About the Guild
A Catholic fraternal organization for tradesmen at Saint Mary of Victories in St. Louis, consecrated to St. Joseph the Worker and St. Louis IX.
Who We Are
- Mission Statement
- We exist to build a brotherhood where Catholic tradesmen can flourish.
- Niche
- We unite our members through mutual assistance, spiritual formation, networking, and practical resources.
- Who
- Devout Catholic men working in, or retired from, the skilled trades.
“We greatly wish, for the salvation of the people, that these guilds may be generally restored. To help the honest workman, to protect and guard his children and family, and to promote in them piety, Christian knowledge, and a moral life.”
Our 5 Pillars of Works
Spiritual growth comes first because everything else depends on it.
Spiritual Growth
- Consecration to St. Joseph the Worker and St. Louis IX.
- Monthly holy hours, adoration, and spiritual direction for tradesmen.
- An annual retreat and the St. Joseph the Worker procession each May.
Networking and Fraternity
- A member directory for referrals and a public directory of Guild tradesmen.
- Monthly formation meetings in Catholic business ethics, and a monthly newsletter.
Corporal Works of Mercy
- Discounted and pro bono work for families, parishes, schools, and shrines in need.
- Emergency response: storm cleanup, tarping, and manual labor.
- Every member gives at least 16 hours of designated charity work a year.
Education and Opportunity
- Career guidance and enrichment courses for members; introductory classes for Catholic homeowners.
- Come-and-see visits for men and families discerning a future in the trades.
Practical Resources
- A shared workshop and tool library, stocked by member donations, which also discounts materials for work serving the poor.
- Help navigating healthcare costs, and a community that rallies around any tradesman facing a hard season.
What the Guild Is
Catholic guilds were once at the heart of Christian society: brotherhoods that formed men in faith, looked after one another's families, and served their towns.
The St. Joseph the Worker Guild brings that tradition home to St. Louis, so that a man's work can once again build up his family, his parish, and the city around him.
Consecrated to St. Joseph the Worker and St. Louis IX as patrons.
Our Values
- Steadfast Endurance
- We work diligently, follow through, and pursue excellence in everything entrusted to us. (2 Peter 1:6)
- Humble Service
- We lead and contribute with humility, putting our talents to work for others.
- Faithful Integrity
- We act honestly and transparently, faithful to Catholic teaching in word, decision, and conduct.
- Proactive Ownership
- We meet obstacles with resourcefulness, personal responsibility, and a determination to move forward.
Where We Are Headed
- This Year
- A founding board, the first 60 members, a working referral network, the St. Joseph the Worker procession, regular Masses and holy hours, and the start of an emergency fund.
- 2029
- 100 active members, monthly Mass and holy hour, an annual retreat, an education partnership, and a board of five to seven.
- 2031
- 250 well-formed tradesmen serving our community.
Join Us
For centuries, Catholic guilds saw a workman not as an economic unit but as body and soul, made in the image of God. They saw labor and family not as rivals but as bound together, and work not as a way to get rich but as a way to grow holy.
Will you help us bring that tradition back to life?