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.

Prayer

Prayer for Women Workers

This prayer asks blessings on all women workers and for solidarity among all women workers.
Activity

Thank You Cards for Workers

Give these thank you cards to custodial workers, baristas, restaurant workers, or hotel staff to honor their labor and build solidarity.     Instructions: 1. Print the card on...
Toolbox

Dignity of Work

This toolbox is a compilation of resources pertaining to the CST theme of the dignity of work and the rights of workers.
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Film Discussion Guide

The Burning Season: The Chico Mendes Story

Chico Mendes was a Brazilian rubber tapper, trade union leader, environmentalist, and martyr. This film highlights Mendes’s work to end the destruction of the Amazonian rain forest and to organize...
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Reflection

Catholic Social Thought and Unions

In this resource, Fr. Fred Kammer looks at the values of Church teaching that offer us a perspective on workers and unions.
Prayer Service

Embracing Peter Maurin’s Vision of Justice and Equality

The life of Peter Maurin, co-founder of the Catholic Worker movement, is prayerfully told through this prayer service.
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Prayer

Prayer for Unions

This prayer recalls that Jesus was a laborer along side his father Joseph, and he knows the strain of all those who work and seek just labor practices.
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Prayer

Prayer for Miners

We pray for miners, who collect resources for society that they never benefit from, that we might raise our voices with theirs to stand up for miners rights.
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Film Discussion Guide

DREAM ON

In the film DREAM ON, political comedian John Fugelsang retraces the journey of Alexis de Tocqueville, whose study of our young country in 1831 came to define America as a place where anyone could...
Reflection

Bread and Roses Strike of 1912

On January 11, 1912, textile workers in Lawrence, Massachusetts, cried out “Give us bread, but give us roses, too!” This reflection summarizes the events that occurred in 1912, provides...
Prayer

Prayer for Inclusion

This prayer celebrates the landmark Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) that seeks to end discrimination in the workplace, to provide equal employment and opportunities for people with...
Bulletin Insert

Catholic Social Thought and Hunger

This bulletin insert highlights the connection between Catholic Social Thought and issues related to hunger. The simple steps of learn, pray, and act can be followed individually or within a...