1. SPIRITUAL WORKS OF MERCY

2. The Seven Spiritual Works of Mercy- traditional
To instruct the ignorant
To counsel the doubtful
To comfort the sorrowful
To convert sinners
To bear wrongs patiently
To forgive injuries
To pray for the living and the dead

3. They are motivated by the actions of Jesus in the Gospel
The Spiritual Works of Mercy are acts of love which enable us to respond sensitively to the spiritual and emotional needs of others
They are motivated by the actions of Jesus in the Gospel

4. Listening Encouraging
Consoling Giving time
Sharing faith Supporting
Forgiving Accompanying
Enduring Understanding
Praying for and with...

5. Instructing
Share your understanding of the faith with others especially with children
Share your insights, knowledge, and skills with others as opportunity arises
Get in involved in the R.C.I.A programme or children’s liturgy.

7. Counselling
Be courageous yet compassionate in listening to people and helping them to move on
Help in situations in which people are clearly doing harm to themselves or others
Put an end to gossip by walking away-
set a good example for others.

9. Encouraging Work at being hopeful and encourage people
Respond to cynicism, scepticism and doubt with hope
Share your own hope based on faith and the promises of Jesus in the Gospel - inhabit the promises!

11. Comforting walk with others through their pain
and help them to move on
Offer positive words to those who are having a difficult time in their lives
Be present to those who are struggling or in emotional pain or despair

13. Forgiving
Pray for those who have wronged you and pray for the courage to forgive
Ask forgiveness from others and let go of grudges
Go out of your way to be positive with someone you are having a difficult time with.

15. Bearing wrongs patiently
Work at being less critical of others
Overlook minor flaws and mistakes
Give people the benefit of the doubt
Pray for those who have wronged you

17. Pray for the living and the dead

18. Pope Francis helps us to examine our conscience
Have we helped others to escape the doubt
that causes them to fall into despair?
Have we helped to overcome the ignorance in
which millions of people live, especially
children?

19. Have we been close to the lonely and afflicted?
Have we rejected all forms of anger
and hatred that leads to violence?
Have we had patience with others
and forgiven them?
Misericordiae Vultus

20. “For in each of these Christ is present, to be acknowledged, touched
and cared
for by us”
Pope Francis

21. Help me Lord, to be a companion in the Spirit to those with whom I share my life;
Give me the courage to speak of all the good gifts you give to me.
Help me to remember in my prayers those who are suffering and those who have died.
Let me hold them before you who alone are the source of all mercy and consolation.
Lord, teach me to be as gracious to others as you are to me.
Use me as you will .