Jesus calls us to love one another, and in answering this call we build up the Kingdom of God here on Earth. Our Catholic social teaching is a response to that call. Rooted in the Hebrew prophets who announced God's special love for the poor and called God's people to a covenant of love and justice, it is a teaching founded on the life and words of Jesus Christ, who came "to bring glad tidings to the poor . . . liberty to captives . . . recovery of sight to the blind"(Lk 4:18-19), and who identified himself with "the least of these," the hungry and the stranger (cf. Mt 25:45). Catholic social teaching is built on a commitment to the poor that we find in the Gospel. To learn more, visit USCCB  Seven Themes of Catholic Social Teaching.
The 7 themes of Catholic social teaching are:
  • Life and Dignity of the Human Person
  • Call to Family, Community, and Participation 
  • Rights and Responsibilities (under construction)
  • Option for the Poor and the Vulnerable (under construction)
  • The Dignity of Work and the Rights of Workers (under construction)
  • Solidarity
  • Care for God's Creation (under construction)

Resources

Examination of Conscience in Light of Catholic Social Teaching (USCCB) 
Use this resource to do, or to facilitate, an examination of conscience based on each of the principles of Catholic Social Teaching.​

Scripture Vigil on the 7 Themes of Catholic Social Teaching  (USCCB)
Use this resource for a prayer reflection on Sacred Scripture and the 7 Themes of Catholic Social Teaching.

Explanation of the 7 Themes of Catholic Social Teaching (Catholic Relief Services)
CST 101 handout that defines the 7 themes of Catholic Social Teaching. 
The 7 themes of CST handout for children
7 Themes in Memes (Buzzfeed and #ProjectCST) FUN explanation of the 7 themes of Catholic Social Teaching done in memes. 
What Exactly is Catholic Social Teaching? Comprehensive, integrated look at the Church's social doctrine (OSV) 
This article by Emily Stimpson explores the Church's womb to tomb approach to life, along with why the Church seems on both sides of our political lines - hint: it has nothing to do with politics. It's all about Jesus!
MORE RESOURCES