Works of Mercy

The Works of Mercy

Corporal

To feed the hungry.
To give drink to the thirsty.
To clothe the naked.
To visit the imprisoned.
To shelter the homeless.
To visit the sick.
To bury the dead

Spiritual.

To admonish the sinner.
To instruct the ignorant.
To counsel the doubtful.
To comfort the sorrowful.
To bear wrongs patiently.
To forgive all injuries.
To pray for the living and the dead

Our Lord lists six in Matt. 26:31-46. The seventh was a practice of the Christian community especially in relation to the recovery and burial of the bodies of the martyrs which were thrown into the street after they were killed. See also the burial of Jesus in Matt. 27: 57-61..

All the ordinary deeds done every day to relieve the corporal or spiritual needs of others are true works of mercy if done in the name of Christ.

"For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, a stranger and you welcomed me, naked and you clothed me, ill and you cared for me, in prison and you visited." - [Mat. 25:35-36].

Addition Information on the Spiritual and Corporal Works of Mercy

Spiritual and Corporal Works of Mercy - The Catholic Encyclopedia

Last updated on October 12, 2001