May 2024 Catholic Social Teaching: Dignity of Work and the Rights of Workers

Pope Pius XII dedicated May 1, 1955, to be a feast day in honor of St. Joseph the Worker. This feast honors St. Joseph but also highlights the necessity and beauty of work which is found in Genesis (2:15). 

Work is an avenue that people can use the incredible spiritual, mental and physical gifts that God has bestowed upon each person. In the papal encyclical Laudato Si’, Pope Francis highlights that “work should be the setting for this rich personal growth, where many aspects of life enter into play: creativity, planning for the future, developing our talents, living out our values, relating to others and giving glory to God” (127). 

For work to really take on its complete meaning for every individual, the dignity of work and the rights of the workers must also be upheld by all employers with the core understanding that work exists for people, but people do not exist solely for the sake of work or to be exploited. There are avenues of growth for the employee, employer and consumer of products to create spaces for all to use these gifts to thrive and an opportunity to reflect on the hidden life of St. Joseph and the work he pursued. 

Reflect

In this image what draws you in? Is it the observation of the angels, the focus of the child Jesus upon St. Joseph or the diligence of St. Joseph carpentry? 

How does the light draw you to the child Jesus and his father Joseph?

How does this image illuminate the dignity of work? What can we learn from St. Joseph in this image?

Image Credit: Childhood of Christ – Gerard van Honthorst

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