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Encyclicals of Pope John Paul II
Laborem Exercens: Encyclical Letter on Human Work
The Holy Father's third encyclical focuses on "the dignity and rights of those who work."
Paperback
First published January 1, 1981
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About the author
Pope John Paul II
1,086 books628 followersSaint Pope John Paul II (Latin: Ioannes Paulus II), born Karol Józef Wojtyła was elected Pope at the Conclave of 16 October 1978, and he took the name of John Paul II. On 22 October, the Lord's Day, he solemnly inaugurated his Petrine ministry as the 263rd successor to the Apostle. His pontificate, one of the longest in the history of the Church, lasted nearly 27 years.
Driven by his pastoral solicitude for all Churches and by a sense of openness and charity to the entire human race, John Paul II exercised the Petrine ministry with a tireless missionary spirit, dedicating it all his energy. He made 104 pastoral visits outside Italy and 146 within Italy. As bishop of Rome he visited 317 of the city's 333 parishes.
He had more meetings than any of his predecessors with the People of God and the leaders of Nations. More than 17,600,000 pilgrims participated in the General Audiences held on Wednesdays (more than 1160), not counting other special audiences and religious ceremonies [more than 8 million pilgrims during the Great Jubilee of the Year 2000 alone], and the millions of faithful he met during pastoral visits in Italy and throughout the world. We must also remember the numerous government personalities he encountered during 38 official visits, 738 audiences and meetings held with Heads of State, and 246 audiences and meetings with Prime Ministers.
His love for young people brought him to establish the World Youth Days. The 19 WYDs celebrated during his pontificate brought together millions of young people from all over the world. At the same time his care for the family was expressed in the World Meetings of Families, which he initiated in 1994. John Paul II successfully encouraged dialogue with the Jews and with the representatives of other religions, whom he several times invited to prayer meetings for peace, especially in Assisi.
Under his guidance the Church prepared herself for the third millennium and celebrated the Great Jubilee of the year 2000 in accordance with the instructions given in the Apostolic Letter Tertio Millennio adveniente. The Church then faced the new epoch, receiving his instructions in the Apostolic Letter Novo Millennio ineunte, in which he indicated to the faithful their future path.
With the Year of the Redemption, the Marian Year and the Year of the Eucharist, he promoted the spiritual renewal of the Church. He gave an extraordinary impetus to Canonizations and Beatifications, focusing on countless examples of holiness as an incentive for the people of our time. He celebrated 147 beatification ceremonies during which he proclaimed 1,338 Blesseds; and 51 canonizations for a total of 482 saints. He made Thérèse of the Child Jesus a Doctor of the Church.
He considerably expanded the College of Cardinals, creating 231 Cardinals (plus one in pectore) in 9 consistories. He also called six full meetings of the College of Cardinals. His most important Documents include 14 Encyclicals, 15 Apostolic Exhortations, 11 Apostolic Constitutions, 45 Apostolic Letters. He promulgated the Catechism of the Catholic Church in the light of Tradition as authoritatively interpreted by the Second Vatican Council. He also reformed the Eastern and Western Codes of Canon Law, created new Institutions and reorganized the Roman Curia.
In the light of Christ risen from the dead, on 2 April 2005 at 9.37 p.m., while Saturday was drawing to a close and the Lord's Day was already beginning, the Octave of Easter and Divine Mercy Sunday, the Church's beloved Pastor, John Paul II, departed this world for the Father. On April 1, 2011, he was raised to the glory of the altars and on April 27, 2014 canonized.
Driven by his pastoral solicitude for all Churches and by a sense of openness and charity to the entire human race, John Paul II exercised the Petrine ministry with a tireless missionary spirit, dedicating it all his energy. He made 104 pastoral visits outside Italy and 146 within Italy. As bishop of Rome he visited 317 of the city's 333 parishes.
He had more meetings than any of his predecessors with the People of God and the leaders of Nations. More than 17,600,000 pilgrims participated in the General Audiences held on Wednesdays (more than 1160), not counting other special audiences and religious ceremonies [more than 8 million pilgrims during the Great Jubilee of the Year 2000 alone], and the millions of faithful he met during pastoral visits in Italy and throughout the world. We must also remember the numerous government personalities he encountered during 38 official visits, 738 audiences and meetings held with Heads of State, and 246 audiences and meetings with Prime Ministers.
His love for young people brought him to establish the World Youth Days. The 19 WYDs celebrated during his pontificate brought together millions of young people from all over the world. At the same time his care for the family was expressed in the World Meetings of Families, which he initiated in 1994. John Paul II successfully encouraged dialogue with the Jews and with the representatives of other religions, whom he several times invited to prayer meetings for peace, especially in Assisi.
Under his guidance the Church prepared herself for the third millennium and celebrated the Great Jubilee of the year 2000 in accordance with the instructions given in the Apostolic Letter Tertio Millennio adveniente. The Church then faced the new epoch, receiving his instructions in the Apostolic Letter Novo Millennio ineunte, in which he indicated to the faithful their future path.
With the Year of the Redemption, the Marian Year and the Year of the Eucharist, he promoted the spiritual renewal of the Church. He gave an extraordinary impetus to Canonizations and Beatifications, focusing on countless examples of holiness as an incentive for the people of our time. He celebrated 147 beatification ceremonies during which he proclaimed 1,338 Blesseds; and 51 canonizations for a total of 482 saints. He made Thérèse of the Child Jesus a Doctor of the Church.
He considerably expanded the College of Cardinals, creating 231 Cardinals (plus one in pectore) in 9 consistories. He also called six full meetings of the College of Cardinals. His most important Documents include 14 Encyclicals, 15 Apostolic Exhortations, 11 Apostolic Constitutions, 45 Apostolic Letters. He promulgated the Catechism of the Catholic Church in the light of Tradition as authoritatively interpreted by the Second Vatican Council. He also reformed the Eastern and Western Codes of Canon Law, created new Institutions and reorganized the Roman Curia.
In the light of Christ risen from the dead, on 2 April 2005 at 9.37 p.m., while Saturday was drawing to a close and the Lord's Day was already beginning, the Octave of Easter and Divine Mercy Sunday, the Church's beloved Pastor, John Paul II, departed this world for the Father. On April 1, 2011, he was raised to the glory of the altars and on April 27, 2014 canonized.
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
May 12, 2024
El nivel de análisis, observación y disección de la condición del trabajador de San Juan Pablo II es, en una palabra, sublime. Manejando su pluma a la perfección, desglosa una cantidad impresionante de temas con suma delicadeza, con una visión incluso profética al analizar diversos problemas que no se volverían relevantes en la vida ordinaria hasta varios años después. Me hubiera gustado haberlo leído a la luz de otros documentos como 'Quadragesimo Anno', 'Mater et Magistra' o 'Gaudium et Spes', pero aún así estoy profundamente impresionado por la asertividad del pensamiento de Juan Pablo II.
December 19, 2020
Formative read. Nothing terribly surprising - there are issues both with socialism and unbridled capitalism.
JPII writing skills include using ten words when one will do. Pretty heady in parts.
JPII writing skills include using ten words when one will do. Pretty heady in parts.
May 17, 2023
5/5 ⭐
“Todo lo que está contenido en el concepto de «capital» —en sentido restringido— es solamente un conjunto de cosas. El hombre como sujeto del trabajo, e independientemente del trabajo que realiza, el hombre, él solo, es una persona. Esta verdad contiene en sí consecuencias importantes y decisivas.”
👷Me vi obligada a suspender por un par de horas la lectura de “La Reina Carlota” de Julia Quinn (que estaba disfrutando) por una noticia inesperada y sabiendo que no me iba a concentrar decidí leer ésta encíclica. Lo leí mientras hacía una adoración eucarística por una persona que estaba ingresada en una operación quirúrgica surgida de forma inesperada.
🧑🏭En español significa “Sobre el trabajo humano” presentado al mundo en el año 1981, tercero del Pontificado de Juan Pablo II; Al final de este documento, su Santidad Juan Pablo II dice “que había preparado para que fuese publicado el día 15 de mayo pasado, con ocasión del 90 aniversario de la Encíclica Rerum Novarum, he podido revisarlo definitivamente sólo después de mi permanencia en el hospital.” Investigando en google descubro que el 13 de mayo sufrió el famoso intento de asesinato.
🧑🔬A partir de la introducción hace un análisis profundo de lo que implica el trabajo para la vida del hombre influenciado por los cambios e influencias nuevas tecnológicas que acarrean una reorganización social y junto a ello algunas desgracias como el desempleo. Cito: “la introducción generalizada de la automatización en muchos campos de la producción, el aumento del coste de la energía y de las materias básicas; la creciente toma de conciencia de la limitación del patrimonio natural y de su insoportable contaminación; la aparición en la escena política de pueblos que, tras siglos de sumisión, reclaman su legítimo puesto entre las naciones y en las decisiones internacionales.”
🧑🌾Parte de la dolorosa experiencia de las dos grandes guerras mundiales, mostrando que la cuestión social debe ser tratada en su dimensión integral y compleja. Es una crítica al comunismo y al capitalismo cuando refiere a que existe siempre, está latente el peligro de considerar el trabajo como una anónima «fuerza» necesaria para la producción.
🧑⚕️Estructurado en cinco capítulos ésta encíclica y mencionando mucho un nuevo aniversario de la Encíclica Rerum Novarum que refiere a las condiciones de los obreros promulgada en el año 1891, parte de “En el comienzo mismo del trabajo humano se encuentra el misterio de la creación”; Esta afirmación indicada como punto de partida, constituye el hilo conductor del documento y su concepto de hombre y de trabajo parte de un análisis de la época moderna a partir de los grandes cambios de carácter económico, social, histórico, teológico, antropológico, entre otros.
🧑🏭Es una encíclica que va muy profundo en su concepto de trabajo, diría que va al corazón de lo que significa ésta palabra. Juan Pablo II busca mostrar cómo el socialismo y el capitalismo tratan al trabajador: Los primeros como instrumentos de producción y no como personas-sujetos de trabajo. Y los segundos, que se refiere al liberalismo, como mercancía sujeta al mercado de la oferta y la demanda. Con la proletarización de los intelectuales y su desempleo, se incrementa el problema social.
🧑⚖️Y al final se enfoca en una espiritualidad del trabajo donde aconseja (cito) “El hombre tiene que imitar a Dios tanto trabajando como descansando, dado que Dios mismo ha querido presentarle la propia obra creadora bajo la forma del trabajo y del reposo.”
⛏️Recomiendo la lectura de esta encíclica a nuestros políticos de turno, a aquellos “patrones”, empresarios que explotan al trabajador y por supuestos a nuestros (mafiosos) sindicalistas. Ésta encíclica no deja de perder relevancia, al contrario, refleja mucho de nuestra triste realidad no solo en argentina sino en latinoamérica, cuanto más pasan los años. No voy a negar que cuando lo leía por momentos lo sentía una utopía y cierta ingenuidad de nuestro querido Juan Pablo II.
“Todo lo que está contenido en el concepto de «capital» —en sentido restringido— es solamente un conjunto de cosas. El hombre como sujeto del trabajo, e independientemente del trabajo que realiza, el hombre, él solo, es una persona. Esta verdad contiene en sí consecuencias importantes y decisivas.”
👷Me vi obligada a suspender por un par de horas la lectura de “La Reina Carlota” de Julia Quinn (que estaba disfrutando) por una noticia inesperada y sabiendo que no me iba a concentrar decidí leer ésta encíclica. Lo leí mientras hacía una adoración eucarística por una persona que estaba ingresada en una operación quirúrgica surgida de forma inesperada.
🧑🏭En español significa “Sobre el trabajo humano” presentado al mundo en el año 1981, tercero del Pontificado de Juan Pablo II; Al final de este documento, su Santidad Juan Pablo II dice “que había preparado para que fuese publicado el día 15 de mayo pasado, con ocasión del 90 aniversario de la Encíclica Rerum Novarum, he podido revisarlo definitivamente sólo después de mi permanencia en el hospital.” Investigando en google descubro que el 13 de mayo sufrió el famoso intento de asesinato.
🧑🔬A partir de la introducción hace un análisis profundo de lo que implica el trabajo para la vida del hombre influenciado por los cambios e influencias nuevas tecnológicas que acarrean una reorganización social y junto a ello algunas desgracias como el desempleo. Cito: “la introducción generalizada de la automatización en muchos campos de la producción, el aumento del coste de la energía y de las materias básicas; la creciente toma de conciencia de la limitación del patrimonio natural y de su insoportable contaminación; la aparición en la escena política de pueblos que, tras siglos de sumisión, reclaman su legítimo puesto entre las naciones y en las decisiones internacionales.”
🧑🌾Parte de la dolorosa experiencia de las dos grandes guerras mundiales, mostrando que la cuestión social debe ser tratada en su dimensión integral y compleja. Es una crítica al comunismo y al capitalismo cuando refiere a que existe siempre, está latente el peligro de considerar el trabajo como una anónima «fuerza» necesaria para la producción.
🧑⚕️Estructurado en cinco capítulos ésta encíclica y mencionando mucho un nuevo aniversario de la Encíclica Rerum Novarum que refiere a las condiciones de los obreros promulgada en el año 1891, parte de “En el comienzo mismo del trabajo humano se encuentra el misterio de la creación”; Esta afirmación indicada como punto de partida, constituye el hilo conductor del documento y su concepto de hombre y de trabajo parte de un análisis de la época moderna a partir de los grandes cambios de carácter económico, social, histórico, teológico, antropológico, entre otros.
🧑🏭Es una encíclica que va muy profundo en su concepto de trabajo, diría que va al corazón de lo que significa ésta palabra. Juan Pablo II busca mostrar cómo el socialismo y el capitalismo tratan al trabajador: Los primeros como instrumentos de producción y no como personas-sujetos de trabajo. Y los segundos, que se refiere al liberalismo, como mercancía sujeta al mercado de la oferta y la demanda. Con la proletarización de los intelectuales y su desempleo, se incrementa el problema social.
🧑⚖️Y al final se enfoca en una espiritualidad del trabajo donde aconseja (cito) “El hombre tiene que imitar a Dios tanto trabajando como descansando, dado que Dios mismo ha querido presentarle la propia obra creadora bajo la forma del trabajo y del reposo.”
⛏️Recomiendo la lectura de esta encíclica a nuestros políticos de turno, a aquellos “patrones”, empresarios que explotan al trabajador y por supuestos a nuestros (mafiosos) sindicalistas. Ésta encíclica no deja de perder relevancia, al contrario, refleja mucho de nuestra triste realidad no solo en argentina sino en latinoamérica, cuanto más pasan los años. No voy a negar que cuando lo leía por momentos lo sentía una utopía y cierta ingenuidad de nuestro querido Juan Pablo II.
July 6, 2025
Seguimos completando lecturas a medias. Y, de nuevo, haré luego la reseña.
April 7, 2023
Un excelente documento de SS Juan Pablo II en dónde analiza la problemática del trabajo como cuestión social.
Plantea una postura basada en la crítica al comunismo y al capitalismo, centrándose en un pilar ético sobre el fin del hombre como plan de Dios y perfeccionamiento del prójimo.
Recomiendo la lectura de esta encíclica que no deja de perder relevancia a medida que pasan los años.
Plantea una postura basada en la crítica al comunismo y al capitalismo, centrándose en un pilar ético sobre el fin del hombre como plan de Dios y perfeccionamiento del prójimo.
Recomiendo la lectura de esta encíclica que no deja de perder relevancia a medida que pasan los años.
January 27, 2022
In this encyclical from 1981, Pope John Paul II advances what I would call some Christian "guidelines" for theological reflections on work and, indeed, a spirituality of work. In these brief guidelines, JP II is setting up the boundaries for how Christians can regard the meaning of their work and their role as workers. In this he relies upon Catholic social teaching (especially from "Rerum Novarum," Pope Leo XIII's 1891 encyclical on working conditions and social righteousness), the documents of Vatican II (especially "Gaudium et Spes"), and his own "personalist" philosophizing (as JP II - Karol Wojtyla - was an accomplished professor of philosophy in Poland after World War II).
What I especially appreciated from this encyclical is JP II's insistence that the subjective aspect of work, that is, the worker himself or herself, is determinative of work's value; in other words, labor is greater than capital - infinitely greater, for each of us is made in the image of God, the First Creator, and in our creating we participate in God's working and demonstrate the God-image within us. As part of this, JP II also defends the dignity of all work, however "low" it may be in popular society. This also leads him to point out that those with any kind of disabilities deserve the chance to exercise their right to work, and that employers and governments must make every effort to remove obstacles in the way.
In a world where governments are seriously contemplating a universal wage to give to subjects, it's interesting to read JP II's thoughts on unemployment and underemployment. "The role of the agents included under the title of indirect employer is to act against unemployment, which in all cases is an evil, and which, when it reaches a certain level, can become a real social disaster." It's a social disaster not because people have no money (capital is always less than the dignity of the laborer himself or herself), but because in work we humans fulfill our original calling in the Garden, and we have the opportunity through our work to love neighbor, exercise dominion over the earth, and prepare for the coming Kingdom. The meaning of work stretches back to the distant past, embraces present realities, and points ahead to the future. Work, as JP II points out, "transforms nature and fulfills human nature." This fulfillment of human nature is often subordinated in contemporary discussions where lawmakers just believe that people want money and not work.
It's also worth noting that in the tradition of Catholic social teaching, there is really nothing that is off-limits. The pope writes at length on the importance of labor unions, strikes, fair pay, safety in the workplace, international laws for workers, etc. Even though this is a theological work, JP II continually has his eyes on practical measures throughout it.
What I especially appreciated from this encyclical is JP II's insistence that the subjective aspect of work, that is, the worker himself or herself, is determinative of work's value; in other words, labor is greater than capital - infinitely greater, for each of us is made in the image of God, the First Creator, and in our creating we participate in God's working and demonstrate the God-image within us. As part of this, JP II also defends the dignity of all work, however "low" it may be in popular society. This also leads him to point out that those with any kind of disabilities deserve the chance to exercise their right to work, and that employers and governments must make every effort to remove obstacles in the way.
In a world where governments are seriously contemplating a universal wage to give to subjects, it's interesting to read JP II's thoughts on unemployment and underemployment. "The role of the agents included under the title of indirect employer is to act against unemployment, which in all cases is an evil, and which, when it reaches a certain level, can become a real social disaster." It's a social disaster not because people have no money (capital is always less than the dignity of the laborer himself or herself), but because in work we humans fulfill our original calling in the Garden, and we have the opportunity through our work to love neighbor, exercise dominion over the earth, and prepare for the coming Kingdom. The meaning of work stretches back to the distant past, embraces present realities, and points ahead to the future. Work, as JP II points out, "transforms nature and fulfills human nature." This fulfillment of human nature is often subordinated in contemporary discussions where lawmakers just believe that people want money and not work.
It's also worth noting that in the tradition of Catholic social teaching, there is really nothing that is off-limits. The pope writes at length on the importance of labor unions, strikes, fair pay, safety in the workplace, international laws for workers, etc. Even though this is a theological work, JP II continually has his eyes on practical measures throughout it.
October 2, 2020
This was a pretty academic read for me - a little wordy & over my head for the majority. But the final fourth of the document was wonderful. I especially liked the points about working women. Also the constant reminder that capital serves persons, not the other way around.
Overall, happy to have finally read something by JP2.
Overall, happy to have finally read something by JP2.
July 13, 2019
Another excellent exegesis. Pope St. John Paul II has become such a great source of strength and wisdom in my life. I only began to read him less than a year ago. The inspiration that his genius mind lends me, and strengthening of my Faith and devotion through his teaching is priceless.
May 6, 2020
Very informative and interesting. It’s worth a read, though it can drag at moments so perhaps take it in bits.
May 9, 2020
Incredible reflection and teaching on human work. Stands up nearly 40 years after its publication.
October 27, 2022
Nothing wrong with the content, of course, but JPII's writing style is, as is commonly known, so heavy.
August 29, 2024
Really interesting criticism of both Capitalism and Communism, offering good guidance for how work should be treated and how people should be respected.
February 15, 2025
is it bad to give 3 stars to the Pope?
… good job, Pope?
… good job, Pope?
November 19, 2012
At the conclusion, Pope John Paul II gives the best summary of this encyclical:
"In these present reflections devoted to human work we have tried to emphasize everything that seemed essential to it, since it is through man's labor that not only 'the fruits of our activity' but also 'human dignity, brotherhood and freedom' must increase on earth."
As with every encyclical I've read, the Holy Father is laying out a basic guideline. This includes a biblical and, by extension, catechical definition of work, as well as a framework for the individual, society, and state to follow.
The book makes for dry reading, but is very helpful to form your conscience when facing problems of political complexities associated with work.
"In these present reflections devoted to human work we have tried to emphasize everything that seemed essential to it, since it is through man's labor that not only 'the fruits of our activity' but also 'human dignity, brotherhood and freedom' must increase on earth."
As with every encyclical I've read, the Holy Father is laying out a basic guideline. This includes a biblical and, by extension, catechical definition of work, as well as a framework for the individual, society, and state to follow.
The book makes for dry reading, but is very helpful to form your conscience when facing problems of political complexities associated with work.
March 30, 2010
Hopefully I'll have time for a proper review later. For now, I'll say, a few weak points, question marks, and troubling omissions, but on the whole a wise, godly, and insightful criticism of modern capitalism and proposal for a more just and godly approach to economic life.
I'd really like to hear Christian conservatives stop making snide remarks about how "The Catholic Church doesn't know anything about economics," and actually engage with this encyclical (and others in the Catholic Social Teaching tradition) in detail, showing how they fail on theological and rational grounds. (If anyone wants to recommend me books or articles that do that, that'd be great.)
I'd really like to hear Christian conservatives stop making snide remarks about how "The Catholic Church doesn't know anything about economics," and actually engage with this encyclical (and others in the Catholic Social Teaching tradition) in detail, showing how they fail on theological and rational grounds. (If anyone wants to recommend me books or articles that do that, that'd be great.)
June 22, 2007
Buku ini penuh dengan spirit perubahan. Menaruh penghargaan yang tinggi pada kerja-kerja manusia. Sekaligus merupakan keprihatinan atas ketidakmampuan masyarakat menempatkan kerja manusia sehingga menimbulkan penderitan umat manusia
October 4, 2010
Not too bad. I will have to read it several more times at least before I can really dig deep into it for didactic purposes. I tell you what, though, that John Paul II loved italicized words and didn't like Communism.
December 13, 2015
Just listen and learn.
Humans yearn to work, and through work, humans can see His Face.
Humans yearn to work, and through work, humans can see His Face.
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews