A Letter To Dorothy Day

In my writing class last Thursday one of the practices was to "Write a letter to someone (in)famous in history, someone really dastardly, or someone really inspiring."  This was the letter I wrote:

Dear Dorothy,

So they're talking about making you a saint.  Have you heard?  Can you believe it?  Are you rolling over in your grave right now?  I have to admit I sort of laughed out loud when I first saw the facebook post: USCCB overwhelmingly supports making Dorothy Day a saint.  I thought it was a joke.  Maybe something from the Onion.  Seriously? These same men who are leading the witch hunt against nuns and girl scouts?  These same men who sit on thrones in fine robes and never go for wont of a good meal or warm comfy bed?  These same men want to lift up you and your life's work amongst the ranks of the saints. What are they playing at?  These men who so easily can say they support you but then continue to condemn the holy women of today who continue your works of mercy, serving the poor.  What do you think about this?  There seems to be a lot of support among the laity as well for making you a saint.  But has everyone forgotten that infamous phrase you told us?  "Don't call me a saint, I don't want to be dismissed so easily."  You didn't want to be a saint when you were alive, how about now that you're dead?  You wanted to remind us that there was nothing extraordinary about you and your beliefs.  Your life's work was and is the call of all who follow Christ.  This is who we are called to be.  This is the message Christ gave us to love one another, serve the least of these, and that whatever we do for our brother or sister we do for him.  So what happens now future Saint Dorothy?  How does your memory live on in the Church and the world?  What is it that you want to remind us of?  What words of wisdom do you have today for those who wish to call you saint? 

Feast day of St. Therese of Lisieux

Today is the feast day of St. Therese of Lisieux. I just learned that she is the patron saint of missionaries, and so it is an especially meaningful feast day for me as I currently serve as a missionary in Peru. I also want to give a shout out to Therese of the Divine Peace Inclusive Community in St. Louis since Therese is their primary patron saint as well. Praying for everyone at Therese and also all missionaries around the world today. Below is a beautiful prayer by St. Therese of Lisieux that I find particularly poignant for me in trusting I am exactly where I am meant to be. Enjoy

May today there be peace within.
May you trust in God that you are exactly
where you are meant to be.
May you not forget the infinite possibilities that are born of faith.
May you use those gifts you have received,
and pass on the love that has been given you.
May you be content knowing that you are a child of God.
Let this presence settle into your bones, and allow your soul the freedom to sing, dance, praise and love. Amen.
— St. Therese of Lisieux