Though many Catholics will think of May crownings and the Blessed Virgin Mary as May 1st rolls around, the first day of the month is celebrated as the feast of St. Joseph the Worker. On this day, it is traditional in modern decades for Catholics to have their tools blessed, in remembrance of the foster father of Jesus, and in honor of the work God has called us to do with our hands. (That’s right! This is a relatively new tradition!)

Instituted on May 1st, 1955 by Pope Pius XII, it intentionally coincided with May Day, which is International Workers Day, as a way of combatting the secular understanding of work, particularly during a time when Communism was being exalted in the Soviet Union. It was meant to ensure that we not lose our Christian understanding of the dignity of work. The work we are called to is a way to support one’s family, a means of salvation as a path towards sanctification.

On this feast day, we recall how Adam and Eve were given work to do when placed in the Garden of Eden, how God labored for Creation, and how Jesus would have labored at the trade of his Foster Father, St. Joseph. Joseph understood the dignity of his work, and the importance of working for the sake of God. As May 1st approaches, let us call to mind the example of St. Joseph, and ask for his intercession in our work, particularly the work of the homestead!

The Church has granted us prayers for the blessing of tools on this day, the instruments with which we labor. If you have the opportunity, bring a particular tool (or tools) that you use regularly in your work to Mass on May 1st for a priestly blessing, or call your priest to see if he would be able to come to your homestead to do a blessing of tools. Perhaps you can coordinate with your priest to make this a parish-wide event in future years! But, if you are stumbling on this post with little time to prepare, you can also perform this blessing at home as well. All you need are the prayers and some holy water. Ideally, the head of the household performs the blessings, but if that is not possible, the person with the next most authority would be suitable.

(By nature of our baptism, we have the role of “priest” for our homes, which does allow us to ask for God’s blessing on many of the things of our homes, though it is important to understand what we do and do not have the authority to bless. As lay people, we never make the priestly sign of the cross over things or people outside our family, though we may physically sign our family members with the cross, such as we do at baptism.)

The Prayer of the Tools
All praise and honor to you, Lord Most High who shared with Adam the dignity of work in his naming all of your creatures.

May your name be blessed forever; the name who took great delight in your creation and rested on the seventh day.

Wheel and pulley that helped establish great civilizations, bless the Lord.

Plow that helped nourish humankind, bless the Lord.

Windmill that harnessed the winds, bless the Lord.

Printing press that enriched the world with books, bless the Lord.

Ships and boats that helped to unite the nations with commerce, bless the Lord.

Railroads that opened up vast distances to life and living, bless the Lord

Telegraph and telephone that help join families and friends, bless the Lord.

All cars, buses and airplanes that help to carry travelers, bless the Lord.

All computers that help store and share information, bless the Lord.

Cranes and bulldozers that help nations to build and grow, bless the Lord.

Sewing machines and looms that help clothe humankind, bless the Lord.

Handheld tools—wrench, hammer, saw, nail and pliers, bless the Lord.

Lord God, all times and in all places we have called You Creator. You spoke and all came into being. Grant us—your servants—to see in our work a reflection of your creative hand. Help us to find ways to help those that find their work oppressive, those without work and those who are in charge of workers. Bless and sustain those whose work is dangerous as well as to those whose work brings life and joy. Grant refreshment to those who have retired, and continued enthusiasm to those who have recently entered the workforce. Finally, through the intercession of St. Joseph, grant all teachers success in their endeavors as they make every and all work possible. We ask all of this in the name of Your Son, Jesus. Amen.

Prayer to St. Joseph the Worker

O Glorious St. Joseph, model of all those who are devoted to labor, obtain for me the grace to work conscientiously, putting the call of duty above my natural inclinations, to work with gratitude and joy, in a spirit of penance for the remission of my sins, considering it an honor to employ and develop by means of labor the gifts received from God, to work with order, peace, moderation and patience, without ever shrinking from weariness and difficulties, to work above all with purity of intention and detachment from self, having always death before my eyes and the account that I must render of time lost, of talents wasted, of good omitted, of vain complacency in success, so fatal to the work of God. All for Jesus, all through Mary, all after thine example, O Patriarch, St. Joseph. Such shall be my motto in life and in death. Amen.

Click for the Mass Propers for the feast of St. Joseph the worker.

May you find the dignity God has given you in the labor of your hands, and work towards he sanctification of your lives, by the grace of God, throughout all of your days. May your labor be an example to those around you of the importance of sacrifice and service out of love. St. Joseph, pray for us!

In Christ,
Danielle