This Lent, Give, Don’t Give Up

Today is Ash Wednesday, the beginning of Lent. The tradition is to “give up” something important to us for the 40 days until Easter as a gesture of sacrifice. The coronavirus pandemic caused us to give up so much during 2020 and these early days of 2021, we suggest that we follow Pope Francis’ call to “work together for the common good.”

We will use the seven Corporal Works of Mercy to guide things you can do to help others this Lent. Each week, we will share a different Corporal Work with you with suggestions for how you can live out the works and do for others, even during a pandemic that restricts our interactions with others. Because when you follow the Works of Mercy, Mercy Works!

The Corporal Works of Mercy

Feed the Hungry

Give Drink to the thirsty

Shelter the Homeless

Clothe the Naked

Visit the Sick

Visit the Imprisoned

Bury the Dead

According to the US Conference of Bishops, the Corporal Works of Mercy are found in the teachings of Jesus and serve as a model for how we should treat others. The Corporal works refer to our responsibility as Christians to see to the bodily needs of our neighbors.