Status
Available
Call number
Collection
Publication
Plough Publishing House (2017), 149 pages
Description
Dorothy Day is remembered as one of the great women of our age. Her admirers want to make her a saint, though she often protested. What hidden strength did this woman possess that continues to inspire people today?In clear, simple reflections, this little spiritual guidebook offers insights and wisdom Dorothy Day gained during many decades of seeking to know Jesus and to follow his example and teachings in her own life. Unlike larger collections and biographies, which cover her radical views, exceptional deeds, and amazing life story, this book focuses on an intensely personal dimension of Dorothy Day's life: Where did she receive strength to stay true to her God-given calling? What was the wellspring of her deep faith and her love for all humanity?"The solution proposed in the Gospels is that of voluntary poverty and the works of mercy. It is the little way. It is within the power of all. Everybody can begin here and now. . . . We have the greatest weapons in the world, greater than any hydrogen or atom bomb, and they are the weapons of poverty and prayer, fasting and alms, the reckless spending of ourselves in God's service and for his poor. Without poverty we will not have learned love, and love, at the end, is the measure by which we shall be judged." Dorothy Day, The Catholic Worker, April 1950.… (more)
User reviews
LibraryThing member sullijo
"The Reckless Way of Love: Notes on Following Jesus" is a collection of short excerpts (no more than a paragraph or two) from the writings of Dorothy Day, the activist, pacifist, someday saint? and co-founder of the Catholic Worker movement.
The quotes are arranged topically under headings related
This short collection hardly does justice to Day's thoughts on these topics, but it's not meant to. Anyone familiar with Day's writings would be happy to have this book for use in personal reflection, while those who have not yet met Day will find it a good introduction to her spirituality that may prompt them to pick up one of her books.
NB: I received a free copy of this book from LibraryThing's Early Reviewer program.
The quotes are arranged topically under headings related
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to faith, love, prayer, life, and community and introduced with a short essay by D.L Mayfield. The sources run the gamut from Day's biography to notes she took while on retreat, and I was gratified to find a list citing each excerpt in the back of the book.This short collection hardly does justice to Day's thoughts on these topics, but it's not meant to. Anyone familiar with Day's writings would be happy to have this book for use in personal reflection, while those who have not yet met Day will find it a good introduction to her spirituality that may prompt them to pick up one of her books.
NB: I received a free copy of this book from LibraryThing's Early Reviewer program.
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LibraryThing member harryo19
I got this as an Early Reviewer book. It is a collection of short excerpts from her writings all on strictly spiritual matters with very little touching on the social activism that she was famous for. It's well organized, but like all such books, it is probably better to take it in short chunks
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than to read it straight through. I was a little familiar with the name of Dorothy Day but didn't really know much about her. When I requested the book I was hoping to learn more. While this book gives a very clear picture on the matters of her Catholic faith that were very important to her, it seems to be an incomplete picture. As a guide to spiritual reflection it's very good. But as a book to learn about her life and works, I'm sure there are better books out there. Show Less
LibraryThing member rob80ert
I received this book as an Early Reviewer.
The thoughts and writings of Servant of God Dorothy Day are an inspiration and a challenge to the reader. This compilation was well organized and flowed nicely. It's been a perfect companion during Lent.
My one point of contention is with the author of the
The thoughts and writings of Servant of God Dorothy Day are an inspiration and a challenge to the reader. This compilation was well organized and flowed nicely. It's been a perfect companion during Lent.
My one point of contention is with the author of the
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Introduction. I found it to be more about her than Day and much to long. The "To The Reader" intro would have been sufficient. Show Less
LibraryThing member nmele
This brief book of thematically arranged excerpts from Dorothy Day's writing is just what I needed. As I read the selections each day, they seemed to speak to our collective current situation and to my own individual concerns. Ranging from early in her life to the end of her life, there are words
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of inspiration for every one who searches for a way to live their faith today. Show Less
LibraryThing member hazel1123
As previous reviewers have noted this book is a collection of excerpts from the writings of Dorothy Day. It is more of a devotional book and is probably not best read in one sitting. As well as private prayer I could see the quotes being used as discussion starters in study groups. I am a strong
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admirer of Dorothy Day and her radical commitment to actively living God's call in her life. The quoted material in this book is inspiring but overall the book was a bit frustrating for me because I want more than the quick quote. Recently I read [The Duty of Delight: The Dairies of Dorothy Day] which helped me experience the beauty and depth of her spirituality. The two books are very different but if you want to know more of Dorothy Day both her autobiography [The Long Loneliness] and the journals might be a better choice. Show Less
LibraryThing member marasgma
I often request books I've never heard of, thinking they might be interesting and I could write a good review. This is a book I've been wanting for a long time and it did not disappoint. Whether Dorothy Day is your role model or not, you will find ideas, guidance, and most of all, your path to
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following Jesus. It is so honest and not at all proscriptive. No doctrine or dogmatics, just love and encouragement. And it is challenging. Faith, love, prayer, life and community shared in such an authentic way. I wish my journal read as well. An important affirmation from her: following Jesus is no easy task and it is filled wit joy. Show Less
LibraryThing member AnnieHidalgo
This book wasn't so much a collection of uplifting thoughts as an almost diaristic collection of excerpts from Dorothy Day's writing and letters, I believe including actual diary excerpts in some instances. I knew going in that Dorothy Day was a Catholic social activist, possibly controversial in
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the church. What the book presents is a portrait of a woman who spent her life trying to do good, and the personal struggles she experienced within, including examination of her reasons for doing so. It was a portrait of how it isn't always easy to help others, and it certainly wouldn't be easy to make it your life's work. Some of the writings were about how you wish that people would react differently, more appreciative, making more of your efforts, and some were about how she recognized that as a flaw in herself. Sometimes, reading, I thought that she should have been more compassionate towards someone, or more humble, and yet she devoted her entire life to helping people, and I haven't, and it made me think of the internal struggles that might cause you, as you strove to live out that sort of life. It isn't an easy collection you can dip into when you need to be uplifted, but it is a thought-provoking book about what living a Christian life can really mean. Show Less
LibraryThing member HouseofPrayer
Dorothy Day-- author, social worker, advocate for the poor, devoted Christian-- is remembered in this slim volume with a series of chapters containing her various musings and prayers on several topics. She meditates on love, suffering, service, thanksgiving and others. The compilation was edited by
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Caroline Kurtz with notations on the sources used from Day's published books. Show Less
LibraryThing member MusicforMovies
“The Reckless Way of Love” is a devotional consisting of selections from the writings of Dorothy Day. The subtitle, “Notes on Following Jesus” aptly describes the underlining spirit of the book.
The compiler, Carolyn Kurtz, has divided the book into five thematic sections:
The way of:
This book is a practical book; in that it is a call to action, and not merely a reflection. Certainly I would be surprised if one would not be moved, or at least challenged, upon reading it.
The book reminded me, in its easy conversational tone, of another spiritual devotional work found in St. Faustina’s “Divine Mercy” diary.
It is a book not to be devoured in one sitting despite being relatively short at 149 pages, but best read a little bit at a time. In that manner, it is a great bed-side book, and would be a fitting book for daily Lenten reading.
I’d highly recommend this book both as personal reading, and as a gift to others.
The compiler, Carolyn Kurtz, has divided the book into five thematic sections:
The way of:
Show More
Faith, Love, Prayer, Life, and Community. This book is a practical book; in that it is a call to action, and not merely a reflection. Certainly I would be surprised if one would not be moved, or at least challenged, upon reading it.
The book reminded me, in its easy conversational tone, of another spiritual devotional work found in St. Faustina’s “Divine Mercy” diary.
It is a book not to be devoured in one sitting despite being relatively short at 149 pages, but best read a little bit at a time. In that manner, it is a great bed-side book, and would be a fitting book for daily Lenten reading.
I’d highly recommend this book both as personal reading, and as a gift to others.
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Physical description
149 p.; 7 inches
ISBN
9780874867923