From Fr. Mark-August 31, 2025

From Fr. Mark

            Thank you to all who work so hard in many different ways, from chairing the picnic, chairing individual booths, those who prepared the food workers on the ground, and those who made monetary donations to the picnic. THANK YOU!  

Labor Day and the Catholic Church

            In 1894 President Grover Cleveland made Labor Day an official holiday so that all Americans could celebrate work and workers. However, Americans had begun celebrating Labor Day starting in the 1880s, during the height of the Industrial Revolution, when immigrants flocked to America to fill the growing number of low-paying jobs in city factories. Many of the immigrants arriving after the Civil War were Roman Catholics from all parts of Europe. The founders of Labor Day themselves were Irish Catholics seeking better working conditions for the millions of American workers—whole families, including children, who worked long hours in dismal, unsafe factories for extremely low wages. Although their jobs were often the worst of the worst, they knew that work was nevertheless a blessing from God and therefore should be honored.

            American Catholic workers from the nineteenth to the twentieth century, looking for validity in their jobs and commensurate recognition (mostly in terms of job security and good wages), joined labor unions and other organizations to promote the cause of workers. One such promoter of Catholic work was Dorothy Day, a convert to Catholicism, who in 1933 helped to establish a movement and newspaper, The Catholic Worker, to fight for the recognition and the rights of the American worker.

            There is Biblical and ecclesiastical support for the recognition of the worker, the value of work, and the rights of workers. In the Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church, issued under Pope John Paul II, the necessity and value of work is justified according to Biblical and Catholic doctrine. God’s work, human work, God’s Creation, and humans as creatures who work according to God’s will—these are important themes in the Bible. Adam and Eve were ordained to work, but as obedient creatures working according to God’s will rather than as creators of their own world in the absence of God. God made humans the stewards of the creation working within the guidelines, the will, of God.

            There is no better source of wisdom for the value of work and no better model for the worker than the life of Jesus of Nazareth, who learned the trade of a carpenter, and practiced this trade during his life. He often commented on his role working to bring about the Kingdom of God. His life was therefore one of working with God’s creation to fulfill its potential and bring awareness of God’ love to all. These tasks are still primary to His disciples, to us, today.

            The Holy Family is a model for the working family. As Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church proclaims, “the family constitutes one of the most important terms of reference for shaping the social and ethical order of human work.” Just as Joseph taught Jesus a trade, so must all parents impart to their children the realization of the importance of work in human, social, and cultural existence and in God’s plan for His creation: “Idleness is harmful to man’s being, whereas activity is good for his body and soul.”

            Work is a core aspect that holds the family together both in terms of self-esteem of the different family members and the ability of the family to provide a successful and healthy standard of living. Work promotes the domestic economy of order, cleanliness, and health. It provides the material bases for these standards which, in turn, promote self-respect and family pride as well.

While many of us think of Labor Day Weekend as the last “hurrah” – and a good weekend to shop!  Since the Catholic Church has teachings related to social justice, workers' rights, and the dignity of labor, it is an appropriate time to make the connections that can be drawn between these teachings and the values promoted by Labor Day, such as:

1.     Dignity of Labor: The Catholic Church emphasizes the dignity of every human person, including their work. Labor Day aligns with this teaching by recognizing the value and worth of workers and their contributions to society.

2.     Just Wages and Workers' Rights: Catholic social doctrine calls for fair wages, just working conditions, and the protection of workers' rights. Labor Day's origins are in part a response to unfair working conditions and exploitation of workers, aligning with the Church's teachings on social justice.

3.     Solidarity: Catholic social teachings emphasize the importance of solidarity among people, especially between the privileged and the marginalized. Labor Day's focus on workers' rights and the labor movement reflects this sense of solidarity, as it seeks to improve the lives of those who might be economically disadvantaged.

4.     Subsidiarity: This principle suggests that individuals and communities should have a say in matters affecting them. Labor Day, in its recognition of the labor movement's efforts, can be seen as an embodiment of this principle by empowering workers to advocate for their own rights.

5.     Option for the Poor and Vulnerable: The Catholic Church teaches that societies should prioritize the needs of the poor and vulnerable. Labor Day's history of advocating for improved conditions for workers, who often belong to these groups, aligns with this teaching.

6.     Respect for the Sabbath: While not directly related to Labor Day, the concept of taking a day of rest and worship echoes the Catholic practice of observing the Sabbath, a day of rest and reflection.

Catholic social teachings provide a framework for understanding the importance of workers' rights and social justice.  This Labor Day, let us remember those laborers and families who put in long hours at work but still fall short of providing for their loved ones.