When Catholics hear about the works of mercy, they may think first of feeding the hungry, visiting the sick, or clothing the naked. These corporal works of mercy address the physical needs of others, but the Church also teaches that people have spiritual needs that also must be addressed.
The seven spiritual works of mercy include: admonish the sinner, instruct the ignorant, counsel the doubtful, comfort the sorrowful, bear wrongs patiently, forgive injuries, and pray for the living and the dead.
Few modern Catholic voices spoke about these realities as plainly — and as humorously — as Mother Angelica, the foundress of EWTN. Through her long-running television program Mother Angelica Live, she encouraged Catholics to live the Gospel in ordinary life.
Her words offer practical insight into how we can live these works of mercy today:
1. Admonish the sinner
To admonish the sinner means to help someone recognize sin and turn back to God. This work of mercy must always be done with humility and charity, never with condemnation.
Mother Angelica often reminded viewers that conversion is rooted in God’s mercy: “God always forgives when you are totally repentant and you desire to change. He forgives… and he never
