On Pilgrimage: The Sixties

This excellent collection of columns from journalist Day (1897–1980) catalogs her thoughts on faith, American life, and social justice as seen in the pages of The Catholic Worker magazine throughout 1960s. Day gave accounts of the many important events that marked the decade, including the Cuban Revolution, debates about the death penalty, and the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr. Day protested capital punishment with a vigil outside Sing Sing prison and urged readers to read King’s work to “understand what the words Black Power really mean.” She believed the dark side of government could be improved by a Christian approach to governance, and offered words of hope: “We reaffirm our belief in the ultimate victory of good over evil, of love over hatred, and we believe the trials which beset us in the world today are for the perfecting of our faith which is more precious than gold.” She also delves into personal matters, such as how Christian writers (among them Thomas Merton and St. Augustine) helped inform her thinking and the joys of her daughter and grandkids, which adds humor and eases the tension of the many politically charged entries. This is a great place to start for those interested in Day’s peace advocacy and work for social justice. (May)