: In 1891, Pope Leo XIII issued Rerum Novarum (Rights and Duties of Capital and Labor). On the ninetieth anniversary of Rerum Novarum, Pope John Paul II released On Human Work.  Last September Archbishop Thomas Wenski delivered a Labor Day Statement as the Chairman of the Committee on Domestic Justice and Human Development for the USCCB.  And since his election in March of 2013, Pope Francis has spoken out often on the issue of labor.  There is one word that appears often in all of these texts: dignity.  
 
On this Labor Day weekend when we take time out from our busy schedules to celebrate the achievements of American workers, it is also a time to remember those who work without adequate compensation and/or healthcare, or those who cannot find work.  Pope Francis has stated,
 
Work – I repeat, in its many forms – is proper to the human person.  It expresses the dignity of being created in the image and likeness of God.  Thus it is said that work is sacred.  And thus, managing one’s occupation is a great human and social responsibility, which cannot be left in the hands of a few or unladen onto some divinized “market.”  Causing the loss of jobs means causing serious harm to society.  It makes me sad to see people without work, who don’t find work and don’t have the dignity of bringing bread home.  I rejoice greatly when I see governments go to great lengths to find jobs and try to see that everyone has work. Work is sacred, work gives dignity to a family.  We have to pray that no family is left without work.
 
Google Pope Francis on the dignity of work to read more.
 
This Labor Day, let us join with Pope Francis in praying for those who have lost their jobs and for those who work under unjust conditions.