Daily Reflection, May 1, 2026

Reflection

Today, on May 1st, the Catholic Church celebrates the feast of Saint Joseph the Worker. Established in 1955 by Pope Pius XII, it offers a Christian vision of the dignity of labour alongside the communist International Workers’ Day. Fighting for the rights and dignity of the working class.

In the era of the industrial revolution, as Marx was twirling that beard of his writing his manifesto, Pope Leo XIII was also busy at work writing 

Rerum Novarum affirming the dignity of the human person and the injustices of the industrial revolution. That workers have a right to a living wage and the call for economic systems that centres the flourishing of the human person.

Today we still remain far from this vision . Around 50 million people worldwide live under forms of modern slavery, including forced labour and exploitation. Rising living costs mean many people work two or three jobs just to survive. Even here in Australia, nurses and teachers still find themselves sleeping in their cars just to survive. This is a grave injustice.

So with the patronage of St Joesph, in the peace and love of Christ, we remember all those across the world who struggle simply to survive. We pray for wisdom and integrity among world leaders, that they may be guided not by greed or corruption, but by a genuine commitment to the common good and the care of our shared home.

And reader, thank you for all the work you do.

Claire O’Donohue is currently serving as a member of the Oxley Passionist Youth Retreat Team. She holds a bachelor’s degree with majors in Visual Arts and Theology.