Works of Mercy

Jesus said unto him: "You shall love the Lord, your God, with all your heart, with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the greatest and the first commandment. The second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself." (Matthew 22: 37-39). 

Why We Serve: True love for our neighbor cannot be separated from our love for God. All love and virtue flow from God, and every act of kindness should lead our hearts back to Him.

This is why, as part of your Confirmation preparation, you are asked to live out both the Corporal and Spiritual Works of Mercy through service. 

These acts help us:

• Grow closer to Christ by putting our faith into action

• Reflect God’s love in our parish, families, and community

• Deepen our understanding that mercy is not only something we receive, but something we are called to give

Serving others is more than completing hours, it is an opportunity to practice discipleship and allow the Holy Spirit to work through you in everyday life. 

To help you grow through service you are expected to complete 30 hours of 
Acts of Mercy with five Acts completed from each of the following categories: 

1. Corporal Works of Mercy for the Community: These acts of service allow you to show kindness and compassion to those in need within our parish and beyond.

Suggestions:

• Sandwich-Making Run for the homeless

• Helping with Sunday Children' s Liturgy or First Communion Classes & Retreats

• Volunteering at a local shelter, food pantry, or charity event

• Visit a senior facility and spend time with the elderly reading and reflecting on scripture or Word Among Us, singing worship songs or simply making them company.

• Other opportunities outside of St. Lorenzo Ruiz that reflect Christian service
  
  

2. Corporal Works of Mercy for Your Family: Charity begins at home. It is sometimes easy to take for granted our siblings and overlook the many sacrifices our parents make each day. By serving our family with kindness, we grow in humility, gratitude, and true charity.

Suggestions (must be done without pay or complaint):

• Cleaning, cooking, or grocery shopping for Mom or Dad

• Helping a brother or sister with homework or another activity

• Doing something special for a grandparent or relative

3. Spiritual Works of Mercy: Spiritual service is just as important as physical acts of kindness. We are called to pray not only for ourselves, but also for others, bringing God’s grace into the most difficult situations of life.

Suggestions:

• Serving as an Altar Server or Lector

• Praying the Rosary or Divine Mercy Chaplet with your family

• Attending Eucharistic Adoration (every Friday evening after Mass)

• Participating in the Stations of the Cross

• Attending a weekday Mass in addition to your Faith Formation

• Praying over the Sick, or those that have passed.

Stations of the Cross

Reflection & Journaling - Download Form Here

Each time you complete a Work of Mercy, take a few moments to reflect on the experience. This is how you will grow not only in service, but in faith.

✨ Remember: The goal is not to check off hours, but to discover how God is working through you and shaping you as His disciple.