US bishops offer prayers for workers, families on Labour Day

(May 02, 2012) A group of U.S. bishops began their "ad limina" visits to Rome on Labour Day May 1^st. praying for workers and for families. The bishops of Colorado, Arizona, New Mexico and Wyoming concelebrated Mass in the Basilica of St. Mary Major May 1st, marking the beginning of the month traditionally devoted to Mary, the feast of St. Joseph the Worker and the Worker's Day public holiday in Italy and many other countries. Bishop Ricardo Ramirez of Las Cruces, New Mexico, the main celebrant and homilist at the Mass, said that on Labour Day our thoughts turn to workers everywhere. We should pray for workers today, especially those who are having a difficult time in their job, for those who are not paid a just wage and for those single mothers, who try to raise their children by working both outside and inside the home. The bishop also prayed for those who work for 18 hours a day in sweatshops and are paid just a pittance. He said that in many parts of the world it is a terrible time when people work so hard for so little and suffer so many injustices. The prelate invited everyone to pray for them and their families.
In his homily Bishop Ramirez also praised the role of Mary and Joseph as parents who welcomed Jesus into the world and taught him how to be a good Jewish boy. The bishop said the virtue he admired most in Mary and Joseph is meekness. He said "Meekness is not a weakness, rather, it connotes strength and courage because it has to do with surrendering to the will of God."