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 a Renewed World

We pray with these words for a world that desires the fullness of life and renewal in the face of so much suffering.  

Honoring the Dignity of All Workers

Take a global tour of today’s workers: http://bit.ly/1ObPpbw.    

Catholic Social Thought and Wages

In this resource, Fr. Fred Kammer, S.J., looks at the Church's teaching on just wages for workers, a concept grounded in human dignity and other basic values of Catholic Social Teaching.  

The Spirituality of Work: On the Condition of Labour

Human work has meaning in the eyes of God. Through work, humans share in the activity of the creator, becoming co-creators of the kingdom of God.  
Prayer Service

Workers' Rights: Rooted in Gospel Dignity and Solidarity

The prayer service helps us to focus on the blessings of work and on the gifts we can bring to the greater community through our work, helping create a more just world.  
Litany

Litany for Living Wages

This litany helps us to pray for the dignity that is due all workers, a dignity that must be reflected in just wages and fair working conditions. Workers deserve dignity, not charity; our Church...
Prayer - Help Us to See - 3.jpg
Prayer

Christmas Prayer: Help Us See You

This prayer for the Christmas season invites us to respond to the signs of the times and to see the Christ Child in the sick, the wounded, the oppressed, and the vulnerable.  

Cesar Chavez

The new film Cesar Chavez raises many challenging questions as we explore his legacy of seeking justice for farmworkers. Posted on April 15, 2014
Lesson Plan

Labor Day 2013 Lesson Plan

The United States observes Labor Day 2013 at a time when its income inequality is greater than any other developed nation. This lesson plan explores causes of inequality, considers the USCCB 2013...

Placing Work and Workers at the Center of Economic Life

The U.S. Catholic Bishops have developed annual Labor Day letters to respond to the signs of the times related to work and workers. This resource summarizes their 2012 Labor Day statement.  

National Women's Equality Day

Women's Equality Day is commemorated on August 26. This one-page fact sheet looks at the gender wage gap, and provides questions for reflection.