May 1, 2025

“Work is a fundamental dimension of man’s existence.”
—St. John Paul II, Laborem Exercens, 4

On May 1, the Church honors St. Joseph the Worker, patron of laborers and model of dignity in work. This feast, instituted by Pope Pius XII in 1955, was deliberately placed on the same day as International Workers’ Day to offer a Christian vision of labor—one rooted not in ideology, but in sanctity.

The Book of Genesis reminds us that work is not a punishment, but a participation in God’s creative action:

“God created man in his image… and God said to them: Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth and subdue it” (Genesis 1:27-28).

St. Joseph’s humble, hidden life as a carpenter in Nazareth gives us a powerful example of the holiness found in ordinary labor. Though Scripture records no words from him, his actions speak volumes. He provided for Mary and Jesus through the honest work of his hands, sanctifying the everyday tasks of life.

The Second Vatican Council reaffirmed the dignity of work in Gaudium et Spes:

“By his labor a man ordinarily provides for himself and his family, associates with others as his brothers and sisters, and renders service to society… Work is in the first place ‘for the person’ and not the person ‘for work’” (Gaudium et Spes, 67).

Pope Benedict XVI also reflected on this in his 2009 encyclical Caritas in Veritate:

“Work is an essential part of the social question… it is through work that the person is realized in society and partakes of the development of humanity” (Caritas in Veritate, 32).

And in today’s Gospel (Matthew 13:54-58), Jesus is identified not by His miracles, but by His earthly ties: “Is he not the carpenter’s son?” Even the Son of God was known through Joseph’s trade—a reminder that God Himself dignified the life of the worker.

As we begin the Month of May, we recall that Joseph labored out of love for both Mary and Jesus. On this day, we entrust all workers, job seekers, and families to the protection of St. Joseph.

St. Joseph the Worker, pray for us!