In the Apostolic Letter, PATRIS CORDE, ‘With a Father’s Heart,
Pope Francis reflects on St. Joseph, the worker and the dignity of work….
‘A working father’
An aspect of Saint Joseph that has been emphasized from the time of the first social Encyclical, Pope Leo XIII’s Rerum Novarum, is his relation to work. Saint Joseph was a carpenter who earned an honest living to provide for his family. From him, Jesus learned the value, the dignity and the joy of what it means to eat bread that is the fruit of one’s own labor.
In our own day, when employment has once more become a burning social issue, and unemployment at times reaches record levels even in nations that for decades have enjoyed a certain degree of prosperity, there is a renewed need to appreciate the importance of dignified work, of which Saint Joseph is an exemplary patron.
Work is a means of participating in the work of salvation, an opportunity to hasten the coming of the Kingdom, to develop our talents and abilities, and to put them at the service of society and fraternal communion. It becomes an opportunity for the fulfilment not only of oneself, but also of that primary cell of society which is the family. A family without work is particularly vulnerable to difficulties, tensions, estrangement and even break-up. How can we speak of human dignity without working to ensure that everyone is able to earn a decent living?
Working persons, whatever their job may be, are cooperating with God himself, and in some way become creators of the world around us. The crisis of our time, which is economic, social, cultural and spiritual, can serve as a summons for all of us to rediscover the value, the importance and necessity of work for bringing about a new “normal” from which no one is excluded. Saint Joseph’s work reminds us that God himself, in becoming man, did not disdain work. The loss of employment that affects so many of our brothers and sisters, and has increased as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic, should serve as a summons to review our priorities. Let us implore Saint Joseph the Worker to help us find ways to express our firm conviction that no young person, no person at all, no family should be without work!’
Year of St. Joseph Prayer
Hail, Guardian of the Redeemer,
Spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
To you God entrusted his only Son;
In you Mary placed her trust;
with you Christ became man.
Blessed Joseph, to us too, show
yourself a father and guide us
in the path of life.
Obtain for us grace, mercy and
courage, and defend us from
every evil. Amen.
United States Conference of Bishop Statement
The economy must serve people, not the other way around. Work is more than a way to make a living; it is a form of continuing participation in God’s creation. If the dignity of work is to be protected, then the basic rights of workers must be respected--the right to productive work, to decent and fair wages, to the organization and joining of unions, to private property, and to economic initiative.
Economic Issue of Income/Wages
We believe in the dignity of work and the right to meaningful work for all peoples, everywhere. What is a just and living wage? Will our local businesses, corporations, state and federal government move to adjusting the minimum wage to creating a living wage?
Prayer and Action
On this day honoring St Joseph the Worker, we recall all workers who have experienced injustice and sought better working conditions for themselves and those around them. Our Essential Workers, the poor, the unemployed, women who have lost jobs or have stayed at home during this Covid-19 Pandemic who deserve to be recognized, their work dignified, fair compensation, and safe work environments that allow them to shape our shared future and contribute to the common good.
One of the 14 Policy Priorities of the ‘Poor People’s Campaign’ is to raise the national minimum wage.
Increase the minimum wage immediately to $15 / hour
and then annually until it reaches a true housing wage
(estimated at $23 / hour in 2018).
Guarantee the right to form and join unions to all workers.
Another is to enact a federal jobs program…
Prioritize rural and urban areas that have been hit by deindustrialization,
climate disasters and economic crisis.
Invest in:
• socially beneficial sectors (care economy, health care, long-term care, teaching, service sectors)
• environmentally sustainable infrastructure jobs that expand and retrofit public and affordable housing, water / sanitation systems, public transit, utilities / broadband access, and sustainable food production and distribution
• expand health care and public health infrastructure, training and capacity, including rural hospitals and community care clinics, nursing capacity, EMT, long-term care, mental health and substance abuse
• convert vacant properties into affordable public housing
• repair and retrofit schools to be energy efficient and climate resilient and otherwise build up teaching and school capacity
• cultural training and production of art, music and cultural work
• training and placement in ICT, R/D and automation sectors Ensure that this expanded infrastructure is publicly held for the common good, rather than corporate and private profit
Read more by going to:
Prayer For Those Seeking Employment
Loving God,
you created the human race and know each one of us by name.
Through Christ you have chosen us to be your sons and daughters,
and to build up your Kingdom on earth.
Give us work so that we may share our talents with others and know the dignity and satisfaction that you give us through our work.
Give us patience while you open doors and wisdom to see your will.
Keep our families in your care, and provide for all our needs.
Never let stress diminish our love for each other
nor the desire for material things lessen our love for you.
With confidence and trust we make this prayer thru Jesus. Amen.
St. Joseph, our protector and guide, Pray for Us.St. Joseph, a working father, Pray for Us.St. Joseph, model for all workers. Pray for Us.
Forty Hour Week
By Alabama
Good Job
By Alicia Keyes
Honoring the Essential Workers
