In former times the Church christened pagan festivals, making use of dates and ceremonies and endowing them with a Christian significance. In accordance with this tradition she has placed the civil observance of Labor Day under the powerful patronage of St. Joseph, the humble workman whom God chose to watch over the childhood of the Incarnate Word. And what better patron could there be than he who by his daily work gave thanks to God the Father by the Lord Jesus, his obedient apprentice who was known as the carpenter’s son? May St. Joseph watch over and protect this working world whose lot he once shared; may he guide and foster its efforts to establish in the world justice and charity, under the law of love, the “great commandment” given us by our Lord.