Saint Joseph, head of the Holy Family, and carpenter model of workers, shows us the dignity of work and workers. Work is to be a means of sanctification, honouring the gifts and talents we receive from our Creator (Catechism of the Catholic Church #2427).

Saint Pope Pius XII instituted the memorial of Saint Joseph the Worker on May 1, 1955. As Saint Pope John Paul II states, ‘the Church always considers it her task to call attention to the dignity and rights of those who work, to condemn situations in which that dignity and those rights are violated, and to help to guide the above-mentioned changes so as to ensure authentic progress by man and society’ (Laborem Exercens, I.1.1).

O God, Creator of all things,
who laid down for the human race the law of work,
graciously grant that by the example of Saint Joseph and under his patronage
we may complete the works you set us to do
and attain the rewards you promise.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, for ever and ever.

Collect Prayer from the Memorial of Saint Joseph the Worker