Memory cards can keep God’s Word in our mouths and on our minds.
Each printable download includes all the images in black and white. Print duplicate pages to make a set for matching memory cards.
Out of respect for the artist, do not share this file. Your purchase supports emerging artist Joan Bratt and helps our team create additional materials for home use.
Once Christians have received the grace and forgiveness of God, how are we supposed to live?
The lists of the Works of Mercy are a way to summarize the teachings of Jesus about how Christians can serve God by loving our neighbors. These teachings can be found in the Gospel of Matthew chapters 5 (Sermon on the Mount) and 25 (Parable of the Kingdom). The Works of Mercy are divided into spiritual and corporal (physical) acts. This vine border contains eight blocks for the Works of Mercy in each category:
Spiritual Works
- Admonish the Sinner
- Comfort the Afflicted
- Counsel the Doubtful
- Forgive All Injuries
- Instruct the Ignorant
- Bear Wrongs Patiently
- Pray for the Living and the Dead
- Care for Creation*
Corporal Works
- Clothe the Naked
- Bury the Dead
- Give Drink to the Thirsty
- Feed the Hungry
- Shelter the Homeless
- Visit the Imprisoned
- Visit the Sick
- Care for Creation*
*Pope Francis declared 2015-16 the Year of Mercy and added an eighth work in both the corporal and spiritual categories: Care for Creation. He urges Christians everywhere to respect, pray, and care for our common home.
Style
This artwork by Joan Bratt, commissioned in 2022 by Mustard Seed Training, uses a wood block style of black ink drawing to reflect on how families can act on the Works of Mercy (8 per category with one repeated, so 15 total). The style is inspired by the artwork that Quaker artist Fritz Eichenberg created for Dorothy Day and the Catholic Worker newspaper. We wanted to create a set of images that focuses on children and families as active “workers” of mercy and includes Care for Creation.
