Seven themes of Catholic social teaching
USCCB
Begin with human dignity, community, responsibility, care for vulnerable people, work, solidarity, and care for creation.
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SERVE · GROW IN FAITH
What is Catholic social teaching?
Connect faith with human dignity, care for our neighbors, and responsibility for the common good.
Begin here
Catholic social teaching helps us consider how to live the Gospel together in society. It asks how our families, workplaces, communities, and institutions can respect every person’s dignity and serve the common good—the conditions that help people and communities flourish.
The Church’s social tradition brings together respect for human life, participation and responsibility, care for people who are poor or vulnerable, the dignity of work, solidarity, and care for creation. The USCCB’s seven-theme overview is a useful starting point.
Solidarity means recognizing that we belong to one human family and share responsibility for one another. Subsidiarity calls for decisions and support at the appropriate level, respecting the role of people, families, and local communities while providing help when needed.
We can begin with the people near us. Listening carefully, treating workers fairly, caring for someone who is isolated, and using resources responsibly are practical ways to reflect on these principles.
Take one small step
- Read the seven-theme overview and choose one theme.
- Consider where that theme touches your work, home, or community.
- Choose one concrete act of service or responsibility this week.
Pause and reflect: Whose dignity or needs are easiest for you to overlook?
An Augustinian connection
Practical love of neighbor belongs to our Augustinian charism. Oblates are encouraged to bring their gifts into the service of God, the Church, and those around them.
Explore our community serviceChurch teaching: Catechism, paragraphs 1877–1948 and 2401–2463; Compendium, questions 402–414.
KEEP LEARNING
Trusted resources for this topic
Start with one resource. Read, listen, or watch at your own pace, and bring your questions to someone who can guide you.
Compendium of the Catechism
Holy See
Explore Catholic teaching in a concise question-and-answer format. Follow the section headings to the topic you want to understand.
AUGUSTINIAN SPIRITUAL FRIENDSHIP
Could Oblate life be your next step?
Deepen your prayer, grow in community, and share in the monastery’s spiritual life while living your own vocation and responsibilities. Explore the Augustinian Oblate path and begin a conversation with the monastery about discernment and formation.
These learning resources are open to everyone. An inquiry begins a conversation about the Oblate path.