Lenten Retreat, Day 20: Corporal and Spiritual Works of Mercy
We begin with the sign of the cross, In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, Amen.
Examine your conscience. (Take a few minutes. In silence, remember and feel sorry for your sins, and think of ways you will amend your life.)
Pray the Act of Contrition.
The works of mercy are charitable actions by which we come to the aid of others in their spiritual and bodily necessities. Instructing, advising, consoling, comforting are spiritual works of mercy, as are forgiving and bearing wrongs patiently. The corporal works of mercy consist especially in feeding the hungry, sheltering the homeless, clothing the naked, visiting the sick and imprisoned, and burying the dead. Among all these, giving alms to the poor is one of the chief witnesses to fraternal charity: it is also a work of justice pleasing to God (CCC 2447)
A person is justified by works and not by faith alone. The body apart from the spirit is dead, so also faith apart from works is dead. (James 2:24,26).
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end, Amen.
To receive abundance of graces during this retreat, you can choose to do any of the following daily:
Attend the Holy Mass daily.
Pray the Rosary.
Pray the Chaplet of the Divine Mercy.
Pray and meditate on the Way of the Cross.
Pray at least 15 minutes in front of the Blessed Sacrament.
Read the bible and mediate on scripture for at least 15 minutes.
Pray the Litany of Humility.
Invite others to join this retreat, as a family or as a group.