With the Hands of St. Joseph, With the Heart of Pope Francis

As we step into May and celebrate the feast of St. Joseph the Worker, we do so with hearts full of reflection and hope. This year feels especially meaningful. With the passing of Pope Francis, we hold his memory close—particularly his prayer intention for this month: “For working conditions—praying that through work, each person might find fulfilment, families might be sustained in dignity, and that society might be humanized.”

It’s a powerful reminder that work, at its best, is meant to be more than a paycheck. It’s meant to be a source of purpose, stability, and connection—a way we contribute to something greater than ourselves.

Yes, I know the challenges are real! Across the world, people are navigating rising costs, job insecurity, and rapid changes in the way we work. So many are doing essential work—often quietly and without recognition—while trying to support their families and build a future. It’s easy to feel overwhelmed or disheartened when looking at the bigger picture. But even in the face of these realities, I believe there is still so much room for hope.

St. Joseph shows us that dignity in work isn’t found in prestige or power—it’s found in faithfulness, in providing for others, and in using our gifts with care and love. Pope Francis echoed this in his life and leadership, always championing the value of the ordinary worker, the caregiver, the laborer whose efforts sustain the world around them.

And here’s the good news: we’re not powerless. Each of us can do our part—whether it’s supporting policies that protect workers, choosing to honor those whose work makes our lives easier, or simply offering encouragement to someone who needs it. We can lift our voices, our prayers, and our actions to help build a world that sees the person behind the paycheck.

This month, as we remember Pope Francis’s call and celebrate St. Joseph’s quiet strength, let’s keep in mind that work is not just what we do—it’s part of who we are. I believe that work can be something that uplifts, rather than depletes, and when done in love, with dignity and fairness, it has the power to sustain families, lift up communities, and shape a more human society.