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 1st. 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."