The Pope of Labor, Pope Leo XIII

   Tomorrow is Labor Day, when many workers are given the day off (We will have our regular Noon Mass tomorrow though, and we welcome back our old friend and former 
Parochial Vicar, Fr. Tom Kennedy to celebrate the Mass.)
   What should Catholics think about Labor Day, or the dignity of Work, and what are our theological positions regarding labor itself?
   His Holiness Pope Leo XIII has affectionately been remembered as the “Pope of Labor” although by rights ought to be known for equally important accomplishments. The website, “The Legacy of Pope Leo XIII” is established to share information about this important, but nearly forgotten Pontiff.
   Pope Leo XIII reigned from February 20, 1878 to July 20, 1903, he is most admired for a great many reasons, perhaps most especially for his authorship of the Prayer to St. Michael (which we pray at the end of every Mass), his eleven encyclicals on the Rosary and on Catholic Social teaching. Pope Leo XIII promoted Marian devotion - especially through recitation of the Rosary as a powerful antidote to the Devil’s attacks on the Church, the family, and society. He was well aware of the dangers posed by trends in modern thought. He foresaw many social evils that would come to pass as a result of these. He never tired of encouraging political and moral leaders to live and rule in a Christian way. As an intellectual and spiritual leader, he was able to see deeply into the reality of the world, always acutely aware of the invisible yet very real battle being waged against the soul of each person and against communities.
   The interesting, (to me, at least!) “1000 Years of Economy” website reminds us that in 1891, Pope Leo XIII issued the first encyclical relating to Catholic doctrine on social and economic issues. Its name, Rerum novarum, means “Of new things” and the document was a response to the industrial revolution that had been taking place since the 18th century, and the emergence of liberal, and subsequently Marxist, economic theories.
   Leo XIII outlined a third way, in between these two theories, which asserted workers’ rights, but opposed any notion of class struggle. Catholic doctrine reiterated the basic economic principles of Christianity, and notably affirmed the following: the right of property ownership, tempered by the duty to provide for the common good and to use that property for the benefit of others; a fair wage; charity towards the poor; freedom of association for workers. State intervention was permitted but had to follow the principle of subsidiarity, i.e. it should be restricted to matters that could not be settled by other competent authorities (family, associations, unions, local authorities).
   Some problems could only be dealt with at international level, by the competent economic and social authorities. Since 1891, successive popes have published various updates to the Rerum novarum, dealing with issues such as international debt, the consequences of the collapse of Communism, cross-border migration and financial crises.
   Catholic Social teaching is a part of the rich fabric of the Roman Catholic Church. Why not pause at your Labor Day celebration tomorrow (or today if you are attending the K of C “Taco and Hotdogs festivities” in the parish hall) to give thanks for employment for those who have work, for a speedy resolution to those looking for employment, and for our Catholic Church, who regards each of her children as a unique soul to be honored and respected by all.
 
Faithfully, Your friend and Pastor,
Fr. Christopher C. Stainbrook, KHS