Unruly Saint

I received an advance copy of this book from the publisher and I was hesitantly excited about the subject. I'd long been drawn to people of faith who lived humble lives of service, but admittedly knew little about Dorothy Day. I was in attendance when Pope Francis commended her in front of the U.S. Congress as an exemplary American. I had heard varied quotes and references to her from the people I interviewed for my own newspaper. But hadn't gone any further into understanding her life.

This book is perfect. The perspective of an author finding similar curiosity about the (perhaps soon-to-be-officially-sainted) saint — and also finding a great deal in common with her.

The life of Dorothy Day weighs heavy on the reader — but the book itself is a delight to read; I couldn't put it down. My copy is destroyed with dog-eared pages and underlines of ideas and quotes I hope to return to.

After immersing myself in the sacrificial, bold life of Dorothy Day, I'm afraid my life won't ever be the same. Just as D.L. Mayfield's Introduction alluded to, Dorothy Day has become a pebble in my shoe, a reminder of the responsibility I have to my neighbor and the hopeful opportunity I have to create a more just, and perhaps more beautiful world.

I recommend this book for all seekers of justice, all people of faith, all who believe that the world can be a better place, and all creators of newspapers (and the rare few who live at the intersection of multiple of the above).