ABSTRACT

In 1929 the United States was in a state of economic, political, and social crisis. This country faced the devasting effects of poverty, hunger, and sickness in a magnitude never before experienced in its history. The Catholic Worker Movement was designed to be a “way of life”, a system of beliefs, values, attitudes, and patterns of behavior set down by its charismatic leaders, Peter Maurin and Dorothy Day. The ideology of this movement has its roots in Catholic dogma and Marxist Philosophies as Maurin and Day’s interpretation of these beliefs termed “Utopian Christian Communism.” Before continuing, it is necessary to mention that the Catholic Worker Movement started as a newspaper; later homes of hospitality and communal farms were founded. The newssheet was developed because Maurin believed it was time for a Catholic paper to be printed, not only for the unemployed Catholic, but for whoever else would read it.