Dignity of Work and Rights of Workers

Demonstrators holding signs demanding the right to vote and equal civil rights at the March on Washington

“The rights of workers, like all other rights, are based on the nature of the human person and on their transcendent dignity.” Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church, #301

All workers have inalienable rights, as the economy should serve the person; the person does not exist to serve the economy.

Discover a rich collection of resources rooted in Catholic Social Teaching, designed to illuminate the dignity of work and the rights of workers. This curated content equips educators, faith leaders, and advocates with tools to inspire action and reflection on justice in the workplace and economic systems.

Catholic Social Teaching Resources on the Dignity of Work and Rights of Workers

  • Prayers and Reflections: Ground your understanding of work and human dignity in spiritual practices and Gospel values.
  • Lesson Plans and Activities: Engaging, ready-to-use materials for teaching about labor rights and the moral implications of economic justice.
  • Multimedia Resources: Videos, articles, and visuals that bring the principles of Catholic Social Teaching to life for diverse audiences.
  • Advocacy Tools: Practical guides for promoting fair wages, safe conditions, and policies that prioritize workers’ rights.

Each resource is crafted to deepen your understanding of the Church’s commitment to justice, solidarity, and the common good. Whether you’re preparing for a classroom discussion, parish presentation, or personal study, these materials offer valuable insights into how the dignity of work is a cornerstone of human flourishing.

Book Discussion Guide

Book Discussion Guide "Leading Toward Liberation: How to Build Cultures of Thriving in Higher Education"

Leading Toward Liberation: How to Build Cultures of Thriving in Higher Education by Annmarie Caño, Ph.D. (Johns Hopkins University Press, 2025) reframes leadership through the lens of liberation...
Reflection

Discussion Guide for Dilexi te

Dilexi te (Apostolic Exhortation of Pope Leo XIV, 2025) reflects a vision of a Church renewed through love, simplicity, and justice. Issued on October 4, 2025, the Feast of St. Francis of Assisi,...
Activity

Discernment and Purchasing Guide

Reflect on how faith and justice intersect with everyday purchasing decisions. Through an Ignatian lens, explore ethical consumption, fast fashion, and the spirituality of discernment. Featuring a...
Video

Rerum Novarum Webinar - Theology, Philosophy, and History

Learn more about Rerum Novarum, Pope Leo XIII’s 1891 encyclical that affirmed the dignity of workers, defended their rights to just wages, safe conditions, and labor unions, and called for...
Lesson Plan

Rerum Novarum - Theology, Philosophy, and History

This resource offers educators a practical and engaging way to help students understand and connect with Pope Leo XIII’s Rerum Novarum, a foundational document in Catholic Social Teaching....
Prayer

Video Prayer for Unions

This video prayer invites reflection on the inherent dignity and rights of all workers. It honors the courage and advocacy of unions and individuals who strive for fairness, safety, and justice in...
Labor acknowledgement Juneteenth image of red, green, yellow, and black bricks

Labor Acknowledgment Juneteenth

On Juneteenth, we recognize the painful legacy of slavery and honor the resilience of Black Americans whose forced labor helped build the United States. In our labor acknowledgment, we reflect on the...
Reflection

Student Guide on Inequality and United States Elections

The crisis of inequality creates deep divisions between people and communities despite progress in reducing extreme poverty. Rising wealth inequality, especially impacting women, Indigenous peoples,...
Bulletin Insert

Bulletin Insert: Inequality and United States Elections (Revised)

This bulletin insert offers insights from Catholic Social Teaching on inequality and the elections. It includes recent statistics and reflections from Catholic Social Teaching. Additionally, we...
Cover of the book "Doing Faith Justice" An Introduction to Catholic Social Teach In
Book Discussion Guide

Doing Faithjustice Discussion Guide

In the latest edition of Doing Faithjustice, Fred Kammer S.J., a lawyer, activist, and Jesuit priest, addresses the pressing issue of human poverty and injustice amidst our consumer-driven,...
Fact Sheet & Handout

CST, Human Trafficking and Asian American Women

Catholic Social Teaching offers insights as to how we can advocate for an end to human trafficking and guidance as to why we need to bring an end to it. Knowing the types and examples of trafficking...
Fact Sheet & Handout

Asian American Women and Women’s History

Learn about the history of Asian American women in the United States and put this into the context of the anniversary of the spa shooting in Atlanta, Georgia, in 2021 that killed six Asian American...