The St. Peter Claver Catholic Worker began in September 2003 aspiring to follow in the tradition of hospitality offered by Dorothy Day and Peter Maurin, using Mt. 25:31-44 as a guide in practicing the works of mercy. We are committed to active nonviolence, simple living, and prayer. The community of lay men and women staff welcomes guests off the street to live with them in the men’s and women’s houses of hospitality located in downtown South Bend at 515 and 518 S. St. Joseph St. There is no set length of stay.
The Catholic Worker Movement was founded in 1933 by Dorothy Day and Peter Maurin with a vision for implementing the Gospels and Catholic social teaching. Guided by the principles of Communitarianism and Personalism, Catholic Workers are committed to serving those who are on the margins of society. We are devoted to working towards decentralized societies, a green revolution, manual labor, voluntary poverty, and nonviolence along with opposition to all war efforts.
The Catholic Worker also offers hospitality at Our Lady of the Road, located at 744 S. Main St., two blocks from the community houses. Anyone can come to take showers, do laundry, have breakfast, rest and enjoy conversation with one another. Our Lady of the Road is open Friday and Saturday, 8 - 11 am and Sunday, 8 - 10 am. We also celebrate Mass together every Wednesday evening at 7:30 pm in our recently completed Chapel of the Holy Spirit at Our Lady of the Road. We also have a potluck every other Wednesday before mass at 5:30. Please check our calendar to see when our next potluck is.