Most Catholic families are familiar with Church teachings on the sacraments, prayer, and personal virtue – but fewer realize that the Church also has a rich and consistent tradition about how we are called to live in society. This is known as Catholic Social Teaching, and it’s not just for bishops and theologians – it’s for every family.

Rooted in Scripture and tradition, Catholic Social Teaching (CST) gives us a moral framework for building a just society and living as faithful citizens of both Heaven and Earth. It shows us how our faith must inform how we treat others – not just in our homes, but in our workplaces, communities, and political life.

If you’re raising children in today’s world, understanding these principles can help your family navigate complex issues with clarity and compassion.

Here are the seven key themes of Catholic Social Teaching – and why they matter for families.

1. Life and Dignity of the Human Person
Every human being is created in the image of God and has inherent dignity from conception to natural death. This principle undergirds everything else: we are not defined by status, productivity, or popularity – we are loved by God.

What this means for families: Teach your children to respect all life, including the unborn, the elderly, the disabled, the imprisoned, and the poor. Emphasize that everyone matters because everyone is made in God’s image.

2. Call to Family, Community, and Participation
We are not just individuals – we are part of communities. The family is the foundational unit of society, and everyone has a right and duty to participate in the life of their community.

What this means for families: Prioritize family time, nurture strong marriages, and engage in your parish and local community. Show your children how to be active participants in both faith and civic life.

3. Rights and Responsibilities
Every person has basic rights – like the right to life, food, shelter, and religious freedom. But with those rights come responsibilities to others, to the common good, and to the wider world.

What this means for families: Model civic responsibility – vote, stay informed, and advocate for the vulnerable. Teach your children that with blessings come the duty to serve and protect others.

4. Option for the Poor and Vulnerable
We are called to put the needs of the poor and vulnerable first. This doesn’t mean we ignore others – but that we pay special attention to those who are most in need.

What this means for families: Volunteer together. Support ministries that serve the homeless, unborn, refugees, or sick. Help your children understand that real love puts others first, especially those who are hurting.

5. The Dignity of Work and the Rights of Workers
Work is more than a paycheck – it’s a way of participating in God’s creation. People have the right to fair wages, safe working conditions, and the ability to support their families.

What this means for families: Talk about the dignity of all honest work. Pray for those who are unemployed or exploited. Be conscious of where and how the goods you buy are made.

6. Solidarity
We are one human family, regardless of nationality, race, or background. Solidarity means standing with others in their struggles and recognizing that their suffering is our concern.

What this means for families: Expand your children’s awareness of global issues. Teach them to see others – not as problems – but as brothers and sisters in Christ. Encourage empathy and prayer for those far away and close to home.

7. Care for God’s Creation
The world is not ours to abuse – it is a gift entrusted to us. We are called to be good stewards of creation, respecting the earth and preserving it for future generations.

What this means for families: Be mindful of your family’s consumption. Recycle, reduce waste, and care for your home environment. Use nature as a place of prayer and wonder.

Catholic Social Teaching is not a political agenda or a set of abstract theories – it’s the lived application of the Gospel. It’s a way of seeing the world with the heart of Christ and acting with justice and mercy.

For families, it’s an invitation: to raise children who care about others, think critically, live responsibly, and love deeply.

You don’t have to master all seven themes today. Start with a conversation. Pick one principle to explore this week as a family. And remember: when the Church speaks about social issues, it’s not trying to pull us into politics – it’s trying to pull us deeper into love.

If you’d like to learn more, the Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Catholic Church is the place to start!