Dear Friends of Casa Juan Diego, As we await the coming of the Messiah, who comes to us as a child at Christmas, we are conscious of how vulnerable the Lord was as a child and throughout his life. The child’s father and mother were amazed at what was said about him; and Simeon blessed them… continue reading
John Henry Newman: New Doctor of the Church
December 2, 2025 by
When we heard that Pope Leo XIV had given his approval for John Henry Newman to be made a Doctor of the Church, I looked to Dorothy Day ‘s writings for her perspective on Newman and how this momentous decision relates to the Catholic Worker movement. The references I sought were found in her diaries,… continue reading
An Unarmed and Disarming Peace: Pope Leo XIV, the Algerian Martyrs, and Our Holiness
November 8, 2025 by
“Peace be with you!” These were the first words that Pope Leo XIV spoke as he emerged from the balcony of St. Peter’s on May 8, 2025. He would use the word “peace” nine more times in his short address. Peace, it was clear, would take priority in his pontificate. As Pope Leo made that priority clear, one phrase… continue reading
Where Hope Lives: on the Margins with Casa Juan Diego
November 8, 2025 by
Check-in at Casa Juan Diego These days, I often find myself answering the same question: “How is Casa Juan Diego?” It’s a good question, one that deserves more than a simple answer. I could list the many difficult and frightening things happening right now: policies and practices that force individuals and entire communities into… continue reading
Dorothy Day Quoting St. Augustine
July 8, 2025 by
Our new Pope Leo XIV belongs to the Augustinian Order Thurs., 8/28– Feast of St. Augustine, (A.D. 354-430). My favorite quotation from The Confessions of St. Augustine: “What is it that I love when I love my God? It is a certain light that I love and melody and fragrance and embrace that I love when I… continue reading
Needs at Casa Juan Diego
June 26, 2025 by
Rice Baby wipes Adult diapers, size x-large Underpads for the sick Pinto beans Deodorant for men Shampoo Conditioner disposable razors Vicks vap0-rub Miralax
Our New Holy Father Pope Leo XIV
June 12, 2025 by
I was reading a commentary on the Gospel according to St. Luke at the time when an event that surprised the world took place. It was unexpected that a missionary to the poor of Latin America, a priest, then bishop, then cardinal, who had reached out to the marginalized, to refugees for years, could become… continue reading
Peter Maurin Justice Gardens: A New Kind of Victory
May 6, 2025 by
Could you help grow food for the community and the poor? For over 22 years, the garden at Casa Juan Diego has flourished. In raised beds and borrowed earth, we’ve grown thousands of pounds of fresh vegetables—food that has gone directly to our house of hospitality, nourishing the poor, the migrant, the sick, the stranger…. continue reading
Unexpected Gifts: What I Learned as a Pregnant Catholic Worker at Casa Juan Diego
April 29, 2025 by
From Mary’s fiat to the prophets of the Old Testament, God repeatedly calls His people to “be not afraid.” Yet, despite the blessings of a comfortable life, I am prone to fear. As a newlywed with plans to attend medical school and dreams of building a family, I have spent the last few years in… continue reading
Sacrifice, Creativity, Availability in Bulgakov, Mounier, Dorothy Day, and Fr. John Hugo
April 20, 2025 by
“Good and evil are not, after all, two equal and opposing forces” (Sergei Bulgakov) Someone recently asked us if we were going to write about politicians, oligarchs, and technology czars, about their speeches and policies that hurt many. Hundreds of people, however, are already writing about that. We are trying to look more deeply at… continue reading
