Works of Mercy
Spiritual Work of Mercy: COMFORT THE SORROWFUL
Pray for families who have lost loved ones
Create an uplifting social media post every day for a week
Offer comfort by baking cookies, making a meal, or sending a card
Create encouraging yard signs and place in the yards of your neighborhood
Have a family Zoom session with someone who is struggling with loneliness or loss
Bible Verse to Reflect On: 1 Peter 5:5 – 11
Corporal Work of Mercy: FEED THE HUNGRY
Donate food to a local food pantry
Pay for the person behind you in the drive-through
Send a surprise pizza to a teacher, nurse, or service worker
Bring meals to someone who is sick, recently had a baby, or an elderly neighbor
Make “Blessing Bags” for your car to hand out to those in need (healthy snacks & toiletries)
Bible Verse to Reflect On: Isaiah 58:10
Spiritual Work of Mercy: BEAR WRONGS PATIENTLY
Be slow to anger and less judgmental of others around you
Go out of your way to show love for or get to know someone you may have judged in the past
Learn about the practice of Restorative Justice and how this can be used in your family, school, or workplace to resolve conflicts. Click here to read more.
Bible Verse to Reflect On: Philippians 2:3-4
Corporal Work of Mercy: CLOTHE THE NAKED
Crochet or knit hats for cancer patients
Make masks and put them in a “free” basket at your parish
Donate suitcases and duffle bags to foster care organizations
Donate clothes to those recently released from jail or prison
Clean out your closet and donate to an organization or a family in need
Collect baby items for mothers in need and donate to a local pregnancy resource center
Bible Verse to Reflect On: Ezekiel 18:16-18
Spiritual Work of Mercy: COUNSEL THE DOUBTFUL
Donate time or money to local mental health organizations
Paint rocks with uplifting messages and leave them in parks near your home
Encourage someone to speak with a priest, counselor, or spiritual director
Say a rosary for those contemplating suicide or struggling with depression
Learn what legislation you can support that helps those with mental illnesses
Bible Verse to Reflect On: John 14:27
Spiritual Work of Mercy: INSTRUCT THE IGNORANT
Start a family Bible study
Commit to learning about a new Saint every day
Write about a social justice issue in your parish’s bulletin or local newspaper
Teach others about Catholic Social Teaching by posting one principle of CST daily on social media
Bible Verse to Reflect On: Timothy 3:16-17; 4:1-5
Corporal Work of Mercy: GIVE DRINK TO THE THIRSTY
Purchase reusable water bottles and donate to a local school
Donate water to shelters, police/fire stations, or organizations collecting for an emergency situation
Leave a bottled drink and packaged snack on your porch for those that make deliveries to your home. Include a Bible verse or letter of encouragement.
Bible Verse to Reflect On: Isaiah 55:1
Spiritual Work of Mercy: FORGIVE OFFENSES WILLINGLY
Give someone a second chance
Accept apologies with grace and kindness
Pray a rosary that victims of crimes and their families will forgive their offenders
Research Saint Maria Goretti and ask her to intercede for you if you are struggling to forgive someone
Bible Verse to Reflect On: Matthew 18:15-35
Corporal Work of Mercy: BURY THE DEAD
Pick up trash at a local cemetery
Send cards and flowers to a grieving family
Make food for a family who has suffered a loss
Visit a gravesite to pray and put out flowers or flags
Donate to a cause that is special to a family who has lost a loved one
Help pay bills related to funeral expenses (cantor stipends, church donations, reception, etc.)
Bible Verse to Reflect On: Tobit 1:16 – 22; 2:1-8
Spiritual Work of Mercy: ADMONISH THE SINNER
Lead others towards the best choice in a situation
Kindly and privately talk to a person you have difficulties with to resolve the issue
Receive the sacrament of reconciliation and encourage a family or friend to join you
Remind others that little things add up. Gossiping or fighting with siblings are actions that pull us away from Christ.
Host a family discussion on the sin of racism using Open Wide Our Hearts: The Enduring Call to Love – A Pastoral Letter Against Racism CLICK HERE to access.
Bible Verse to Reflect On: Luke 17:3
Corporal Work of Mercy: VISIT THE IMPRISONED
Donate to a local bail fund
Write letters to those who are incarcerated
Donate Bibles to your local jail, prison, or detention center
Write or call your representatives about issues related to incarceration, including state and federal executions, bails, and juvenile sentencing
Do a drive-by hello with signs and noisemakers for someone who is homebound
*Note: There can be many restrictions with sending items to jails, prisons, and detention centers. Check with your parish’s prison ministry group or the facility itself to learn what the rules are.
Bible Verse to Reflect On: Hebrews 13:1-3
Spiritual Work of Mercy: PRAY FOR THE LIVING AND THE DEAD
Pray through journaling once a day by yourself or as a family
Make homemade rosaries and deliver to others with a prayer card
Attend Adoration or pray a Rosary, Chaplet, Holy Hour, or Novena for a marginalized community
Start a prayer group chat with friends and family members, lifting the prayers up at the end of each day
Bible Verse to Reflect On: John 17:24
Corporal Work of Mercy: VISIT THE SICK
Plan a family or parish rosary for the sick and dying
Write get-well cards for patients at a local hospital
Plan a Zoom call with someone who is ill at home or in a hospital
Gift items for someone who is sick, such as books, board games, and snacks
Bible Verse to Reflect On: James 2:1-26
Corporal Work of Mercy: SHELTER THE HOMELESS
Donate or build items for Habitat for Humanity homes
Donate to an organization that helps find homes for returning citizens
Donate furniture to refugee families or migrant farm worker residences
Use plastic bags to crochet plastic sleeping mats for the homeless. Click here for instructions.
Bible Verse to Reflect On: Deuteronomy 15:10-11