Thursday of the Second Week of Easter
Or St. Joseph the Worker
Matthew 13:54-58
The Dignity of Work

On May 1st, the Church honours St. Joseph the Worker, a feast instituted by Pope Pius XII in 1955 in response to the growing influence of atheistic communism. In doing so, the Church reminded the world that work is not just an economic necessity but a sacred vocation, a path to holiness, dignity, and community.

St. Joseph, a humble carpenter, worked with his hands in silence and perseverance. The Gospels refer to him with the Greek word tekton, meaning more than just “carpenter” — it meant builder, craftsman, and labourer. Jesus himself learned this trade and was known as “the carpenter’s son” (Mt 13:55). Through this hidden life of daily work, God sanctified ordinary labour and revealed its profound spiritual value.

This reflection calls us to remember all workers: those who labour in dangerous conditions, those without fair wages or protections, the unemployed, and especially children robbed of play and forced into toil. These realities, still present today, are signs of injustice that cry out to heaven.

Work is more than income — it is participation in God’s ongoing creation. It shapes identity, fosters community, and upholds dignity. When a man or woman is deprived of meaningful work, their dignity suffers. As Pope Francis reminds us, “Work is an anointing of dignity.”

As Christians, we are called to build a society where all can earn their bread with dignity. Let us advocate for just labour practices, support those seeking work, and never forget that Christ himself laboured with calloused hands. May St. Joseph the Worker intercede for all labourers, and may we learn from his example of silent strength, faithful service, and deep trust in God’s providence.

St. Joseph the Worker, pray for us.

© Claretian Publications, Hong Kong, China
Cum Approbatione Ecclesiastica 2025