We, like many others, were surprised when Pope Francis declared a Year of Jubilee to begin on December 8 this fall. We were especially surprised and moved when he revealed that the theme of the Jubilee Year would be mercy. In the ancient tradition of a Year of Jubilee, slaves and prisoners were to be… continue reading
Vatican Document Jolts Church: Themes of Jubilee Year of Mercy Inspired Catholic Worker
July 22, 2015 by
What Pope Francis Means By a Culture of Encounter
July 1, 2015 by
In a homily given on his first Pentecost as our pontiff, Pope Francis suggested that the word “encounter” is central to the way he thinks of Christian relationships. In the homily he encourages the faithful to be fearless in the ways in which they look beyond their own needs and wants to those of others…. continue reading
Friend of Casa Juan Diego Becomes Bishop of Victoria
June 16, 2015 by
Casa Juan Diego receives encouragement from many sources. but especially has received encouragement from Fr. Brendan Cahilll, who will be ordained the new Bishop of the Diocese of Victoria, Texas, on June 29. Fr. Brendan has impressive credentials. He has served in several parishes. He has more recently been Director of Clergy Formation and Chaplaincy… continue reading
Rejoicing in El Salvador As Oscar Romero Declared Martyr
February 3, 2015 by
by Jaime Septién The Vatican Commission that reviewed the martyrdom of Oscar Arnulfo Romero Galdámez has given the green light to the process of beatification, ruling that the archbishop of San Salvador was assassinated because of “hatred of the faith.” With this finding, his successor, the current arch-bishop of San Salvador and president of the… continue reading
The Beatitudes Are the New Commandments
November 19, 2014 by
As Moses had covenanted with God by virtue of the law received on Mount Sinai, so Jesus, from a hill on the shore of the Lake of Galilee, gives to his disciples and to the crowd a new lesson which begins with the Beatitudes. Moses gives the Law on Mount Sinai and Jesus, the new… continue reading
To Give Is Greater
April 21, 2014 by
Bridget is a Catholic Worker in Houston. She came to live and work at Casa Juan Diego after graduation from the University of Mary Washington. So much of our lives in this world are centered on what we can get. “Buy one, get one free!” “Get your money’s worth!” “Come and get it!” Growing up,… continue reading
Crossing from Guatemala to Casa Juan Diego With Much Faith
March 15, 2014 by
By an Immigrant Woman From Guatemala Many, like us, day by day see the great need to immigrate to the United States. There are many reasons. We want to better our quality of life for our families and ourselves. We want our children to have a profession, and we want to offer them what perhaps… continue reading
Dorothy Day and Pope Francis on Advertising
March 8, 2014 by
Dorothy Day famously said, “There have been many sins against the poor which cry out to high heaven for vengeance. The one listed as one of the seven deadly sins is depriving the laborer of his share. There is another one, that is, instilling in him the paltry desires to satisfy that for which he… continue reading
The Joy of the Gospel – Option For the Poor is Fundamental; Wealth Does Not Trickle Down
February 10, 2014 by
The message of Pope Francis has swept the world, inspiring Catholics and the media, some previously disillusioned Catholics, and even atheists. His new Apostolic Exhortation, The Joy of the Gospel, profoundly illustrates why this is so. In the style which has become familiar in his papacy of less than a year, Francis challenges us to… continue reading
Priest’s Brother Healed Through Prayers to Dorothy Day: A Letter
November 8, 2013 by
Greetings Friends at the Houston Catholic Worker, I just thought I’d tell you of my brother’s healing. Last year, doctors said my 72 year old brother Paul had a serious heel-bone infection which caused the achilles tendon to tear off the heel bone. Doctors said they needed to do a biopsy to confirm their diagnosis…. continue reading
