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.

Pope Benedict XVI Writes about Migrants and Refugees

For the World Day of Migrants and Refugees, Pope Benedict XVI has written a message on justice for migrants. This resource highlights his message and offers an activity on the most recent U.S....

Halloween Chocolate is No Treat for Child Cocoa Laborers

While millions of people around the world will stock up on Halloween candy in the new few months before Halloween, we are called to reflect on the child cocoa workers in many countries in the...
Litany

Litany for Workers (in both English and Spanish)

This two-page bilingual Labor Day litany for worker justice can be used with both English and Spanish-speaking audiences.
Quiz

U.S. Worker Justice Quiz

This two-page resource on Worker Justice includes a quiz, a prayer and a quote from Catholic Social Teaching. The resource can be used for group discussion, as a handout, or for personal reflection.

Faith and Worker Justice

These two short reflections on faith, worker justice, and work in every day life, can be used as a handout and/or bulletin insert.

Slavery in the 21st Century

This resource offers information and activities on slavery in the 21st century. Individual pages can also be used as bulletin inserts or fact sheets.

Social Security Reform from a Scriptural Perspective

Jim Wallis from Sojourners offers this reflection on social security reform from a biblical perspective.

Street Children

This fact sheet describes the situation of the millions of children around the world who are called "street children." The resource is based on the New Internationalist magazine's April...

Social Security Reform from a Catholic Social Teaching Perspective

This two-page resource provides an overview of the Catholic Social Teaching perspective on social security and highlights the U.S. Catholic Bishops' key criteria by which reform proposals should be...

Workers Rights and Unions: The Computer Industry

This is an interactive resource that contains case studies, CST, a role play, prayers, reflection questions, and more. It was adapted from CAFOD's "Clean up your computer" game.

CST, Work and Women

CST, Work and Women is a two-page handout/bulletin that looks at data on how current trade agreements are negatively affecting women workers in the U.S. It features CST teaching on work and a guide...

The Philippines: Children and Sex Trafficking

This is one of six case studies that focuses on justice issues that impact children around the world. This case study focuses on children and sex trafficking in the Philippines. It can be used during...