In an address to the Catholic Association of Italian workers, May 1, 1955, Pope Pius XII proclaimed May 1 (May Day) the feast of St. Joseph the Worker. He thus imparted special religious significance to an observance that had been strictly secular, the proper feast of labour throughout the world. One that had been used by the enemies of the Church to further their evil designs.

Henceforth, May Day is to be “a day of rejoicing” for the concrete and progressive triumph of the Christian ideals of the great family of labour”. Acclaimed in this way by the Christian workers and having received it as it were a Christian baptism, the first of May, far from being a stimulus for discord, hate and violence, is and will be a recurring invitation to modern society to accomplish that which is still lacking for social peace.

Thus, the humble carpenter of Nazareth, who was the support and guardian of the Divine Child and His Virgin Mother on earth, is now honoured above all other men as the pontification of the dignity of the manual labourer and the provident guardian of the worker’s family.

Dear good St. Joseph, humble in spirit, courageous at heart. Please, help all workers to have job satisfaction. Guide those searching for jobs to get better jobs. And help those who for medical reasons cannot work, find resignation in God’s grace in their lives. Bless all employers and protect all employees. Amen

Happy feast day to all WORKERS !!!

Compiled by Elvira Kudiabor