Corporal Works of Mercy “Whatever You Do for the Least of My Brothers and Sisters, You Do for Me. ” Matthew 25:40 Photos by James Nacteway

Introduction The Old Testament (Isaiah 58:6-10) and the New Testament (Matthew 25:34-40) are the biblical origins of the Corporal Works of Mercy. These charitable actions for the common good and basic human welfare reflect the Church’s teachings on Catholic social justice.

Introduction Pope John Paul II reminds us in his encyclical, Rich in Mercy: “Jesus Christ taught that man not only receives and experiences the mercy of God, but that he is also called to practice mercy toward others: ‘Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy’.”

Introduction The Holy Spirit inspires our commitment to the Corporal Works of Mercy and our commitment defines our relationship with God. As His hands on Earth, the faithful are not only called to care for the less fortunate, but also to respect and care for the goods of God’s creation, intended for the whole human race.

Introduction Each and every day, missionaries worldwide live the Corporal Works of Mercy through selfless, compassionate acts in response to the needs of the world’s poorest, most overlooked, forgotten and vulnerable members of society.

Feed the Hungry Somalia, 1992 - Famine victim sewn into burial shroud

“For I Was Hungry and You Gave Me Food” Sudan, 1993 - Famine victim in a feeding center.

Give Drink to the Thirsty Somalia, 1992 - Child starved by famine, thirst – the original man-made weapon of mass destruction

“For I was Thirsty and You Gave Me Drink” Sudan, 1993 - Famine victim about to receive water in a feeding center.

Clothe The Naked Indonesia 1998 - A beggar washing his children in a polluted canal

“For I Was Naked and You Clothed Me.” Romania, 1990 - An orphan in an institution for “incurables”

Afghanistan 1996 - Ruins of Kabul from civil war Shelter The Homeless Afghanistan 1996 - Ruins of Kabul from civil war

“For I Was a Stranger and You Welcomed Me” Indonesia 1998 - A homeless child sleeping off a drug high on the streets

Shelter The Homeless Chechnya 1996 - Ruins of central Grozny

Visit The Sick Afghanistan 1996 - Land mine victims learning to walk on prosthetic legs

“For I Was Ill and You Cared For Me” Zimbabwe 2000 - In a tuberculosis ward where the vast majority of the patients suffer from AIDS

Visit The Sick Rwanda 1994 - Survivor of Hutu death camp

Visit The Imprisoned Alabama 1994 Punishment post on the chain gang

“For I Was In Prison and You Came to Visit Me” Pakistan 2001 A rehab center for heroin addicts

Romania 1990 - An orphanage for “incurables” Visit The Imprisoned Romania 1990 - An orphanage for “incurables”

Bury The Dead Afghanistan 1996 Mourning a brother killed by a Taliban rocket

“In Death, God Calls Man To Himself” Bosnia, 1993 - Mourning a soldier killed and buried in what was a football field

“Even Death Cannot Rob Us of Our Fundamental Dignity as Human Persons Somalia 1992 - Lifting a dead son to carry him to a mass grave during the famine

“If one of you says to him, “Go, I wish you well: keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it? In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.” (James 2:16-18)”