Dorothy Day-Influences of “The Long Loneliness”, Essay Example

Thesis: Kempis’ theological writing was significant in influencing Dorothy Day in her activism, writing and ideology. The Catholic Worker movement was more like a religious activism than a political motion.

 Introduction

Dorothy Day has been renowned as one of the most influential spiritual thinkers of the 20^th Century. She was not only writing about Christianity, reforms and movement but actively participated in actions that – according to many authors – have led to a more humane and down-to-earth approach of religion. With regards to activism, she followed him throughout her life. The real change in her life started when she started reading the Bible and “The Imitation of “Christ”. The following essay will focus on Kempis and his book: “The Imitation of Christ” (Kempis, pub, 1940)

The book “The Long Loneliness” is a confession of Dorothy Day and an analysis of her journey towards converting into becoming a devoted Catholic from an anarchist and social activist. She describes how she moved towards the “love of God” throughout her life. It is a self-confession of her spiritual journey, recalling the most important events of her life as well as the initiative of the Catholic Worker Movement.

 The Ideology of Day

When learning Catholicism and moving towards religion, she was influenced by Kempis’ writing. (Kempis, pub, 1940) In her autobiography, she recalls that many of her friends told her that she would never be a good Communist, as she was already too religious. (Day, 1952, p. 71.). She also studied Dostoevsky, from the ethical point of view, just like Maurin. Many authors of her biography, however, confirm that reading the New Testament and Kempis made her a true Catholic. That led to her deciding to baptize her daughter and the change of ideology that did not only include socialism but equality through human and Catholic values. She also merited from the teachings of Kempis regarding communication as a Catholic: “When the right and opportune moment comes for speaking, say something that will edify.” (Kempis, 1940) Day visited churches for meditation and her and her husband both started to sympathize with Tolstoy’s ideology. This clearly shows in her autobiography: “I felt that the Church was the Church of the poor,… but at the same time, I felt that it did not set its face against a social order which made so much charity in the present sense of the word necessary. I felt that charity was a word to choke over. Who wanted charity? And it was not just human pride but a strong sense of man’s dignity and worth, and what was due to him in justice, that made me resent, rather than feel pround of so mighty a sum total of Catholic institutions.” (Day, 1952, p. 143.) When she started writing for various Catholic magazines, like Commonweal and America, she emphasized the importance of meditation. According to the teaching of Kempis, “THE kingdom of God is within you,” says the Lord.9” (Kempis, p. 54.) she often reflected on the statement in her later writing. She understood that loneliness and reflection are important when looking for ways to find God and communicate through prayer.

She was looking for peace and justice through the community, and by founding Catholic Worker, she did implement the ideology of “Works Done in Charity” (Kempis, 1940. Chapter 15)

What Dorothy Day Took from The Imitation of Christ

One of the chapters of Kempis’ book is titled: “Purity of Mind and Unity of Purpose”. (Kempis, 1940. p. 60.) Dorothy Day understood the importance of simplicity and unity in the Catholic Worker movement and lived by the teachings of the Bible related to the statement: “simplicity leads to God” (Kempis, p. 60.) She was working on the well-being of the “masses”, and her aim was in line with Kempis’ statement: “. If you aim at and seek after nothing but the pleasure of God and the welfare of your neighbor, you will enjoy freedom within.” (p. 60.) She also became interested in mystical experiences, and often meditated Kempis’ guide on the topic. She gained inspiration from the book to start up her “spiritual works of mercy” and the “corporeal works of mercy” (charity work) involving the Catholic Retreat experience, creating shelter, feeding the hungry and peacemaking.

The Catholic Worker Movement Ideology and Kempis

Comparing Chapter 15 of Kempis’ book (1940) with the ideology of Dorothy Day, her views on work and serving others, we can find many similarities. Kempis says: “Without charity external work is of no value, but anything done in charity, be it ever so small and trivial, is entirely fruitful inasmuch as God weighs the love with which a man acts rather than the deed itself.” (p. 13) She was also very conscious about who she stood with during her activism in the Catholic Worker Movement. She wanted to first of all stand by God’s side and exclude everyone who was opposing the values and teachings of the religion.

The newspaper “The Catholic Worker” was considered to be a labor publication, but indeed it was much more than that. From being a communist and not having faith, Dorothy Day slowly moved towards an ideology that prioritized “closeness to God” and not communism solely. She depicted the ideal “works of mercy” in her writings and highlighted the interdependence of justice and love. She also concluded that the rich had the “opportunity to serve the poor”. (Day, 1952. p. 135.)

She also denied that the Catholic Worker was “communist”. She found that the principles of religious ethics were more important than society and politics. In many publications she clearly states that the movement is clearly based on Catholic values and not political ideas. Interestingly, however, she also practiced humbleness learned from Kempis. This is a clear reflection of Kempis’ Chapter 17. “Hence we must support one another, console one another, mutually help, counsel, and advise, for the measure of every man’s virtue is best revealed in time of adversity—adversity that does not weaken a man but rather shows what he is.”. (Kempis, 1940, p. 22.)

Conclusion

Reviewing the similarities of the writings and actions of Dorothy Day in the light of Kempis’ book (Kempis, 1940) it is evident that her Christian and charitable ideas, actions and movements were influenced by the thoughts she read before her conversion. While the connections have not been extensively studied previously, it is important to note that the Catholic Worker Movement was highly influenced by the moral teachings of the mentioned book; more than by any political ideology. The below quote clearly shows the influence of Kempis on her work and ideology: “We cannot love God unless we love each other, and to love we must know each other. We know Him in the breaking of bread, and we know each other in the breaking of bread, and we are not alone anymore. Heaven is a banquet and life is a banquet, too, even with a crust, where there is companionship.” (Day, 1952. p. 243.)

References:

Day, Dorothy (1996 reprint) The Long Loneliness: The Autobiography of the Legendary Catholic Social Activist (first published: 1952)

Kempis, T. (reprint 1940) The Imitation of Christ. Modern Edition. Online. <http://www.ccel.org/ccel/kempis/imitation.html>