Today we celebrate a recent feast on the liturgical calendar, the feast of St. Joseph the Worker. It’s a fitting occasion to recall the dignity of daily work.
Pope Pius XII instituted this feast in 1955, most likely in response to the Communist celebration of May 1 as International Workers' Day. But the history of Catholics honoring the worker goes back much further.
Christians believe that work is more than a way to earn money and make a living. Our work allows us to participate in the creativity of God. Consequently, the worker is to be protected and honored, no matter how humble the job.
Work done well and offered to God can be its own prayer. Our best efforts can be a sacrifice of love and thus a means of sanctification.
There are countless words of wisdom from Scripture, Church teaching, and the saints that affirm the goodness of meaningful work. These 7 in particular capture the worthiness of good work. Hopefully they can inspire you in your own daily work, whatever it may be!
