As we prepare for Christmas, I find myself rejoicing at all the new babies and children that have found refuge at Casa Juan Diego. At times, we have relatively few children, but then immigration authorities will deliver so many that we have almost more than we can handle. Because the work of our house is 24/7… continue reading
Casa Juan Diego in Houston, Saint Juan Diego, and a New Life in Christ
November 19, 2023 by
Two years ago, God blessed me with the opportunity to be a Catholic Worker for the summer. Before arriving in Casa Juan Diego, I was not entirely sure what living there would entail, but I knew I wanted to spend my summer doing service and learning more about the Catholic faith. One of the requirements… continue reading
Advent Reflection
November 10, 2023 by
“You promised that you would come, and actually made good your promise. But how, O Lord, how did You come? You did it by taking a human life as Your own. You became like us in everything: born of a woman, You suffered under Pontius Pilate, were crucified, died, and were buried. And thus You… continue reading
“We imagine that their sufferings are one thing and our life another” – Leo Tolstoy
September 9, 2023 by
At our Friday evening meeting just before Pentecost, we shared with the men of Casa Juan Diego the reading from the Acts of the Apostles about the coming of the Holy Spirit. When the Apostles, filled with the Holy Spirit, began to speak in different languages, those in the large crowd from many nations heard… continue reading
Two Hours in the Life of a Catholic Worker at Casa Juan Diego in Houston
September 1, 2023 by
I am often asked what we do here at Casa Juan Diego. My usual answer is we provide hospitality to new immigrants from around the world, which means we live in community together and care for each other. Yet this is just a part of our work; we also serve and respond to the larger… continue reading
Good Food Isn’t a Luxury at Casa Juan Diego in Houston
August 29, 2023 by
In Javier Zamora’s memoir Solito about his “trip” in 1999 as a lone, nine year-old from El Salvador to the United States to join his parents, he recalls the few tasty meals he ate during his harrowing six-week journey that took three attempts to get across the U.S.-Mexico border. There was the fried, fresh fish… continue reading
Pope Francis writes Preface to Dorothy Day’s book, From Union Square to Rome, in new Italian edition
August 21, 2023 by
Pope Francis writes the preface to the Italian edition of Dorothy Day’s autobiography, entitled, “I found God through His poor. From atheism to faith: my inner journey” (Libreria Editrice Vaticana-LEV). Dorothy Day (1897-1980), founder of the Catholic Worker Movement, journalist, writer, pacifist and activist, is remembered for her commitment to the poor and social justice…. continue reading
All Things Bright and Beautiful: Reflections on God’s Transforming Love at Casa Juan Diego
June 18, 2023 by
Kacie came to Casa Juan Diego as a Catholic Worker after graduating from the University of Notre Dame to spend the better part of a year here before going to medical school. It is 3 o’clock in the morning. While the tight-knit team of Catholic Workers would normally be fast asleep – exhausted from the… continue reading
The Crown of Martyrdom, the Cult of the Dead, and Recent Martyrs
June 6, 2023 by
Martyrs for the Faith – Then and Now Some of the most well-known martyrs who died for their faith are from the earliest years of the Church – beginning with Jesus the Christ himself and then Stephen and many others martyred in Roman times. Over the centuries, Christians have continued to face persecution and martyrdom…. continue reading
Veronica’s Veil – Working Amidst Impossible Situations at the Houston Catholic Worker
March 10, 2023 by
Marjorie began as a Catholic Worker at Casa Juan Diego this past summer after her graduation from Saint Francis University in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. In Catholic tradition, there is a saint named Veronica who, as the story goes, was so overcome by the sight of Jesus carrying his cross on the road to be crucified that… continue reading
