Fall Events Commemorate the Life and Work of Dorothy Day
The University of Scranton and Marywood University will observe the 35th anniversary of the death of Dorothy Day through a series of events at both campuses scheduled during the fall semester.
In observance of the 35th anniversary of the death of Dorothy Day in 2015, a cooperative series of events about her life and work will be held at Marywood University and The University of Scranton.
Dorothy Day, who has been given the title “Servant of God” as the first step in the process towards being declared a saint in the Catholic Church, was called many things during her life: an activist, a journalist, a radical, a bohemian, a mother, a convert, a mystic, a prophet, and a faithful daughter of the Church. After her death on Nov. 29, 1980, historian David O’Brien famously called her “the most important, interesting, and influential figure in the history of American Catholicism.”
The events will include movie presentations; public lectures by Day’s granddaughter, Martha Hennessey, and her editor, Robert Ellsberg; documentary screenings; and a symposium. In addition to celebrating the gift of Dorothy Day’s life, the series of events will explore ways in which her witness can challenge each person to respond more fully to God’s love and call to service, justice and non-violence.
Robert Ellsberg, former editor of “The Catholic Worker,” as well as the diaries and letters of Day, will present the public lecture “Encounters with Dorothy Day” at Marywood University, on Tuesday, Sept. 29, at 7 p.m., in the Latour Room, Nazareth Student Center. Ellsberg will also present “Encounters with Dorothy Day” at The University of Scranton on Wednesday, Sept. 30, at 7 p.m., in the Pearn Auditorium of Brennan Hall.
Screenings of the documentary film “Dorothy Day: Don’t Call me a Saint” will be held at The University of Scranton on Tuesday, Oct. 13, at 7 p.m., in the Pearn Auditorium of Brennan Hall, and at Marywood University on Wednesday, Oct. 14, at 7 p.m., in the Latour Room, Nazareth Student Center.
Martha Hennessey, who is Day’s granddaughter, will present the public lecture, “Memories of My Grandmother, Prophet and Catholic Peace Activist,” at Marywood University on Wednesday, Oct. 21, at 7 p.m., in the Latour Room, Nazareth Student Center, and at The University of Scranton on Thursday, Oct. 22, at 7 p.m., in the Rose Room of Brennan Hall.
Sunday, Nov. 8, would have been Day’s 118th birthday. A symposium is being planned for that afternoon on the theme “Shared Bread for the Journey: Living Dorothy Day's Legacy of Justice.” During the symposium, people who have been influenced by her writings or example can use this opportunity to share how they are attempting to live out the values to which Day gave witness in her life as a foundress of the Catholic Worker movement.
All events are free and open to the public. For more information, contact Sister John Michele Southwick, IHM at southwick@marywood.edu or Phil Yevics at Philip.Yevics@scranton.edu.
