Pope Leo XIII is depicted in this official Vatican portrait. He laid the foundation for modern Catholic social teaching with his landmark 1891 encyclical “Rerum Novarum,” addressing the rights and dignity of workers in the face of industrialization. OSV NEWS PHOTO/LIBRARY OF CONGRESS
After Labor Day: Remembering Leo XIII and the legacy of a name
BY DCN. JAY W. VANHOOSIER, OFFICE OF FAITH FORMATION
As Labor Day passes and the rhythms of fall begin, we are offered a chance not just to return to work and routine, but to reflect more deeply on the meaning of labor and the dignity of the worker – especially through the lens of our Catholic faith.
One of the most powerful and enduring contributions to this reflection comes from Pope Leo XIII, whose 1891 encyclical Rerum Novarum remains a cornerstone of Catholic Social Teaching. Writing in the midst of the Industrial Revolution, Leo XIII addressed the harsh conditions faced by laborers, the growing inequality between rich and poor, and the moral dangers of both socialism and unregulated capitalism. He affirmed the rights of workers to fair wages, just working conditions, and the right to organize – long before such ideas were commonly accepted.
But Leo XIII’s insights went even deeper. He emphasized that work is not merely a means of survival or economic activity – it is a fundamental expression of human dignity and participation in God’s creative work. This vision has shaped more than a century of Church teaching, influencing popes from Pius XI to Francis and guiding the Church’s engagement with the social and economic challenges of every age.
That’s why, in my view, it is especially meaningful that our current Holy Father chose the name Leo XIV when he was elected pope. While many popes take names that honor saints or strong leaders, choosing Leo seems to intentionally evoke the bold, socially-engaged papacy of Leo XIII. It suggests a desire to carry forward that legacy of speaking clearly and compassionately on behalf of the poor, the worker, and the vulnerable.
In our own time, when economic uncertainty persists, when workers face new challenges from automation and artificial intelligence, and when the gap between the powerful and the powerless continues to widen, the Church’s voice is still needed. The name Leo XIV may very well be a signpost – pointing us back to the roots of our social teaching and forward to renewed advocacy for justice rooted in the Gospel.
As we move beyond Labor Day and deeper into the year, may we carry with us not only gratitude for the rest we’ve enjoyed, but also a renewed commitment to uphold the dignity of work and the rights of all who labor. May we remember that, in every season, our faith calls us to see the image of God in every worker and to build a society that honors that image.
The legacy of Pope Leo XIII endures. And in the name of Leo XIV, it lives anew.
Dcn. Jay W. VanHoosier is the Director of Faith Formation for the Diocese of Owensboro. For more information visit owensborodiocese.org/faith-formation, email [email protected] or call (270) 852-8324.
Pope Leo XIV waves to the crowd from the popemobile as he departs after celebrating Mass concluding the Jubilee of Youth in Rome’s Tor Vergata neighborhood Aug. 3, 2025. CNS PHOTO/LOLA GOMEZ
Originally printed in the September 2025 issue of The Western Kentucky Catholic.
