Works of Mercy
St. Francis Xavier requires each student in grades 6 through Confirmation to complete a minimum of 10 hours of Works of Mercy per year. The goal is to have the youth establish a habit of service over each year.
To learn more: Work of Mercy Policy
Need ideas? Work of Mercy Ideas
For students who have completed Works of Mercy hours, please fill out the WOM Online Form.
Below is a list of the Works of Mercy. As you can see some would be difficult for a middle school youth to do. Above is a list of some ideas that a teen can do to fullfil these hours. Volunteering with the Knights of Columbus, Camp Blaze or Feed My Starving Children are great ways to complete hours. Praying for the living and the dead is another great way to complete hours. One way to come up with ideas of service would be to think about what is the need? Is the person sick, elderly, poor, etc... If so, then helping them would most likely count towards a Work of Mercy. Question? Contact Debbie Gladitsch
The Seven Corporal Works of Mercy
- Clothe the naked: Donating clothing to those in need.
- Shelter the homeless (or harbor the harborless): Providing a place to stay for those without homes.
- Visit the sick: Offering comfort and presence to the ill.
- Visit the imprisoned: Spending time with those in jail or prison.
- Bury the dead: Ensuring proper burial rites for the deceased.
- Feed the hungry: Providing food for those who lack it.
- Give drink to the thirsty: Offering water or other sustenance to the parched.
The Seven Spiritual Works of Mercy
- To instruct the ignorant: Sharing knowledge and teaching others what they need to know.
- To counsel the doubtful: Giving sound advice to those who are uncertain.
- To admonish sinners: Gently correcting those who are doing wrong.
- To comfort the afflicted: Offering solace to those who are suffering.
- To forgive offenses willingly: Letting go of hurt and forgiving those who have wronged you.
- To bear wrongs patiently: Showing patience and tolerance with difficult people or situations.
- To pray for the living and the dead: Interceding for others in your prayers.