The Catholic Approach to Work: Definition

As a follow up to my inaugural post at the Catholic Restorationists entitled The Theology of Work, I would like to explore the Catholic approach to work.

By gaining a Catholic understanding of work and its role in our personal and social lives, we begin to develop a type of theology of work, and in turn apply it back to the work to which we are called in our state of life.

Today, especially within the current post-modern scope, work is no longer a personal venture, but very much contributes to the social and cultural sphere. One does not perform his employment or vocational duties within a bubble or vacuum. Our work is becoming more and more a social force.

As such, we should approach our work as a means to an end, both within the temporal and eternal spheres. Our work is what we do, not who we are. However, as with all actions, whether virtue, vice, or somewhere in the middle, our work can shape who we will become.

Therefore, we should look to the Author of All Work, for whatever "moves, lives, grows, develops, and acts" does so "by means of power drawn from God." [1] Only God creates, in the true sense of the term, but God has allowed Man to be His co-worker and His helpmate in the economy of salvation. God provides the "gifts from which we draw the material for new work", whether they be physical or intellectual gifts.

In times past, the Christian world emphasized the importance of uniting spiritual work and physical work, as seen in the Rule of St. Benedict and the Benedictine motto "Ora et Labora" or "Prayer and Work". Contrast that with today, when work is seen as a necessary evil, to be tolerated for the sake of making a living. As Pope Pius XI stated in Quadragesimo Anno:

While dead matter emerges from the economic workshop ennobled, man, on the other hand, is made worse, and becomes more vulgar.

In reality, work is a call by God to cooperate in the Divine Plan, whether making fruitful the gifts of the Earth or the gifts of the Intellect, Will and Memory. Work is not a punishment, but a great trust that God has shown in Man. In His Wisdom, God has also provided that work help us to develop our spiritual powers to the point of perfection. Patience, Prudence, Steadfastness, Charity, Fortitude -- all of these are exercised on a daily basis and are strengthened by the work we perform. The True value of work is lost when approached only for the sake of material gains.

As a human person, one's mind and will should gain something from the work. Man should take something valuable from his work, because it is his work that is shaping the mind, will, feelings and other characteristics, including the Virtues. His physical and spiritual skills should not be overlooked.

As mentioned earlier, work is a means to both the temporal and eternal ends. Therefore, through his work, every man should aim to achieve (1) the perfecting of things, and (2) the perfecting of the working man.

This is the meaning of work.

This definition of work is the starting point for a restoration of true socio-economic progress. This definition is a starting point for the restoration of human civilization, for moral-religious progress, and for the the culture of the world.

"Work is not only for satisfying the needs of our existence. It is a means by which man knows himself and learns to express himself." [1]

Work is the means by which man is perfected for the eventual enjoyment of Eternal Beatitude.


[1] All You Who Labor: Work and the Sanctification of Daily Life, Stefan Cardinal Wyszynski, Sophia Institute Press, 1995.