FAITH Theological Virtue

by which we believe in God and believe all that He

has said and revealed to us.

By Faith,Man freely commits

his entire self to God

God looks upon CHARITY given to

the poor as an act of charity to Himself. “Amen, I say to you, whatever you did for one of these least brothers of mine, you did it for

Me”(Mt 25:40)

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THE PRECEPTS OF FRATERNAL CHARITYJesus Christ has declared that the precept which commands us to love our neighbor is like that

which commands us to love God. The act of Fraternal Charity put into practice:

“Do to others whatever you would have them do to you. (Mt 7:12)”

through….

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THE WORKS OF MERCY

are charitable actions by which we come to the aid of our neighbor in his spiritual and

bodily necessities.

1.Spiritual Works of Mercy

2.Corporal Works of Mercy

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Seven Chief Spiritual Works of Mercy

1. To admonish the sinner

2. To instruct the ignorant

3. To counsel the doubtful

4. To comfort the sorrowful

5. To bear wrongs patiently

6. To forgive all injuries

7. To pray for the living and the dead

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1. Admonish the Sinner

James 5: 20 tells us;

“He who causes a sinner to be brought back from his misguided way, will save his soul from death, and will

cover multitude of sins.”

Spiritual Works of Mercy

2. Instruct the Ignorant

Frequent reading of the Bible for us members of the Knights of Columbus

is mandated, for Ignorance of the Scriptures, is ignorance of Christ.

(St. Jerome)

Spiritual Works of Mercy

3. Counsel the doubtful

As in admonishing sinners, advising the doubtful should be done prudently

and gently to effect good results. It is seldom effective to rush into heated argument. Let us pray first before

giving counsel.

Spiritual Works of Mercy

4. Comfort the Sorrowful

To comfort the sorrowful is a work of mercy similar to curing the sick, since

grief is a mental and emotional ailment. He reserves for us in heaven, when all earthly sorrows and troubles

will be ended.

Spiritual Works of Mercy

5. Bear wrongs patientlyBy being patient with injustice, we

benefit both ourselves and our fellowman.

“Learning Christ” the invocation says:“Teach me, my Lord, to profit by the suffering that comes across my path. Let me use it that it may make me patient not

irritable…”

Spiritual Works of Mercy

6. Forgive all injuries

We must not seek revenge, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord”

(Rom 12:19). “ If you forgive men their offenses, your

heavenly Father will also forgive your offenses. But if you do not forgive men

neither will your Father forgive you your offenses”(Mt 6:14-15).

Spiritual Works of Mercy

7. Pray for the living and the deadPrayer is the raising of one’s mind and heart to

God or the supplication or petition of good things from God.

We should pray for all the faithful living on earth (our family, the Church, Pope,

Bishops, Priests & Nuns, those who are in authority, our friends, neighbors and even

our enemies), and the poor souls in Purgatory.

Spiritual Works of Mercy

1. To feed the hungry2. To give drink to the thirsty3. To clothe the naked4. To visit the imprisoned5. To shelter the homeless6. To visit the sick7. To bury the dead

Corporal Works of Mercy

1. Feed the HungryNever turn away anyone who is

hungry, specially if poor, old or disabled.

Those in authority should try to prevent unemployment. Giving work is the best means for removing the necessity of feeding the

unemployed.

Corporal Works of Mercy

2. Give drink to the thirsty

“Anyone who gives you a cup of water to drink

because you belong to Christ, Amen, I say to you,

will surely not lose his reward.”

(Mk 9:41)

Corporal Works of Mercy

3. Clothe the naked

Give clothes to the needy and poor, help mothers of large families mend

clothes.

Corporal Works of Mercy

4. Visit the imprisoned

Visiting prisoners in jail and detention homes, console and help prisoners as well as their

families.

“Be mindful of prisoners as if sharing their

imprisonment, and of the ill-treated as

yourselves….”(Heb 13:3)

Corporal Works of Mercy

5. Shelter the homeless

Give shelter and hospitality in cases of fire and disaster.

St. Paul said:“Let mutual love continue. Do not

neglect hospitality, for through it some have unknowingly

entertained angels.”

(Heb 13:1-2)

Corporal Works of Mercy

6. Visit the sick

Visit, console and give relief to the sick and very old.

Provide medical assistance, medicines, and proper food for the sick is

a meritorious act of charity.

Corporal Works of Mercy

7. Bury the dead

Attend a funeral, visit a home in mourning, aid the bereaved

family of their departed loved ones gives them

comfort and consolations. Every word or act done in

the name of Christ or for His sake is a work of mercy and

will be rewarded.

Corporal Works of Mercy

POINTS TO PONDER

I shall pass through this

world but once. Any good therefore that I can do or

there be any kindness I can show to any human being ,

let me do it now. Let me not defer it or neglect it, for I

shall not pass this way again.(William Penn)

POINTS TO PONDER

The world and its desires pass away, but the man who

does the will of God lives forever with

Him.(1 Jn 2:17)

Discipleship of the Laity

Serve God

and their

fellowmen through

diligent fulfillment

of their

Christian duties

Vivat Jesus!