Works of Mercy
Corporal Acts of Mercy
The Corporal Works of Mercy are found in the teachings of Jesus and give us a model for how we should treat all others, as if they were Christ in disguise.
My daughter, if I demand through you that people revere My mercy, you should be the first to distinguish yourself by this confidence in My mercy. I demand from you deeds of mercy, which are to arise out of love for Me. You are to show mercy to your neighbors always and everywhere. You must not shrink from this or try to excuse or absolve yourself from it. DIARY OF ST. FAUSTINA, 742
Spiritual Acts of Mercy
The Spiritual Acts of Mercy are oriented toward the soul. Just as Jesus attended to the spiritual well-being of those he ministered to, these Spiritual Acts of Mercy guide us to “help our neighbor in their spiritual needs”.
Indeed, the most serious form of poverty of all can be the poverty of the spirit, not only because it drains life of all energy, joy, and sense of purpose, but also because it is the one kind of poverty that can last forever.