“As far as the Church is concerned, the social message of the Gospel must not be considered a theory, but above all else a basis and a motivation for action.”

Pope Saint John Paul II, 1991, The Hundredth Year #57

What is Catholic Social Teaching?

Pope Francis added Laudato Si’, his encyclical letter on care for our common home, to the body of the Church’s social teaching. Rooted in Scripture, this body of Church teaching on social, economic, political and cultural issues has been called the best kept secret of the Catholic Church. Modern Catholic Social Teaching (CST) began in 1891 with Pope Leo XIII’s encyclical, Rerum Novarum (Of New Things), which addressed the conditions and rights of workers during the Industrial Revolution. Since then, Church leaders have continued to build upon CST in documents with key themes to address new challenges over the years and to shape the Church’s response. 

Learn more about Catholic Social Teaching and explore ways to put into action: 

1. Participate in our Coffee, Video and Conversation Series on Catholic Social Teaching:  Every second Sunday of the month from January to April (Jan 11, Feb 8, Mar 8, Apr 12) bring your coffee and join Creation Care Ministry in the Friars’ Lounge where we will watch a short video and host a conversation circle on Catholic Social Teaching after the 10 AM mass and ending by noon. Please see the poster for details.  

2. Resources from the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB):

• Seven Themes of Catholic Social Teaching Two-Page Resource PDF;

• The Seven Themes of Catholic Social Teaching for Children PDF;

• Two Feet of Love in Action resource page and handout PDF;

• Foundational Catholic Social Teaching Documents;

• Catholic Social Teaching Prayer Cards;

• Overview and more resources from the USCCB.

3. Watch the first 2 videos used in our Catholic Social Teaching series:

• Both are by Fr. Casey Cole, OFM, a Franciscan priest, author, speaker, and online evangelist with a popular YouTube channel Breaking in the Habit;

The first provides a Complete History of Catholic Social Doctrine (13 minutes) and the second explains Laudato Si’, Pope Francis’ letter on care for our common home (10 minutes). 

4. Find ways to live out Catholic Social Teaching: 

• Read this Catholic International University blog to find suggestions for Incorporating Catholic Social Teaching Into Your Everyday Life.

• On the World Day of the Poor in November 2025, the Canadian Catholic Bishops released a pastoral letter, Our Daily Bread: Food Security and the Call to Solidarity, which “urges Canadian Catholics to consider practical ways they can live in solidarity with those who lack food as well as to ensure that God’s abundant gifts reach all those in need”. Read the letter and its questions for consideration on ways to respond here.

• St. Joan of Arc parishioners—consider joining Creation Care Ministry or Development and Peace, whose work is rooted in Catholic Social Teaching. New members are welcome!