Dignity of the Human Person

“A just society can become a reality only when it is based on the respect of the transcendent dignity of the human person.” –Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church, #132

person holding baby's index finger illustrating the dignity of the human person

Photo by Aditya Romansa

Explore a wealth of resources that illuminate the cornerstone of Catholic Social Teaching: the dignity of the human person. Rooted in the belief that every individual is created in the image of God, this teaching emphasizes the inherent worth of every human being and calls for the promotion of justice, peace, and the defense of human rights.

On this page, you’ll find:

  • Prayers and Reflections: Spiritual resources that deepen understanding of human dignity and its connection to peace, nonviolence, and disarmament.
  • Educational Materials: Lesson plans, classroom activities, and discussion guides that explore the moral imperative to respect life and promote justice.
  • Multimedia Content: Videos, infographics, and articles that bring Catholic Social Teaching on human dignity to life, highlighting its relevance in today’s world.
  • Advocacy Tools: Practical guides for advancing nonviolence, supporting disarmament, and fostering peace through the lens of human dignity.

These resources empower educators, faith leaders, and advocates to connect the principle of human dignity with actionable steps toward a more peaceful and just society. By integrating Catholic Social Teaching into learning and advocacy, these materials inspire solidarity and compassion in the face of injustice.

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Crossing Borders and Bridging Gaps Through Art

Creative Voice
Creative Voice Elshafei Dafalla shares how his vocation as an artist helps the marginalized in our global community, especially refugees and torture survivors. An interview with Elshafei and an...
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Catholic Social Thought and Art

Reflection
Catholic social teaching has reminded the Church that art and beauty reveal the possibilities of human creativity and that art is necessary for the human spirit to flourish. This reflection includes...
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Gaudete et Exsultate (Rejoice and Be Glad)

Reflection
This resource provides context for reflection on Pope Francis's latest apostolic exhortation and offers a summary of its main sections. Discussion questions and a prayer are also included.  
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For Artists of Our Times

Litany
With this litany, we remember artists of our times who use their art to promote the dignity of the human person, to advocate for systemic change, and to reflect the beauty and the need of protecting...
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Prayer for Child Laborers

Prayer
Too many young children around the world still work, often in hazardous conditions; this prayer reminds us who some of these child laborers are and why they need our advocacy and support.  
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Living Holiness Today

Prayer
Pray to find holiness in daily life, encounter, and community in the spirit of Pope Francis’s latest apostolic exhortation, Gaudete et Exsultate (Rejoice and Be Glad).  
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A Wrinkle in Time

Film Discussion Guide
This film is an adaptation of Madeline L’Engle’s timeless children’s novel that touches on the themes of friendship, self-acceptance, love, and loss. A synopsis, discussion questions, and...

Arts

Toolbox
This collection of new and revised resources celebrates all forms of art and the importance of artists in the work for global social justice.  
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Black Panther

Film Discussion Guide
The Black Panther film discussion guide explores how the film represents human dignity, solidarity, the common good, and other values. It also asks the viewer to consider the role of violence in the...
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Helen Prejean, C.S.J.: Hope Alive in Our Hearts

Prayer Service
Sister Helen Prejean, C.S.J., is a model for us, as this prayer service indicates, in the qualities she has displayed for decades: compassion, courage to speak out, concern and respect for everyone...

Step

Step provides what Pope Francis would call a moving encounter with the staff and students at the Baltimore Leadership School for Young Women; their daily struggles, their determination, their hope,...

In Gratitude for Jane Addams

Prayer
This prayer honors Jane Addams, an early advocate of the poor and of immigrants: she was also a woman dedicated to peace who won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1931.