Next May 1 we will celebrate the feast of San José Obrero. On this occasion, I cordially greet all the workers of the Diocese and, above all, those who lack work or have jobs in precarious conditions. For everyone, my solidarity and closeness.
The Workers’ Pastoral continues to be necessary in the Church. The world of work today shows a great variety of situations. It serves the world of industry and services, rural workers or migrants who work among us. Made up of permanent or temporary workers, long-term unemployed, intermittent or part-time contracts or interns. In addition, many professionals, civil servants and self-employed workers are part of the world of work, who carry out their work with many difficulties. Many young people also belong to it who do not find a job in line with their preparation, with low salaries and job insecurity, all of which prevents them from planning a future project and starting a family.
Pope Francis continues to remind us that “the great issue is work.” (Fratelli tutti 162), following in the wake of his predecessors. Thus, Saint John Paul II (Address 15-1-1993), said: «One of the most important contents of the New Evangelization is constituted by the announcement of the «Gospel of Work» (…) This supposes an intense and dynamic pastoral of workers, as necessary today, as in the past, with respect to which, in some aspects, it has become even more difficult. “The Church must always seek new forms and new methods, without giving in to discouragement.”
The Social Doctrine of the Church, which uniquely illuminates this pastoral, reminds us of the need to put the human dimension of work at the foreground and to protect the dignity of the person, since the ultimate reference of economic life can only be man, created in the image and likeness of God. By working the work of creation is developed. Hence the enormous dignity of work, which should always be an occasion for the growth of individuals and society, and for the development of personal talents, to put them at the service of the common good, in a spirit of justice and solidarity.
Thank you very much to all of you who are moved by the desire to evangelize the world of work who, from deep communion with Jesus Christ and fidelity to workers, proclaim “the Gospel of work.” You evangelize your colleagues by being yeast that transforms, light and salt in the workplace and you carry out a Christian discernment of the events that affect workers, raising your voice in situations of injustice or exploitation and, above all, you announce the living Jesus Christ. with the word and with the luminous testimony of your own life. For all of you who promote the Worker Pastoral in the diocese, my fraternal and grateful greeting, on this day of Saint Joseph the Worker.
