We are a community of people with diverse spiritual practices although our roots are in, and we continue to be inspired by, the Catholic Worker Movement. Begun by Dorothy Day and Peter Maurin in 1933, the Catholic Worker philosophy and ideals are carried out by upwards of 200 houses worldwide in various works of mercy in the spirit of "gentle personalism." Gentle personalism says that all persons have dignity; all persons have the right to be respected. It says that each person who comes to Martin's is a guest and is to be treated as such. It says that eating is a right, not a privilege, and that feeding the hungry is a matter of justice, not of charity. In an era of corporations, Martin's is unique. It is not a business and does not function as such. All donations go to benefit those for whom the money is intended. It receives no Church or government funds. There is no salaried staff and almost no administrative costs. Martin's operates on the principle that what must get done will get done, and strives to develop a sense of personal responsibility towards the work. Those with an administrator's mindset may find Martin's to be a perplexing enigma. Nevertheless, many who spend a day at the kitchen find themselves touched, even changed, and there are volunteers who have worked at Martin's since it first opened in 1971. At Martin's, both guests and volunteers represent an incredible cross-section of humanity. Almost every conceivable race, religion, age, economic and social background, political belief, and educational level are found here. As one volunteer observed, "Some of the most fascinating conversations I have ever heard have been at Martin's—on both sides of the counter." Martin's is many things. Some people see it as a miracle. Some see it as a problem because "the poor" are not always pretty, and it is easier if "they" are invisible. Some see Martin's as the one place where someone calls them by name. Some see Martin's as a sanctuary with a tranquil garden. Some see it as a place that adds meaning and a sense of community to their lives. Some see Martin's as a fun place to eat or volunteer. Some see it as a place to do that "something worthwhile" they always meant to do. Some see Martin's as a place where warm nourishing food is served, without embarrassment, without prosely-tization. Some see it as a place where they can live out the Catholic Worker philosophy in which they so deeply believe. Some see Martin's as a place that shows what idealism looks like in practice. If you are wondering what Martin’s could mean to you, come and see. You will never be quite the same!
