Corporal Works of Mercy (actions we can do to spread God’s love and mercy)

Year of Mercy December 8, 2015 - November 20, 2016 Pope Francis has encouraged us to be more merciful to others during this year. The Corporal Works of Mercy are ways we can help ourselves and others to grow in their mind and body. By doing these Works we are putting into practice what Jesus, our Saviour, asked us to do. We follow Jesus by trying to do these things as often as we can.

Corporal Works of Mercy The Corporal Works of Mercy are these kind acts by which we help our neighbours with their physical needs. feed the hungry give drink to the thirsty clothe the unclothed shelter the homeless visit the sick visit those in prison bury the dead

Feed the Hungry How can we give to those who are hungry for food? (e.g. Trócaire box, Bóthar, St. Vincent de Paul etc) I can make sure not to waste or throw out good food. How can we help those who are hungry to know about God? (encourage our friends to go to Mass and to pray and listen to God)

Give drink to the thirsty How can we help those who are thirsty? (help fund charities who dig to build wells for families with no running water, give some supplies to a local soup kitchens....) Can I help my parents by giving a bottle to my younger brother or sister? How can we help those who are thirsty to learn more about God? (invite them to pray and invite God into their hearts)

Clothe the unclothed How can we help those who struggle to buy clothes? (give our old clothes to charity shops or clothes banks, give away clothes that are too big for us, lend a favourite item to a friend)

Shelter the Homeless How can I welcome those who come to our house and make them feel at home even if it sometimes means giving up my room? Can I give money to help a homeless person get an overnight stay in a hostel for the night?

Visit the sick Is there a friend in hospital who would like a visit? Could I visit a neighbour who is unwell? Is my classmate absent because of sickness? I could visit him/her. Are my grandparents sick in a nursing home? I could cheer them up by visiting them and bring them a handmade card.

Visit those in prison I may be too young to visit people in prison but I can pray for them and encourage adults I know to get involved in visiting prisoners. My friend might be too afraid to do something and maybe I can help him/her.

Bury the dead When I go to Mass I can pray for those who have died. I can go to the funerals of relatives or friends that my parents bring me to. I can visit the house of a friend of mine who is sad because someone they loved has died.

Revision! There are seven corporal works of mercy, can you remember them? Matthew Chapter 25: 35 For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, 36 I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’ 37 “Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? 38 When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? 39 When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’ 40 “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’

Free activity! For free, downloadable, child friendly, colouring booklets on the Corporal Works of Mercy click on the following link: http://looktohimandberadiant.blogspot.ie/2015/07/corporal-works-of-mercy-teaching-tools.html