A 2025 Labor Day Message from Bishop Erik T. Pohlmeier
My dear brothers and sisters,
On this Labor Day, we pause to give thanks for the gift of work and for the countless men and women whose efforts sustain our communities. Work is never only about production or profit; it is about people. Every task, whether hidden or seen, has the potential to reflect God’s love and build a society marked by justice and compassion.
Scripture reminds us that Jesus himself worked with his hands, living as a carpenter before beginning his public ministry. In his example, we see that ordinary labor holds extraordinary meaning. Through honest work we discover purpose, serve one another, and join in God’s ongoing creation.
The church teaches that workers are not just part of an economic system but children of God, deserving dignity and protection. This means advocating for conditions that respect health, family life, and fair pay. When we honor these rights, we uphold the common good and strengthen the bonds of solidarity.
In choosing the name Leo, our Holy Father signaled a connection to Rerum Novarum, the encyclical of Pope Leo XIII that laid the foundation for modern Catholic social teaching. That landmark teaching affirmed the dignity of workers and the honor of labor as participation in God’s creative plan—a truth the Church continues to proclaim today.
On this day of rest, let us recommit ourselves to ensuring that every person can find dignity in labor and hope in the future.
May the intercession of St. Joseph the Worker inspire us to approach each task with humility, faith, and love.
In Christ,
Most Rev. Erik T. Pohlmeier
Bishop of the Diocese of St. Augustine
