The US holiday known as Labor Day – hence the American English spelling – was begun in 1882 in New York City to recognise the contributions of American workers. That purpose still holds true today, but this year, the US bishops are also using the holiday to highlight the hardships many workers face in the modern economy.
“Dignified work reflects that our humanity gives us an active role to play in cultivating a world around us,” said Bishop Mark Seitz of El Paso and Archbishop Borys Gudziak of the Archeparchy of Philadelphia. “Through work, we exercise dominion over how we provide the material needs for ourselves and our families. God desires for us to do more than simply survive but to thrive.
