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.

Litany

Litany of Thanksgiving for the Contributions of Black Americans

We give thanks for the contributions of Black American creative voices and the richness their creativity brings to the world. This litany praises poets, dramatists, novelists, and artists for their...
Video

Video: Lead Us, Lord

This is a video adaptation of the prayer Lead Us, Lord. This prayer asks for the grace to move from complacency to action, from building walls of division to creating bridges of unity, and from...
Prayer

Prayer for the Summer

As we move into the new summer season, we look to absorb God's light just as we absorb the summer sun. We pray to grow, rest, and reflect in these summer months.
A candle burns a light on top of the bible beside a cross. Use the light of resurrection to spread God's love.
Prayer

Awakening in Christ: A Prayer for Easter Vigil

This prayer invites us to awaken in Christ's body to share the love of God with the world in light of Easter and the resurrection.
Prayer

Prayer for My White Colleagues in Education

This prayer invites white educators to wallow in their discomfort as a first step on a journey toward systemic change that includes looking at the history of their institutions with new eyes and...
Prayer

Prayer for the Epiphany 2021

This prayer for Epiphany invites us to open our longing hearts to the Holy Family and to recognize today's migrants as holy families. May the light of Epiphany bless us with a vision of a just and...
Lesson Plan

Lessons Plans for Fratelli Tutti

In an increasingly divided world, Pope Francis calls us to breakdown barriers through reconciliation and encounter in his new encyclical Fratelli Tutti. This guide provides lesson plans, prayer,...
Film Discussion Guide

John Lewis: Good Trouble

This film discussion guide provides questions to go along with the documentary about civil rights leader John Lewis. Topics covered include commitment to Nonviolence, voter rights, and the role of...
Prayer

A Lamentation and Prayer for Action Against Racism

This prayer of lamentation mourns Black lives lost due to the sin of racism. We are called to embrace and embody gospel values in order to transform sinful structures of racism and...
As this kayak sits in the water drifting toward its peace, regain yours. Reflect on Easter to help you do so.
Reflection

Easter with an Amazonian Face

Connect with global voices on climate change through Easter with an Amazonian Face, a resource created by the Inter-Religious Working Group on Extractive Industries (IRWGEI). Read reflections on...
Reflection

Migrant Workers' Rights and COVID-19

During COVID19, there has been a great deal of talk regarding essential workers. In many ways, the virus has reminded us of those workers we frequently forget or outright ignore. Learn how COVID-19...
Book Discussion Guide

Dying to Live

Dying to Live is a book that aims to dive deeper into the world of those forced to flee home to survive, refugees, through their personal stories. This discussion guide provides questions that allow...