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.

Fact Sheet & Handout

Fair Trade and Sustainable Halloween Treat Guide

This bulletin insert explains the connections between CST, fair trade, and sustainability and provides suggestions for places to source Halloween candy that support workers' rights and care for the...
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Prayer

Prayer of Thanksgiving for Teachers

A prayer of thanksgiving for all of the teachers who have influenced our lives.
Hotel workers protesting with signs
Reflection

Catholic Social Teaching and Unions: More Than Just Wages

This reflection uplifts the voice of one union worker and ties her story into the web of Catholic social tradition. We are called and challenged to listen to the voices of workers in our world and...
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Litany

For Artists of Our Times

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

Prayer for Child Laborers

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.  
Toolbox

Arts

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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Film Discussion Guide

Tricked

Tricked is a documentary based on real-life interviews with different people involved in sex trafficking; this film discussion guide offers questions guiding viewers to consider how the sin of...

The True Cost

This harrowing documentary tells the global story of the clothing industry and asks the question, “Who really pays the price for our clothing?” The principles of Catholic social thought and...
Film Discussion Guide

I Am Jane Doe

I Am Jane Doe discloses the hidden truth about Backpage.com, an online classified website that, along with information about bikes for sale and apartments for rent, runs a thriving internet-enabled...
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Prayer

For the Children

This prayer commemorates the World Day Against Child Labor on June 12th.
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Reflection

CST and SDGs: Work and Dignity

This reflection looks at the teachings of Popes Leo XIII, John Paul II, and Francis on work, and connects these teachings to the UN Sustainable Develop Goal related to decent work.  
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Reflection

From Rerum Novarum to the Modern World: On the Conditions of Labor Today

This reflection gives a history of Catholic social teaching on worker justice, identifies current issues pertaining to labor and workers’ rights, and provides reflection questions and other...