Laborem Exercens

Laborem Exercens was written by Pope John Paul II 90 years after the flagship social justice encyclical Rerum Novarum, and explains the fundamental and beautiful connection that work has to the whole of man’s existence. Though scientific analysis isn’t the Church’s place, from the very first few pages of Genesis we have received the command from God to “fill the earth and subdue it” (Gen 1:28), which is the basis of the universal calling of all men to work. Through all the advancements of our modern age, the dignity of work must be upheld, as well as the rights of workers, realizing the dignity of the human person.
Work is a fundamental dimension of the human existence, and therefore, strides to ensure that the dignity of work is upheld could be the answer to the social problem. Work is a good thing, an essential and honorable part of humanity from the beginning. It is the way nations are unified, families are provided for and given security, and the way men fulfill ...