Pontifical University of the Holy Cross and its relationship with the CARF Foundation

Universidad Pontificia Santa Cruz and its relationship with the CARF Foundation

Academic activities at the PUSC began in 1984, with the name of Centro Accademico Romano della Santa CroceThe germ of today's University, which was erected as "Pontifical" by the Holy Father. John Paul II January 9, 1990.

The Pontifical University of the Holy Cross It currently consists of the Faculties of Theology, Canon Law, Philosophy and Institutional Social Communication; the Higher Institute of Religious Sciences of the Apollinare is also an essential part of it.

The CARF Foundation and its commitment to training

Hundreds of bishops from all over the world request study grants from the University and the CARF Foundation is in charge of obtaining the funds to send diocesan priests, seminarians and religious to study in its classrooms. The objective of the CARF Foundationsince 1989 is to provide these young people with a deep scientific and spiritual formation at the PSUC.

Fundación CARF

Donate now to form diocesan priests, seminarians and religious from all over the world.

The specific mission of the Pontifical University of the Holy Cross is to deepen the intellectual content and anthropological richness of the faith, while establishing a dialogue with contemporary culture.

The Pontifical University of Santa Cruz an education open to the world

The Santa Croce is characterized on the one hand by being open to the world, in dialogue with secular culture. Both in teaching and in research there is an attentive look at the problems of the world, being aware that from the sacred sciences one can contribute to the search for truth.

Topics such as anthropology, social doctrine and the defense of life are the object of study. In addition, the vast majority of the professors at the Pontifical University of the Holy Cross have obtained civil academic degrees in the various fields of knowledge, which facilitates this dialogue.

Following the wish of Blessed Alvaro del Portillo, the academic activities are open to scholars and intellectuals in the scientific, philosophical, economic and social fields, providing the necessary elements for a true dialogue of faith with the world.

Among the greatest spiritual inheritances received by St. Josemaría Escrivá is undoubtedly the exhortation to cultivate a profound unity of life. This is manifested not only in a due coherence between words and deeds, but also through the harmony that must exist between professional and intellectual formation, on the one hand, and spiritual and theological formation on the other.

"Santa Croce is characterized by being open to the world, in dialogue with secular culture."

Luis Navarro, rector of the PUSC since 2016.

Donate now to form diocesan priests, seminarians and religious from all over the world.

Because it is important for the CARF Foundation that seminarians and priests have access to a formation at the Pontifical University of Santa Croce.

First of all, because Rome is the cradle of Christianity! A few years ago, Pope Benedict XVI, Addressing the students of Roman universities, he told them that "the possibility of studying in Rome, seat of the successor of Peter and therefore of the Petrine ministry, helps you to strengthen your sense of belonging to the Church and your commitment to fidelity to the Pope's universal magisterium".

Also relevant during formation in Rome is the sense of union with the whole Church that is strengthened in the eternal city. Walking through the streets where so many holy women and men have walked is impressive and a spur for each one of us. To this is added another factor: in Rome you touch the universality of the Church. You see, talk and live with Catholics from all over the world: people of very different cultures, traditions and races, but at the same time very close because they believe in, proclaim and love Jesus Christ. When you discover this, a great horizon opens up in your interior life: belonging to the great family of God.

For this reason, the Pontifical University of Santa Cruz is an institution open to the world, and it carries out a training where the aim is to enable students to help the men and women of their country to encounter God precisely in temporal realities. The majority of the faithful are citizens who need to receive a formation that will enable them to be saints in their daily lives.

universidad PUSC

The annual visit of benefactors of the CARF Foundation to the PUSC in Rome

Every year the foundation organizes a day of meetings and training in Rome, during which benefactors and friends have the opportunity to meet some of the students they support and to chat and have lunch with them. They can also visit the PUSC and participate in some conferences given by teachers or personalities involved in the academic, cultural or communication fields.

The participants carry out a real pilgrimage to Rome The students were able to visit the Sedes Sapientiae International Seminary, the Tiberino Priestly College, the excavations of the Vatican Necropolis, together with some students of the university, and to participate in the Audience and the Angelus with Pope Francis.

During the trip, benefactors can see why the Pontifical University of the Holy Cross is unique among all other Pontifical Universities. In addition to the three main faculties, the PUSC promotes the Higher Institute of Religious Sciences and several research centers. A challenge, difficult in our times, but in which it puts all its efforts so that through formation it also contributes to evangelization and the spread of the message of Christ.

"Thanks to my benefactors at the CARF Foundation. Sometimes it may be normal for a young European to have the opportunity to be trained in such a prestigious university as the Pontifical University of the Holy Cross, but I can assure you that it is not so for the people of my country: your help has allowed me to have the opportunity to study in Rome and to share my life and my faith with other young seminarians from all over the world. So, truly, my wish is that God bless you in your daily work and keep in you that wonderful heart".

Mathias Msonganzila, a seminarian of the Archdiocese of Mwanza, Tanzania.

Donate now to form diocesan priests, seminarians and religious from all over the world.

Bibliography

- Interview with Mr. Luis NavarroGerardo Ferrara.
- Interview with Mª Dolores Cuadrado, correspondent of the CARF Foundation in Valladolid.
- Interview with Mr. Mariano Fazio on the occasion of his book number 28: "Libertad para amar, a través de los clásicos", Marta Santín.

Poems for grateful wonder

I got to know this work in a somewhat unusual way: a courier agency delivered it to my home by mistake. I confirmed that it was a mistake when I had already opened it, leafed through it, liked it and was given it as a gift. And every gift deserves a thank you, which I intend to convey in these lines.

Alumbramientos

It is a book of religious poetry, a polished and well-seasoned work by a writer who has several poetic awards to his credit, although he has also cultivated narrative.

It is a synthesis of poetic forms, in which there is no lack of combinations of traditional stanzas with others of more recent cut. However, I do not agree that it is not a mystical book, as it is said in the presentation, because supposedly the author would have his feet firmly planted on the ground.

But the great mystics, like the saints of Carmel, have also had them and have known the trials and joys of daily life, even if their vocation was not that of contemplative souls in their cells.

To have one's feet firmly on the ground is the occasion to contemplate Beauty with a capital letter after looking at the wonders of nature, traces of divine existence. It is astonishment, a grateful astonishment, that makes the poet discover Beauty.

Daniel Cotta - Poemas y poesía. Alumbramiento Poesía Antonio Rubio Plo

Daniel Cotta Lobato (Málaga, 1974) is a Spanish poet and novelist. 

The author and wonder in poems and poetry.

Cotta goes back first to the God of the Universe, who is not only Father, but also Motherto lead us little by little to Christ, God incarnate.

Alumbramientos is a continuous thanksgiving. To give thanks, one must first let oneself be carried away by amazement.This is something that our world does not appreciate too much, because its rationalism wants to control all processes, the explainable and the inexplicable.

However, as Cotta says, God is all wonder and possesses infinite joy. Amazement is proper to children, and surely from this perspective we can understand Christ's command to become like children in order to enter the kingdom of Heaven (Mt 18:3).The same Gospel passage reminds us that this spiritual childhood is only possible through personal conversion.

The poet calls God Creator, Father and My Redeemer. A prayer from the Christian tradition leads him to emphasize that God has not disengaged from the world. God came once to live among men and continues to come, particularly in the Eucharist.

For this reason, according to Cotta, the earth is the tabernacle that guards God. We have been visited by the Sun that rises from on high, the writer recalls with the words of the canticle of Zechariah (Lk 1:67-69), and the author once again allows himself to be carried away by this infinite wonder, present in his poetry, to recall that the Father has entrusted Christ: "And you will be his guardian angel"..

But the astonishment does not cease in other parts of the book, especially for what God has done for this man, "little lower than the angels" (Ps 8:5), and has made him in his own image and likeness. As Cotta says, "to make me, Lord, you drew inspiration from yourself. You looked inward and took out of me the God and clothed him in me". The poet believes in good deification: "I, Lord, am made of You. Let us make the Universe together!"

Many socio-political systems have tried, and continue to try, to create the "new man". They are destined to fail, as history shows. On the contrary, Daniel Cotta speaks to us in Alumbramientos del hombre nuevo, del hombre eterno (The New Man, the Eternal Man)in the expression of G. K. Chesterton, which is the image of Christ.

Antonio R. Rubio PloGraduate in History and Law. Writer and international analyst.
@blogculturayfe / @arubioplo

Prayer to the Holy Spirit to thank Him or ask for favors

Pope Francis explains faith in the Holy Spirit.
Imagen del Espíritu Santo interpretado por una paloma blanca con las alas abiertas

Pentecost Sequence

The oldest prayer to the Holy Spirit to ask for a favor is the Pentecost sequence or Veni Sancte Spiritus is a prayer written in Latin, with which to invoke the Holy Spirit. This is one of the four sequences that remained after the liturgical reform carried out by the Council of Trent.

It recalls the first coming of the Holy Spirit upon the Apostles at Pentecost, narrated in chapter 2 of the Acts of the Apostles.

The original text of this prayer to the Holy Spirit is attributed to Stephen Langton, Archbishop of Canterbury (ca. 1150-1228), although both King Robert II the Pious (970-1031) of France and Pope Innocent III (ca. 1161-1216) were also considered its authors.

Come, Holy Spirit,
and sends down from Heaven
a ray of your light.

Come, father of the poor,
come, giver of graces,
see the light of hearts.

Magnificent dildo,
sweet guest of the soul,
its sweet refreshment.

Rest in fatigue,
breeze in the summer,
consolation in crying.

O most holy light!
fills the most intimate
of the hearts of your faithful.

Without your help,
there is nothing in man,
nothing that is good.

Wash what is stained,
water what is arid,
heals what is wounded.

Bend what is stiff,
heats what is cold,
straightens what is astray.

Grant to your faithful ones,
who trust in You
your seven sacred gifts.

Give them the merit of virtue,
give them the port of salvation,
give them eternal happiness.

Amen.

Juan Pablo II de rodilla con las manos juntas rezando
John Paul II on his knees with hands together praying

Come Creator Spirit: Prayer to the Holy Spirit prayed daily by John Paul II

In January 1980, in his first meeting with the Catholic Charismatic Renewal, Saint John Paul II He confided to his listeners that he prayed this prayer to the Holy Spirit to ask for a favor.

"I learned to pray to the Holy Spirit from an early age. When I was 11 years old, I was sad because I had a hard time with mathematics. My father showed me in a little book the hymn "The Holy Spirit.Come Creator SpiritHe said to me: "Pray it and you will see that He helps you to understand. I have been praying this hymn every day for more than 40 years and I have known how much the Divine Spirit helps."

"I remain obedient to this commandment that my father gave me," noted the Polish saint who until the end of his life prayed daily the prayer suggested by his father, the hymn Come Holy Spirit Creator. "This was my own spiritual initiation," he added.

Come, Creator Spirit,
visit the souls of your faithful
and fills hearts with divine grace,
which Thou Thyself hast created.

You are our Comforter,
gift of God Most High,
living fountain, fire, charity
and spiritual anointing.

You pour out upon us the seven gifts;
You, the finger of God's hand;
You, the promised one of the Father;
You who put on our lips the treasures of your word.

Enkindle our senses with your light;
infuse your love in our hearts;
and, with your perpetual help,
strengthens our weak flesh.

Keep the enemy away from us,
give us peace soon,
be yourself our guide,
and placed under your guidance, we will avoid all that is harmful.

Through you let us know the Father,
and also to the Son;
and that in You, Spirit of both of us,
we create at all times.

Glory to God the Father,
and the Son who rose again,
and the Comforting Spirit,
for ever and ever. Amen.

V. Send your Spirit and they will be created.
R. And thou shalt renew the face of the earth.

Let us pray: O God, you have enlightened the hearts of your children with the light of the Holy Spirit; make us docile to your Spirit so that we may always taste the good and enjoy its consolation. Through Jesus Christ our Lord.

R. Amen.

Prayer to the Holy Spirit by St. Josemaria

St. Josemaría had a special devotion to the Paraclete, perhaps because he was the least invoked Person of the Blessed Trinity.

Every year, St. Josemaría made the Decenary to the Holy Spirit, using the book by Francisca Javiera del Valle. In April 1934 he composed a prayer to the Paraclete, which he gave, in manuscript, to Ricardo Fernández Vallespín, then director of the first Opus Dei Residence.

Come, Holy Spirit
Come, Holy Spirit,
Fill the hearts of your faithful
and ignites in them
the fire of your love.
Send, Lord, your Spirit.
May it renew the face of the Earth.

Prayer:

Oh my,
that you filled the hearts of your
faithful with the light of the Spirit
Holy One; grant that,
guided by the same Spirit,
and we feel righteously and
may we always enjoy your consolation.

Through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.

Decennial to the Holy Spirit, 10 days of preparation for Pentecost

The Decennial to the Holy Spirit is a beautiful and ancient custom with which the Church encourages its faithful to prepare in the best possible way for the coming of the Holy Spirit on Pentecost.

It begins 10 days before the feast, that is, on the day of Jesus' Ascension to heaven. On that day Jesus Christ promised his disciples that he would send them the Paraclete. The disciples remained in Jerusalem in continuous prayer to the Holy Spirit together with Mary.

These are, therefore, the days of Lent are a propitious occasion to remember that first prayer together and to prepare ourselves to celebrate the coming of the Holy Spirit.

"On the eve of beginning this Decade, which is the eve of the glorious Ascension of our Divine Redeemer, we must prepare ourselves, with firm resolutions, to undertake the interior life, and having undertaken this life, never to abandon it."    (Francisca Javiera del Valle)

The following is a proposal for a simple decennialbased on the requests of Pope Francis for the Year of Faith. Designed to prepare for the feast of Pentecost, pray a prayer to the Holy Spirit, read a text of St. Josemaría and propose a mission for each of the ten days.

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Palm Sunday: biblical meaning and history

What do we celebrate on Palm Sunday?

Palm Sunday is the last Sunday before the Easter Triduum. We also call it Passion Sunday.

This is a Christian feast of peace. The branches, with their ancient symbolism, remind us now of the covenant between God and his people. Confirmed and established in Christ, because He is our peace.

In the liturgy of our Holy Catholic Church, we read today these words of profound joy: the sons of the Hebrews, bearing olive branches, went out to meet the Lord, crying out and saying, "Glory in the highest!

While Jesus As he passed by, St. Luke tells us, the people spread their garments on the road. And when they were near the descent of the Mount of Olives, the disciples in great numbers, overcome with joy, began to praise God with a loud voice for all the wonders they had seen: Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord, peace in heaven and glory in the highest.

"By works of service, we can prepare for the Lord a greater triumph than that of his entry into Jerusalem." St. Josemaría Escrivá.

History and origin

On this day, Christians commemorate Christ's entry into Jerusalem to consummate his Paschal Mystery. For this reason, two Gospels have long been read at Mass on this day.

As Pope Francis explains, "this celebration has a double taste, sweet and bitter, it is joyful and sorrowful, because in it we celebrate the Lord's entry into Jerusalem, acclaimed by his disciples as king, at the same time as the Gospel account of his passion is solemnly proclaimed.

So our heart feels that painful contrast and experiences in some measure what Jesus felt in his heart on that day, the day he rejoiced with his friends and wept over Jerusalem."

It is on Palm Sunday, when our Lord begins the decisive week for our salvation, that St. Josemaría recommends that "we leave aside superficial considerations and go to what is central, to what is truly important. Look:

Look: what we have to pretend is to go to heaven. Otherwise, nothing is worthwhile. To go to heaven, fidelity to the doctrine of Christ is indispensable. In order to be faithful, it is indispensable to persevere with constancy in our struggle against the obstacles that oppose our eternal happiness...."

Palm leaves, writes St. Augustine, are a symbol of homage, because they signify victory. The Lord was about to conquer, dying on the Cross. He was going to triumph, in the sign of the Cross, over the Devil, the prince of death.

He comes to save us; and we are called to choose his way: the way of service, of self-giving, of self-forgetfulness. We can follow this path by stopping during these days to look at the Crucifix, the "Chair of God".

Meaning of Palm Sunday

Bishop Javier Echevarría, makes us see the Christian meaning of this feast: "We, who are nothing, are often vain and arrogant: we seek to stand out, to attract attention; we try to be admired and praised by others. 

The enthusiasm of the people is not usually long-lasting. A few days later, those who had welcomed him with cheers will cry out for his death. And we, will we let ourselves be carried away by a passing enthusiasm?

If in these days we notice the divine fluttering of God's grace, which passes close by, let us make room for it in our souls. Let us spread our hearts on the ground, more than palms or olive branches. Let us be humble, mortified and understanding with others. This is the homage that Jesus expects from us.

"Just as the Lord then entered the Holy City on the back of the donkey," says Benedict XVI, "so the Church always saw him arrive again under the humble appearance of bread and wine.

The scene of Palm Sunday is repeated in a certain way in our own lives. Jesus approaches the city of our soul on the back of the ordinary: in the sobriety of the sacraments; or in the gentle hints, such as those that St. Josemaría pointed out in his homily on this feast:

"Live punctually the fulfillment of your duty; smile at those who need it, even if your soul is in pain; dedicate, without hesitation, the necessary time to prayer; come to the aid of those who seek you; practice justice, extending it with the grace of charity".

Pope Francis points out that nothing could stop the enthusiasm for the entry of Jesus; let nothing prevent us from finding in him the source of our joy, of authentic joy, which remains and gives peace; because only Jesus saves us from the bonds of sin, death, fear and sadness.

Whoever receives Jesus with humility and simplicity, then carries him everywhere.

Domingo de ramos: significado bíblico e historia

Palm Sunday in the Bible

The Palm Sunday liturgy puts this canticle on the lips of Christians: Lift up your lintels, O ye gates; lift up your lintels, ye ancient doors, that the King of glory may come in.

First Gospel of Palm Sunday (Luke 19:28-40)

Having said this, he walked ahead of them going up to Jerusalem.
And when he drew near to Bethphage and Bethany, by the mount called the Mount of Olives, he sent two disciples, saying:
-Go to the village opposite; when you enter it you will find a donkey tied up, on which no one has yet ridden; untie it and bring it to him. And if anyone asks you why you are untying it, you shall answer him, "Because the Lord has need of it."
The envoys went and found it just as he had told them. When they untied the donkey their masters said to them:
- Why do you untie the donkey?
-Because the Lord needs it," they answered.
They took him to Jesus. And they threw their cloaks on the donkey and made Jesus ride on it. As he went on, they spread their cloaks along the road. And as he drew near, as he was going down the Mount of Olives, the whole multitude of the disciples, filled with joy, began to praise God with a loud voice for all the wonders they had seen, saying:
Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord!
Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!
Some Pharisees from the crowd said to him, "Teacher, rebuke your disciples.
He answered them, "I tell you, if these keep silent, the stones will cry out.

Gospel of Palm Sunday (Mark 11:1-10)

As he drew near to Jerusalem, to Bethphage and Bethany, by the Mount of Olives, he sent two of his disciples and said to them:
-Go to the village opposite you, and as soon as you enter it you will find a donkey tied up, on which no one has yet ridden; untie it and bring it back. And if anyone says to you, "Why do you do that?" answer him, "The Lord needs him, and he will bring him back here at once."
They went away and found a donkey tied by a gate outside at a crossroads, and they untied it. Some of those who were there said to them:
-What are you doing untying the donkey?
They answered them as Jesus had told them, and allowed them to do so.
Then they brought the donkey to Jesus, threw their cloaks on it, and he mounted on it. Many spread their cloaks on the road, others the branches they cut from the fields. Those who went before and those who followed behind shouted:
-Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord, blessed is the coming kingdom, the kingdom of our father David, Hosanna in the highest, Hosanna in the highest!
And he went into Jerusalem into the Temple; and when he had carefully observed everything, as it was toward evening, he departed for Bethany with the twelve.

"There are hundreds of animals more beautiful, more skillful and more cruel. But Christ looked to the donkey to present himself as king before the people who acclaimed him. For Jesus does not know what to do with calculating cunning, with the cruelty of cold hearts, with showy but hollow beauty.

Our Lord esteems the joy of a young heart, the simple step, the voice without falsetto, the clear eyes, the ear attentive to his word of affection. Thus he reigns in the soul". St. Josemaría

Palm Sunday processions

The tradition of celebrating Palm Sunday is hundreds of years old. For centuries, the blessing of the olive trees has been part of this feast, as well as the processions, The Holy Mass and the recounting during it of the Passion of Christ. Today they are celebrated in many countries.

The faithful participating in the Jerusalem procession, which dates back to the 4th century, They also carry palm branches, olive trees or other trees in their hands, and sing Palm Sunday songs.. The priests carry bouquets and lead the faithful.

In Spain, a cheerful Palm Sunday procession commemorates Jesus' entry into Jerusalem. Gathered together we sing hosanna and waves his palms as a gesture of praise and welcome.

The olive branches are a reminder that Lent is a time of hope and renewal of faith in God. They are attributed to be a symbol of the life and resurrection of Jesus Christ.. They also recall the Church's faith in Christ and his proclamation as King of Heaven and Earth.

At the end of the pilgrimage, it is customary to place the blessed palms next to the crosses in our homes as a reminder of Jesus' Easter victory.

These same olive trees will be prepared for the following Ash Wednesday. For this important ceremony, the remains of the palms blessed on Palm Sunday of the previous year are burned. These are sprinkled with holy water and then scented with incense.

Songs for Palm Sunday

Brief list of recommended songs for Palm Sunday celebrations

  • Processional song: YOU WILL REIGN
  • Entrance chant: HOSANNA, HOSANNA
  • From Psalm 21: MY GOD, MY GOD, WHY HAVE YOU FORSAKEN ME?
  •  Acclamation before the Gospel: HONOR AND GLORY TO YOU, LORD JESUS
  • Verse: CHRIST SUBMITTED HIMSELF FOR OUR SAKE
  • Offertory song: LET US BRING THE LORD
  • Saint: HOLY, HOLY, HOLY - Alberto Taulé.mp3
  • Lamb of God: LAMB OF GOD
  • Communion song: LORD, WHERE WILL WE GO?
  • Song of reflection: IN YOUR CROSS YOU STAND TODAY
  • Departure song: AL PIE DE LA CRUZ (AT THE FOOT OF THE CROSS)
  • Before the readings: GLORY TO YOU, LORD

Bibliography:
Pope Francis, Homily for Palm Sunday 2017.
Benedict XVI, Jesus of Nazareth.
St. Josemaría, Christ Is Passing By.
St. Josemaría, Forge.

New expert diplomas from the School of Theology of the University of Navarra

The subjects of these diplomas are not designed as a mere study of psychology or exclusively technical knowledge. Since they are taught in a Faculty of Theology, the approach is necessarily multidisciplinary, focusing on their theological, spiritual and pastoral dimension.

Why Psychology and Spiritual Life Studies?

Many trainers in Church-related centers detect a gap in basic psychological knowledge, which prevents them from adequately caring for the people entrusted to their care.

The complexity of culture and society in the 21st century greatly influences the formation of young people's personalities and the way they face life and problems at all ages.

The dedication to formative tasks and spiritual accompaniment requires specific and profound knowledge of psychological normality and its variants, as well as of possible disorders.

Everyone is aware of the significant increase in psychic symptomatology in current times, particularly in relation to anxiety, addictions, depression and professional stress.

For all these reasons, it seems necessary to offer an in-depth training in psychology and related subjects, as a complement to the training of teachers, spiritual guides or people with managerial tasks or sensitive areas in both secular and religious educational entities.

What are the objectives of these expert diplomas?

  • To provide people with sufficient knowledge in psychology and related sciences to welcome, understand and accompany people of all ages and conditions in their moral and spiritual life.
  • To provide theoretical and practical tools to know the normal modes of personal maturity, its variants and possible crises; as well as the useful strategies to face them. This will enable to make a first diagnosis of possible alterations or variants of normality.
  • To help prevent, recognize and assist in conflictive or risky situations that hinder the development of personal identity, interpersonal relationships and spiritual life.

Offering of Expert diplomas

Dates of the expert diplomas

The Diplomas are taken on-site at the Pamplona campus of the University of Navarra. They have their own degree from the University of Navarra.

  • Diploma in Psychology and Moral Life. From September 4 to October 10, 2023. Monday to Friday.
  • Diploma in Spiritual Accompaniment and Conflict Resolution. From October 26 to December 7, 2023. Monday to Friday.

 

For more information: José María Pardo Sáenz: jmpardo@unav.es

Works of mercy: spiritual and corporal

What are the works of mercy?

They are selfless acts performed with detachment and generosity that we do for other people. The works of mercy are fourteen, seven corporal and seven spiritual. To instruct, to counsel, to console, to comfort, are spiritual works of mercy, as are forgiving and suffering with patience. Among the corporal works of mercy we find almsgiving, which is one of the principal testimonies of fraternal charity, as well as a practice of justice that pleases God. Catechism of the Catholic Church, 2447

Pope Francis named the year 2014 as the Year of Mercy, here we are going to make a review to remember what they are and what are the works of mercy that he has recommended to meditate and perform during that time but that can not be forgotten.

Every Christian must keep these works in mind as "a way to awaken our conscience, often lethargic in the face of the drama of poverty, and to enter even more deeply into the heart of the Gospel, where the poor are the privileged of divine mercy".

The Church has the wisdom of a good mother, who knows what her children need to grow up healthy and strong, in body and spirit. Through the works of mercy, he invites us to rediscover that both the body and soul of our fellow human beings are in need of care, and that God entrusts each one of us with this attentive care..

. "The object of mercy is human life itself in its totality. Our very life as "flesh" is hungry and thirsty, in need of clothing, a home and visitors, as well as a dignified burial, which no one can give to himself (...). Our very life as "spirit" needs to be educated, corrected, encouraged, consoled (...). We need others to counsel us, forgive us, bear with us and pray for us."  Francis, 3rd meditation at the Jubilee of priests, 2-VI-2016.

Impact of the works of mercy on the person who performs them

The practice of the works of mercy generates grace for those who practice them. The Gospel of Luke relates the words of Jesus: "Give, and it will be given to you". So with the works of mercy we do the Will of God, we give something of ourselves to others and the Lord promises us that he will also give us what we need.

On the other hand, performing works of mercy is a way to compensate and restore our soul for our sins already forgiven in the sacrament of confession. By performing good works as are, of course, the Works of Mercy. "Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy." Mt.5, 7.

Moreover, the Works of Mercy help us to advance on the road to Heaven, because they make us similar to Jesus, our model, who taught us how our attitude towards others should be. In Matthew we find the following words of Christ: "Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break in and steal: but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also".

By following this teaching of the Lord, we exchange temporal goods for eternal goods, which are those that are truly valuable.

Corporal Works of Mercy

1 Visiting the sick
2 Feeding the hungry
3 Give drink to the thirsty.
4 Providing lodging for pilgrims.
5 Naked dressing.
6 Visiting prisoners.
7 Burying the deceased.

"A man who does not react to tribulations or injustices, and who does not strive to alleviate them, is not a man after the measure of the love of Christ's heart."
Pope Francis

Feed the hungry and give drink to the thirsty.

"He who has two coats, let him distribute them to those who have none; and he who has enough to eat, let him do the same" (Lk 3:11). These two works of mercy complement each other and refer to the help that we should procure in food and other goods for the most needy.

Providing lodging for pilgrims

It is not a common case nowadays, but it could happen that we receive someone in our home, not out of pure hospitality of friendship or family, but because of a real need.

Naked dressing

This work of mercy is directed to alleviate another basic need: clothing. Many times, it is made easier for us with the collections of clothes that are made in parishes and other centers. When it is time to give our clothes, it is good to think that we can give what we have left over or what is no longer useful, but we can also give what is still useful.

In the letter of James we are encouraged to be generous: "If a brother or sister is naked and lacking daily sustenance, and one of you says to them, 'Go in peace, be warmed or fed,' but you do not give them what is necessary for the body, what good is it?" James 2:15-16.

Visiting the sick

In this time of global pandemic this work of mercy takes on a strong meaning. It is about true care, both in terms of physical needs, as well as keeping them company and praying for the sick and the elderly. A good example from Sacred Scripture is the Parable of the Good Samaritan in the Gospel of St. Luke.

Visiting the incarcerated

It consists of visiting the prisoners and providing them not only with material help but also with spiritual assistance that will help them to improve as persons, to mend their ways, to learn to develop a job that can be useful to them when they finish the time assigned by the justice system. Today it is the priests and consecrated women who carry out this complicated task of solidarity, we must pray for the priests, accompany them and support them in this work of social solidarity.

Burying the deceased

Offering a mass for the deceased and burying the dead with dignity seems like a superfluous command, but it is not. In time of war, it can be a very demanding command. Why is it important to give a dignified burial to the human body? Because the human body has been the dwelling place of the Holy Spirit. We are "temples of the Holy Spirit". 1 Cor 6:19.

Spiritual Works of Mercy

1 Teaching those who do not know.
2 Give good advice to those who need it.
3 Correct the wrongdoer.
4 Forgive those who offend us.
5 To comfort the sad.
6 To suffer with patience the defects of others.
7 Pray to God for the living and the deceased.

"A Christian cannot dwell only on personal problems, for he must live with the universal Church in mind, thinking of the salvation of all souls."
Pope Francis

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Teaching those who do not know

"Those who teach righteousness to the multitude shall shine like the stars for ever and ever." (Dan 12:3b).

It refers to teaching on any subject: also on religious subjects. This teaching can be in writing or by word of mouth, by any means of communication or directly. Giving help and support to priestly formation is also a work of spiritual mercy.

Giving good advice to those who need it

One of the gifts of the Holy Spirit is the gift of counsel. Therefore, whoever intends to give good advice must, first of all, be in tune with God, since it is not a matter of giving personal opinions, but of giving good advice to those in need of guidance.

Correcting the wrongdoer

Fraternal correction is explained by Jesus himself in the Gospel of Matthew: "If your brother sins, go and speak to him alone and reproach him. If he listens to you, you have won your brother." (Mt 18:15-17).

To correct our neighbor we must do it with meekness and humility. Many times it will be difficult, but we can remember what the apostle James says at the end of his letter: "He who turns a sinner from his evil way will save his soul from death and obtain forgiveness for many sins" (James 5:20).

Forgiveness of insults

When we pray the Our Father we say "Forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us" and Jesus Christ tells us: "If you forgive the trespasses of men, the heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive the trespasses of men, neither will the Father forgive you". (Mt 6:14-15).

To forgive is to overcome revenge and resentment. It means treating kindly those who have offended us. The greatest forgiveness is that of Christ on the Cross, who teaches us that we must forgive everything and always: "Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do". (Lk 23:34).

Comfort the sad

Comfort for the sad person, for the one who suffers some personal difficulty or finds himself in a moment where he has to overcoming grief is another work of spiritual mercy. Often, it will be complemented by giving good advice, which will help to overcome those situations of pain or sadness. To accompany our neighbor at all times, but especially in the most difficult moments, is to put into practice the example of Jesus in the Gospel, who had compassion on the pain of others whenever he saw it.

To suffer with patience the defects of others.

Patience in the face of the defects of others is a virtue and a work of mercy. When bearing those defects causes more harm than good, with much charity and gentleness, a warning should be given.

Praying for the living and the deceased

St. Paul recommends praying for all, without distinction, also for rulers and persons in positions of responsibility. Prayer for priestly and religious vocations and the Pope's intentions. It is also important to pray for the deceased who are in the Purgatorypray for them and ask for plenary indulgence that their souls may be free from sin. 

Tucking in the weakness of others

Although it is certainly appropriate to give life to projects where we have the possibility of lending a hand, the usual terrain of mercy is a day-to-day work governed by the passion to help: what else can I do? who else can I involve? All this is mercy in action, without timetables, without calculations: "a dynamic mercy, not as a reified and defined noun, nor as an adjective that decorates life a little, but as a verb - to mercy and to be merciful". Francis, 1st meditation at the Jubilee of priests, 2-VI-2016.

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