This is a message for the Feast of St Joseph the Worker (May 1) from the Bishops Commission for Social Justice, Mission and Service.

Dear Friends in Christ,

As we celebrate the Feast of St Joseph the Worker, we are once again invited to reflect on the dignity of work and the wellbeing of workers in our society.

For many years, the Catholic Church in Australia has marked this day by placing the Gospel and Catholic Social Teaching in dialogue with the realities of work in our nation. This year, I invite you to reflect with me on a pressing and deeply human concern: the future of work for our young people.

Across Australia, many young people are striving to find their place in a labour market that is increasingly complex and uncertain.

Youth unemployment remains significantly higher than the national average, sitting at around 10.4%. Many more young people experience underemployment — wanting more hours or more secure work than they are able to find.

Recent data from the Australian Youth Barometer paints a sobering picture: 85% of young people experienced financial insecurity in the past year; around two-thirds are underemployed; and nearly half have experienced unemployment within a year. For many, work does not yet provide stability or a clear pathway forward.

This reality affects far more than income. It shapes how young people see themselves and their future. It influences decisions about study, housing, relationships, and family life. It can bring anxiety and uncertainty at a time when hope should be growing.

Work is more than a means of earning a living. It is fundamental to human dignity and participation in society. In the Book of Genesis, we are told that humanity is placed in the garden “to till it and keep it” (Gen 2:15). Work is part of God’s plan for human flourishing.

Research from the Scanlon Foundation Research Institute reminds us that young people experiencing financial hardship often report lower levels of belonging and social connection. When work is insecure or unavailable, the consequences are profound: a weakened sense of belonging, increased stress and mental health challenges, and a diminished sense of hope. These are not only economic concerns — they are human and spiritual concerns. As a Church, we are called to recognise and respond to them.

St Joseph stands before us as a model of faithful work. A carpenter by trade, he provided for his family and quietly fulfilled his vocation with integrity and trust in God. In him, we see that work is not simply a task, but a calling.

Jesus himself was known as “the carpenter’s son” (Matthew 13:55). Through Joseph’s care, he learned not only a trade, but the dignity of labour and the value of responsibility.

The Church has long upheld these truths. In Rerum Novarum, Pope Leo XIII affirmed the dignity of workers and the right to just wages and fair conditions. In our own time, Pope Leo XIV has drawn attention to the challenges of the technological age, especially the rise of artificial intelligence. While these developments offer new opportunities, they also raise important questions about the future of work and the place of the human person within it. We are reminded that the economy must serve the person, not the person the economy.

We are living through a period of rapid transformation. Artificial intelligence and new technologies are reshaping industries and redefining the nature of work. Many young people are entering jobs that are casual or short-term, digitally managed, and uncertain in their long-term prospects.

While innovation can bring many benefits, it must not come at the expense of dignity. We must ask: does this work provide stability? Does it respect the person? Does it allow young people to build a future? Secure and meaningful work is essential. Without it, individuals struggle to flourish and to participate fully in society.

In this changing environment, it is vital that we recognise and promote diverse pathways into work. Apprenticeships, trades, and technical vocations are essential to our society and deserve greater recognition and support.

St Joseph himself was a tradesman. His work was not secondary — it was central to his vocation and his service to God. We must encourage young people to pursue pathways that reflect their gifts and aspirations, and ensure these pathways are accessible, supported, and respected.

St Joseph was also a mentor. He accompanied Jesus with patience, wisdom, and quiet strength, showing us the importance of guidance and formation.

Today, young people need mentors in families, workplaces, parishes, and communities — people who will walk alongside them, offering encouragement and direction. This is a call to intergenerational solidarity: to stand with young people, not apart from them.

As the world of work changes, so too must our understanding of what is needed to flourish within it. Skills are important, but they are not enough. Young people also need formation in values — integrity, responsibility, compassion, and a commitment to the common good.

Workplaces must be places of respect and fairness, where the dignity of every person is upheld. As a Church, we are called to contribute to this formation, shaping not only capable workers, but people of character.

The challenges facing young people today require a shared response. Employers are called to provide fair wages, secure conditions, and meaningful opportunities. Governments are called to ensure policies that protect workers and promote participation.

Communities and parishes are called to accompany young people with care and encouragement. Families are called to nurture hope, resilience, and purpose. Together, we can build a society where work truly reflects the dignity of every person.

Despite these challenges, we remain a people of hope. Young people bring energy, creativity, and a deep desire to contribute. They are not only the future — they are already shaping the present.

On this Feast of St Joseph the Worker, let us pray for young people seeking work, for those experiencing insecurity or uncertainty, and for those who feel excluded or discouraged. May they know their dignity, their worth, and their place in our community.

St Joseph teaches us that work, when lived with faith and integrity, becomes a path to holiness. May he guide and protect all workers, especially our young people.

And may we, as a community of faith, commit ourselves to building a future of work that is just, dignified, and full of hope.

Bishops Commission for Social Justice, Mission and Service chair, Bishop Tim Harris

(Image: Wikimedia Commons)