The Pope on the Sabbath – Feast of Saint Joseph 2006
Three years ago, on the first feast of Saint Joseph that pope Benedict celebrated as Pope, he spoke in his homily on the importance of the Sabbath for the human person. He emphasized the essential nature of rest in the life of modern man who is so often addicted to work. The following is a fragment of the homily.
Work is of primary importance for man's fulfillment and the development of society, and this is why it is necessary that it always be organized and developed in full respect of human dignity and at the service of the common good. At the same time, it is indispensable that man not allow himself to be subjected to work, that he not idolize it, intending to find in it the ultimate and definitive meaning of life. 
In this connection, the invitation contained in the first reading is timely: "Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. Six days you shall labor, and do all your work; but the seventh day is a Sabbath to the Lord your God" (Exodus 20:8-9). The Sabbath is a holy day, namely, consecrated to God, in which man understands better the meaning of his existence and also of his work activity. Therefore, it can be affirmed that the biblical teaching on work finds its coronation in the commandment to rest.
In this regard, the Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church observes opportunely: "To man, bound to the necessity of work, rest opens the perspective of a fuller liberty, that of the eternal Sabbath (cf. Hebrew 4:9-10). Rest allows men to remember and relive God's works, from the creation to the redemption, recognize themselves has His work (cf. Hebrew 2:10) to give thanks to him who is their author for their life and their existence" (No. 258).
Work activity must serve the true good of humanity, allowing "man, as individual and member of society, to cultivate and fulfill his full vocation" ("Gaudium et Spes," No. 35). For this to occur, the necessary technical and professional qualification is not enough; neither is the creation of a just social order attentive to the good of all sufficient. A spirituality must be lived that will help believers to sanctify themselves through their work, imitating St. Joseph, who every day had to provide for the needs of the Holy Family with his hands, and who because of this the Church indicates as patron of workers.
His testimony shows that man is subject and protagonist of work. I would like to entrust to him the young people who have difficulty in entering the world of work, the unemployed and those who suffer the inconveniences due to the widespread occupational crisis. Together with Mary, his spouse, may St. Joseph watch over all workers and obtain serenity and peace for families and for the whole of humanity. Contemplating this great saint, may Christians learn to witness in all labor realms the love of Christ, source of true solidarity and stable peace. Amen!
