Cardinal Seán O’Malley of Boston issued a pastoral letter in 2016 entitled “God’s Mercy Runs to Meet Us” for Divine Mercy Sunday. I thought that it would be good to look at it again on this Divine Mercy Sunday. In the pastoral letter he recommends seven actions for this Jubilee Year of Mercy. The sixth recommendation is to practice each of the works of mercy at least once. Cardinal O’Malley also recommends that a great way to celebrate this Jubilee Year of Mercy with young people is to perform each of the works of mercy with them. I think that these are practices that we should continue even though the Jubilee Year of Mercy has finished. Cardinal O’Malley thinks that this could be a good activity for youth groups, young adults, adult small groups, and even parishes. I am going to devote this column to recommendations that he makes for performing the works of mercy. In order to do that, I shall list the work of mercy and then give his practical suggestions for carrying it out.
Corporal Works of Mercy
· Feed the hungry and give drink to the thirsty. Give funds to food pantries or meal centers. Organize a food drive. Pray for those who are hungry during grace at meals. Bring a meal to a homeless person that you often pass by. Join your parish’s Saint Vincent de Paul Society…
· Shelter the homeless. Get involved in the work to care for refugees. Support shelters in your area through gifts of time or treasure. Take in an elderly family member or friend in need. Volunteer at a crisis pregnancy center…
· Clothe the naked. Make clothing donations to thrift stores. Organize a drive to send support uniforms to poor countries. Sacrifice the purchase of new clothing and donate what you would have spent to agencies that provide clothing.
· Care for the sick. Visit family members and friends who are ill. Pray for the sick individually by name. Make meals for people who are facing difficult situations, perhaps due to the care of a sick loved one.
· Visit the imprisoned. Support prison ministry or join a team that visits prisons. Ask prison chaplains about someone that might appreciate receiving regular letters or a personal visit. Support Catholic media ministries that bring the teachings of the Church to the incarcerated.
· Bury the dead. Help Catholics get their plans in order (particularly if their next of kin is not a person of faith). Attend wakes and funerals. Pray the Divine Mercy Chaplet and Rosary with and for people who are near death. Visit cemeteries and offer prayers and Masses for those who have died.
Spiritual Works of Mercy
· Admonish the sinner (correct those who need correction). Kindly speak up, with charity, against sinful and unjust practices in the culture. Love the sinner, hate the sin.
· Instruct the ignorant (teach the faith to others). Hand on the faith to kids and grandkids through instruction and witness. Sign up to teach RCIA, confirmation, youth group or religious education at your parish. Encourage others to listen to Catholic programming on radio and television and to read Catholic publications.
· Counsel the doubtful (give advice to those who need it). Have a heart for those who are struggling, confused, or depressed. Help those looking for jobs and facing big decisions.
· Comfort the sorrowing (give comfort to those who suffer). Call or visit friends in difficult situations or who may be lonely. Make meals or care packages. Write an encouraging note to someone in need of support.
· Bear wrongs patiently (be patient with others). Practice loving patience with family members and co-workers. Hold your tongue or don’t honk your horn.
· Forgive all injuries (to forgive others who hurt you). Pray for those who have hurt you. Invite estranged family members to gatherings. Don’t speak ill of others.
· Pray for the living and the dead (to pray for everyone who needs our prayers). Keep a list of people who need prayers close at hand. Have Masses celebrated for those in need or departed friends and family. Obtain an indulgence this year for family members or friends who have died.