THE SEVEN SPIRITUAL & CORPORAL WORKS OF MERCY

In the Epistle of St James, we read that faith without work is a dead thing. As Catholics, we believe that good works performed in a state of grace win more merit for us in the sight of God. This grace builds up on our nature making us more capable of living a holy life.

The Church has traditionally divided good works under two categories; Corporal and Spiritual. It is good to remind ourselves of these.  

     The Seven Corporal Works of Mercy are:

1. To feed the hungry;
2. To give drink to the thirsty;
3. To clothe the naked
4. To shelter the homeless
5. To visit the sick
6. To visit the imprisoned
7. To bury the dead

     The Seven Spiritual Works of Mercy are:

1. To counsel the doubtful
2. To instruct the ignorant
3. To admonish sinners
4. To comfort the afflicted
5. To forgive offences
6. To bear wrongs patiently
7. To pray for the living and the dead.”

                                                           ~ FR. PAUL DOBSON