It has been the longstanding charge of religious and priests to radically and generously live the spiritual and corporal works of mercy. If you’re discerning your vocation, the works of mercy are an excellent guide to prepare yourself for whatever your vocation may be. In addition to helping others physically and spiritually, the works of mercy condition the soul to good and make us more like Christ, which is the purpose of all vocations.

During this Year of Mercy, especially as Lent begins, consider the works of mercy and how you can incorporate them more into your life. Some of the ideas below are more involved - try to do a few bigger things, but keep in mind that there are many opportunities throughout the day to do these good works.

The Corporal Works of Mercy

• Feed the Hungry - Volunteer at a soup kitchen; joyfully help in meal preparation or cleanup at home.

• Give Drink to the Thirsty - get up and fill a glass for a sibling or friend during a meal; get a cup of coffee for a colleague.

• Clothe the Naked - Donate clothing or blankets for a clothing drive; help with laundry.

• Shelter the Homeless - Volunteer at a homeless shelter; donate to Food for the Poor or another trustworthy assistance program; put together a goodie bag with some cookies and hand warmer in case you run across someone begging.

• Visit the Sick - Visit the elderly at a nursing home; make cards for people in the hospital or who you know are dealing with illness; give special attention to a sick family member.

• Visit the Prisoner - Participate personally in prison ministry or send mail to a prisoner through a prison ministry program; visit a neighbor or family friend who is shut-in and unable to leave home due to age or illness.

• Bury the Dead - Assist at a funeral at your parish, even if the person is unknown to you; go to a wake service; or visit a cemetery and clean off a the grave stone of leaves and grass cuttings, or leave flowers.

The Spiritual Works of Mercy

• Instruct the Ignorant - Help with parish CCD or Youth Ministry; help a younger sibling with homework; chat about the faith with others, especially if they have misconceptions about something the Church teaches.

• Counsel the Doubtful - Encourage a friend whose faith is weak; be a good example by publicly living your faith (avoiding gossip, for example).

• Admonish Sinners - Gently encourage a friend or family member to do the right thing; change an inappropriate topic of conversation to something holier; stand up for not watching a show or movie that is immoral or inappropriate.

• Bear Wrongs Patiently - Instead of getting angry at an injustice done to you, offer it up in union with Christ on the Cross for the good of the offender; repay evil with kindness.

• Forgive Offenses Willingly - Don’t hold grudges, no matter how deep the injury.

• Comfort the Sorrowful - Be ready with compassion for those who are in difficult situations, and maybe take extra time to be with them, especially if you would prefer to do other things.

• Pray for the Living and the Dead - Visit the graves of loved ones or even those unknown to you; pray and offer some small sacrifice every day for the holy souls in purgatory.

In addition to your regular Lenten abstinence and prayer, fasting, and almsgiving, I challenge you to join me in performing the works of mercy during Lent. How many can you do in 40 days? In what ways can you perform those that are difficult or challenging due to your life’s circumstances? Be creative!

If you’re discerning your vocation, the Works of Mercy are some of the best ways to prepare your heart and mind to listen to what God is calling you to do.