mercy, Nun on the Bus, and advocate for the KIN-DOM of God today.

Resources included in this download:

• Educational resources: A Biography of Sister Simone with questions for reflection and discussion; In Her Own Words (Sister Simone on being Catholic, women in the Church and her favorite mystic); A Catholic Framework for Economic Justice with questions for reflection and discussion; Call to Family, Community and Participation — How all of Us Can Create Hope, Change, and Community with questions for discussion and dialogue
• Be a Witness of Mercy: Resources for learning and doing
• Prayer Resources: Prayer Service for the KIN-DOM of God inspired by Sr. Simone Campbell.
• Original Art by Marcy Hall, commissioned by FutureChurch

Download

Sister Antona Ebo. On Sunday March 7, 1965, Alabama state troopers and local police beat and bloodied civil rights activists who had begun a 50-mile march from Selma to Montgomery, the state capital. Immediately following the “Bloody Sunday” attack, the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. issued a call for church leaders around the country to come to Selma and to join in the struggle for civil rights. On March 10th, Sister Antona Ebo, a Franciscan Sister of Mary, took off from Saint Louis, Missouri to Selma on a chartered plane that she jokes had been pulled out of mothballs. On March 11th the cover of The New York Times featured a photo of Sister Antona marching alongside other protesters. That photo would become an iconic image of the struggle for voting rights.

Download our resource to learn more. Resources included in this download:

• Educational resources: A Biography of Sister Antona Ebo with questions for reflection and discussion; More Black Catholic Women Witnesses of Mercy with questions for reflection and discussion; A brief history of African-American Catholics; The Black Lives Matter Movement and Catholics: Two Scholars Speak Out; Black Catholic Sisters in the United States: A Historical Reflection by Shannen Dee Williams; and Excerpts from Catholic Social Teaching on Race and Racism with questions for discussion and reflection
• Be a Witness of Mercy: Resources for learning and doing
• Prayer Resources: Stations of the Cross: Black Catholic Women Give Witness
• Original Art by Marcy Hall, commissioned by FutureChurch

Download

Sister Helen Prejean is perhaps the world’s most widely known opponent of the death penalty. Her book, Dead Man Walking: An Eyewitness Account of the Death Penalty in the United States remained on the New York Times best-seller list for 31 weeks and was an international best seller, having been translated into ten languages. The book would also become the basis for a major motion picture and an opera. Prejean’s work has taken her around the world for speaking engagements, earned her numerous awards, and brought her into personal conversation with presidents, U.S. Supreme Court justices, prime ministers and popes.

Download this resource packet to learn more. Includes:

• Educational resources: A Biography of Sister Helen Prejean, Death Penalty Fact Sheet, The Death Penalty in Recent Catholic Thought, Excerpts from a letter to Pope John Paul II by Helen Prejean, Discussion/Reflection Questions on Helen Prejean’s Ministry and the Death Penalty, Movie Discussion Guide for Dead Man Walking
• Prayer Resources: Prayer for Justice by Sister Helen Prejean and an entire Prayer Service, inspired by Sister Helen, for transforming society
• Be a Witness of Mercy: Resources and Ways to Get Involved
• Original Art by Marcy Hall, commissioned by FutureChurch

Download