The Corporal and Spiritual Works of Mercy: Why they are Mandatory - Ask a Marian

We are saved only by God's grace, but we need to cooperate with that grace if we want to get to Heaven. Father Chris Alar, MIC, explains how we can do this.
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[@pattisiedlicki]

Thank you, Father Chris! I’ve learned to never underestimate the power of a smile, as it can give someone encouragement to carry on in a difficult time, even if it’s a total stranger. We don’t know what cross that person is carrying.

[@gerir8634]

Patti, my friend lost her husband, very young, very unexpectedly. She shared the story about how, at her lowest point, in the depths of grief, fighting despair, a person smiled at her while in line at the supermarket. It was so needed and appreciated. She took it as a sign of hope, that God was with her and all would be alright.

[@pattisiedlicki]

@@gerir8634 That’s beautiful! That person may never know on earth the impact she had on your friend, but in heaven she will. Thank you for sharing that!

[@gerir8634]

@@pattisiedlicki so simple and beautiful 💙🙏❤️

[@mmousepal2149]

Thank you Father Chris Alar for reminding and encouraging us to do what Jesus asked of us and Saint Faustina!! Diary #742 🥰💗 Deed. Word. Prayer. I love you Saint Faustina! 💓 All for love of the Lord! ❤️ God bless you always Father 😇✝️💜

[@Kushala16]

Let's all do these acts of Mercy!!!!

[@leonorb2290]

Amen!🙏🏻

[@susansullivan8835]

Amen 🙏🏼

[@ralph7545]

Another great short video. I need to learn and practice 'bear wrong patiently'. Lord have mercy on me, a sinner. 🙏

[@DivineMercy_Official]

Nice to see you again Ralph. God bless you my brother....

[@markchambers6306]

Fr Chris, your words always inspire me towards a more spiritual way of living

[@markchambers6306]

I'm in and join in your request from God on a daily act of mercy

[@DivineMercy_Official]

Awesome Mark... thank you for bringing God's mercy to others!

[@louiseboivin1524]

May God bless and protect you Fr Chris !! Priests like you is what the world needs mots ! Thank you for giving your Life for evangelization !!

[@kimberlylicavoli2076]

God bless you Fr. Chris! Something I've done since I was a child (I'm now 50) is whenever i pass a cemetery or funeral home I make the sign of the Cross and say, "Jesus, Mary and Joseph I love you, please save souls." I've taught that to my 4 daughters from when they were little. Now, I work in a funeral home and every time I work I pray for the souls of those in our care.

[@DivineMercy_Official]

Another great example :)

[@alexandermaciag377]

Have a blessed day

[@wendyflanagan5738]

Thank God for your blessed preaching and clearly Catholic guidance for all.

[@jonmernick780]

Thanks Fr Chris finally I know who Giuseppe is , a really good looking guy.

[@Givethanks24]

Thank You Fr. Chris. Inspirational. Baby J and Baby B. Care for the sick

[@nkotasimon4720]

Thank you Fr for sharing with us about the acts of mercy. I resolve to do so!

[@DivineMercy_Official]

Awesome Nikota.... God bless you!

[@jyotsanamurmu1122]

Thank u father Chris for helping us to live a holy life

[@DivineMercy_Official]

Thank you for responding to God's grace and God bless you!

[@MDkid1]

Thank you for everything you do Fr. Chris, I really appreciate it!

[@DivineMercy_Official]

Thank you for joining us and God bless you!

[@beckyholbrook7253]

My husband and myself going back to no meat Friday , thank you so much for reminding us of these acts of Mercy. I am going to help at a homeless shelter, run by Catholic charity. I already help at LifeHouse ; a home for pregnant homeless Moms. I love it.

[@DivineMercy_Official]

That is great Becky! God bless your efforts :)

[@maryconnor432]

Thank you Fr. Chris🙏✝️💒🇨🇦

[@jennjo822]

🌹Little acts of mercy 🌹not so little

[@reneetedesco9161]

Thank you Fr. Chris for always teaching us with much love, joy, passion and wisdom! I have learned so much from your talks! God bless you and all MIC Family! Thank you cameraman Guiseppe! You are awesome! God bless you!

[@DivineMercy_Official]

Thank you Renee for taking the time to join us. God bless you!

[@FreedomAndWisdom]

Thanks to you Father Chris for suggesting to do acts of Mercy this past Tuesday during Mass, because coincidently on that day I had terrible time dealing with my sons. However, I decided instead of being angry at my teenage sons for their rude behaviors earlier that day, I decided to perform an act of Mercy by making a tasty dinner along with saying grace and having a civil conversation. Overall, they were grateful, thanking me for providing them with a nice meal and calm conversation. Thanks to you I am living Devine Mercy and now I have been able to overcome feelings of anger and hurt. Father Chris, you are a great mentor, thank you again for all your hard work!

[@DivineMercy_Official]

Wow, Francesca, that is awesome! Thank you for sharing!

[@inahandbasket288]

That is so beautiful Francesca. My boys are all grown up now. The teen years are tough and you have Mary’s love in your heart for your teens. Cooking a favorite meal or letting them choose the dinner is such an easy Mom-way to love.

[@elhpasu]

Wow!!! I do needed to read this!!!

[@normangautreau4518]

Thanks Father Chris, I’m on board. God bless you..🙏

[@DivineMercy_Official]

Awesome Norman... God bless you!

[@rosetsolanet7045]

Teach us to not fear and trust

[@myteachermary7714]

Thank you Fr. Chris, sometimes I cannot fast on Friday, because usually that is the time to bond with friends, or family, so I thank God instead for all His bounty that He provides, while enjoying the food and fast on other days. I offer my thanks for the people who does not thank God.

[@arturomorelli8150]

My cameraman Jusseppe. Lol 😆 You're awesome

[@almeggs3247]

Congrats to you Father Chris! We should be over one million! That’s the true objective to the anger of Satan and his charges during this FEARDEMIC!

[@GucciBuns]

Thank you, Fr. Chris. Prayer can move mountains!

[@cbello77]

Thank you Father your topics are always so timely and on point. God Bless.

[@cathyviola3787]

Wow, what perfect timing! I just finished reading Fr. Gaitley’s book ‘You Did it to Me.’

[@SBL19681]

Cool I love when that happens!

[@jchearttreasures3794]

So happy you mentioned this book. I went and purchased it just now. Blessings

[@cathyviola3787]

@@jchearttreasures3794 There are some amazing prayers at the back of that book.😊

[@mmousepal2149]

Awesome! I love Father Gaitleys books, but that’s one I haven’t read! I’ll take your recommendation. 😊🌸

[@libertygiveme1987]

Thank-You Father Chris. You truly are an INSPIRATION!!!!

[@eileengolden5352]

Thanks Father Chris! I have been doing this every day since last Saturday. Now- I am constantly on the lookout every day to complete my work of mercy! God bless you and have a safe trip to Chicago.

[@DivineMercy_Official]

Wow, Eileen, that is awesome! You are a trooper for the Lord :)

[@mmousepal2149]

That’s awesome Elleen Golden!! You’re doing great! 💗💓 all for the Lord! 🥰

[@oliviadipasupil8423]

God bless you Father Chris 🙏

[@gracedelia8540]

Dear Father Alar, YOU are helping me and so many others help to make this world a better place AND are helping us get to heaven!!! Thank you Father!!!!!!!

[@DivineMercy_Official]

Thank you Grace for taking the time to watch and live your faith. God bless you!

[@brewsterandbuddyvanamerong7032]

Thank you Father Chris!

[@carmenhajjar5087]

Thank you Father Chris God bless you

[@lisanicholls2706]

Thank you

[@roseliganor6546]

Thank you Father Chris for all the enlightenment I learned a lot watching and listening to all your talks may God bless you and all Marian priest including your families,seminarians and all Marian helpers.Amen!

[@jutta7053]

Amen 🙏

[@divinegrace7223]

Thank you Father Chris

[@chermayo2190]

I may watch this several times, I need to memorize this. Ty

[@leonorb2290]

Thank you Father Chris for all these videos. Thank you Lord Jesus for placing in Father Chris’s heart for this video🙏🏻 The other day I was just thinking and asked our Blessed Mother and our Lord Jesus what else can I do to please the Lord and today I see this video. The Lord is so good to us and so merciful and always caling out to us to join him. I am definitely in and I’ve saved this video to watch every day for inspiration. God Bless you Father Chris, all the Marian helpers and to all who watched and will participate in this mission🙏🏻❤️

[@DivineMercy_Official]

That's great Leonor... God bless you!

[@estherlimon4150]

Thanks for your information today. It’s very helpful.

[@jenniferCastellano927]

Wow I was asking this sane question the other day.

[@lachellecab4236]

@Divine Mercy -Nice video Father Chris. So cool that you are yourself, fun, humble, so human and no pretenses :)) Thank you for guiding and leading us, your flock so well. We will continue to be Mercy Marines- prayer warriors and doers of acts of mercy. Have a great time in Chicago Father. See you in class again on Saturday.😇🕊🤍🌹

[@DivineMercy_Official]

See you then!

[@parysethibodeau9474]

Praying to change the world !!! It’s already working if you’re patient with & nice to G-Man lol I’ll pray for that for you 🙏😊

[@debkas5175]

Amen to that!

[@DivineMercy_Official]

LOL Haha. I told Gman he has a "fan club" :)

[@susanteope2171]

Fr. Chris i've learned a lot and its iam sharing your talk to our parishioners...THANK YOU VERY MUCH its a great HELP for me since iam a Catechist.. GOD BLESS YOU...!!!

[@DivineMercy_Official]

Thank you Susan and God bless you for helping share the message of mercy. What parish are you at? Let us know if we can help with material, teaching, etc. God bless!

[@margiedaniel894]

Waiting eagerly for your talk tomorrow, Fr Chris 😇🙏🏼🙏🏼

[@DivineMercy_Official]

See you then! :)

[@inahandbasket288]

Yes! Setting my phone alarm right now Margie. Thanks for the reminder. I knew there was a reason I always take a look at the comments.

[@margiedaniel894]

@@inahandbasket288 You’re most welcome, Ina. Praise God 😇🙏🏼

[@giftybotchway349]

Father Chris God bless you for the beautiful you have given ask you please to remember me i n your prayers and my children my daughter going to middle school now and I need a lot of prayers please remind me in your prayers in Jesus name thank you and God bless you

[@DivineMercy_Official]

Yes... God bless you too Gifty.

[@mcompton4874]

Amen! Prayers for all the world 🙏🙏🙏

[@evangelinehortense]

God bless us Amen.

[@gerir8634]

I am in! 🌹💙🙏❤️

[@DivineMercy_Official]

Way to go Geri! We knew we could count on you :)

[@mariarosariareho8163]

Thank you God Bless

[@piepeeya4604]

Father Chris, Do I have to say I am offering it up, or can I just do the act in humility? Thank You Lord for inspiring Father Chris to share the faith. Viva Christo Rey!

[@DivineMercy_Official]

Yes, maybe just do a simple morning offering for all the graces available that day.

[@ginger6287]

@@DivineMercy_Official Father, if you concentrated yourself to Mary, aren’t those works hers to do as she wills?

[@DivineMercy_Official]

@@ginger6287 Yes, she can distribute those graces.

[@ginger6287]

@@DivineMercy_Official I'm glad 😁🙏

[@janedanker1728]

@@DivineMercy_Official ,

[@SBL19681]

Thank you Fr.Alar for trying to help save the world! May God bless you abundantly always! And yes I am a Marian helper 😉 (if you ever need an extra hand for anything and I’m available I would love to help you!)

[@DivineMercy_Official]

Awesome Lucy, thank you for joining us!

[@traciewestbrook3974]

I would love some pamphlets to put out at church to help others learn and pass on how to do works of Mercy.

[@arneljr.maestrado5687]

Hi. Fr. Chris❤️

[@margueritelangton6362]

Please Fr Chris, create a DIGITAL version of that pamphlet that we can download? Thanks

[@inahandbasket288]

That would save on printing and mailing costs….we could print out a few as we might give them to others. Hey, another act of divine mercy right there!

[@avitarmagnus9090]

All is good after God sends Michael to purge the enemies of CHRIST !!!then we can do mercy!!!NOW ITS WAR to survive us under CHRIST!!!! THE CHRISTIAN SOLDIERS are MOUNTING FAST!! AMEN CHRIST IS KING of Everything Forever and nothing else!!lets be real no more sugar coating peace love and groovy thats over!!!!! AMEN

[@a.r.4093]

Sometimes I don't know how to "evangelize" to non-catholics without blatantly being forceful. For example, one of my friends is a non-Catholic, and is either Protestant or non-denominational. He respects that I'm Catholic it seems, but I don't really know how to basically say "Hey! Catholicism is the true faith, you should really look deeper into it!" in a way that doesn't come off as blatantly aggressive. Do I encourage him for seeking Christ, even if he's not Catholic? Or by encouraging him, am I doing something wrong because I'm reinforcing his non-Catholic status and enabling it? Ultimately, I want to help bring others to the Catholic faith, but I have a hard time finding the line between evangelizing and forcing my views. Sometimes, I don't even know where to start!

[@DivineMercy_Official]

Thank you J3. This covers all that. God bless. kzbin.info/www/bejne/jKjYpY2ig89jjrM

[@a.r.4093]

@@DivineMercy_Official I'll definitely check it out! Thank you, Father

[@freakylocz14]

I get it now! We are saved by faith in Christ, but not by faith ALONE, for faith without works is dead. But then that begs the question: What works? Not works of righteousness that we have done (observing the Law/works of the Law), rather salvation is by faith in Christ which works itself out in charity; "for I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me." As St. Paul said, "The righteous shall live by faith." Now THAT is salvation! 😇 For by grace you have been saved through faith; and not of yourselves. It is the gift of God- not of works, lest any man should boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them. (Ephesians 2:8-10)

[@susankeubar6175]

Corporal act of mercy e.g., to bury the dead.

[@inahandbasket288]

…Ah..?

[@joannemann723]

I am doing the nicest thing ever! Jesus showed up in my bedroom when I cried out to him asking why he gave me a miracle! I was asking why he saved my life I was a Catholic for 64 years. He told me to research the Catholic Church. I am here to tell you in love that you need to research the Catholic Church! Look up Constantine! I pray you follow up on this. Jesus told me I was chosen to work for him in yhrsr end days!! He told me to reach out to the Catholic people! I am praying for you!❤️

[@lisawynne5420]

"I was a Catholic for 64 years." If you were baptized and confirmed, then you are STILL a Catholic. You may consider yourself a non-practicing Catholic, but you are still a Catholic. That's imprinted on your soul. Are you asking people to research Constantine in an effort to pull them away from the Catholic Church? The One, Holy, and Apostolic Church?

[@parysethibodeau9474]

@@lisawynne5420 AMEN well said!!! Praying for Joanne if those are her intentions!!! Lord have mercy ✝️

[@mmousepal2149]

@Joanne Mann Ty for your concern! I’m a cradle Catholic and will always be Catholic. I pray you come back to the Fullness of the Truth. I have heard some people say the book Surprised by Truth by Patrick Madrid helps them understand any objections they have to the Faith. Check it out! Hope to see you back at Mass soon! Praying for you! God bless! 😊🌸🦋

[@wreckingcrew07]

That wasn’t Jesus. You need to go to Confession.

[@mariafideslayaoen6083]

Fr. Chris are there other works of mercy that someone like me can do apart from those already listed?

[@DivineMercy_Official]

Yes, as we said, there are many more examples. God bless.

[@inahandbasket288]

Any act you unselfishly do to aid or comfort someone; help and work with; share of your time or possessions, for example. All are acts of divine mercy. Time is at the core of Divine Mercy… the moments to smile, the minutes to pray, the half hour to help a neighbor, co-worker, or family member. The 10 minutes to write a quickie thank you note. The 2 minutes to return a shopping cart back to the store for a busy Mom or a Senior. I think the more we do it, the more it becomes ingrained in us. I think I will end up being a happier person too.

[@DivineMercy_Official]

@@inahandbasket288 Yes, good point :)

[@masterartist6786]

Ok Fr. got me I shall do this and watch the video again and again I do some of these things but didn't name them or ask anything for them is that called humility or just not knowing 🤔🕊🙏💫👱‍♀️💖

[@couchgamingnews9379]

Is it available digitally?

[@mariagabrielaalvaradoaceve8168]

Hi Father Chris, is it possible to post the Corporal and Spiritual Works of Mercy information in an online file that can be downloaded? This will help those of us who live outside the US to have them on-hand. God bless you and all the Marian priests and Helpers! Gaby

[@DivineMercy_Official]

We will look into it. Thx

[@Kushala16]

Father, Are you still selling a blessed image of Divine Mercy? If so how can I get one? God Bless

[@kcv7147]

On their website they have the link to their store, I bought a few of the canvas pictures and they are nice. I have the Divine Mercy one in the bright blue background ☺️

[@Kushala16]

@@kcv7147 Thanks

[@darleneolachea50]

I have a question, from what I know wearing leggings are a sin, would I need to admonish the sinner even if I don’t talk to that person that much who is wearing them as an act of spiritual mercy?

[@ruthmillican6550]

I have a question. If I consecrate myself to Mary can I still ask for the intersession of the saints?

[@DivineMercy_Official]

Yes, Ruth, absolutely :)

[@user-br9dk7gp3n]

All aborted babies ✝️ souls are saved Peace ☁️🕊️✝️🌹💦

[@FlorencioJrOrot]

Thank you For. Chris for the enlightenment. Just want to ask something...is it possible to have a sign language for the deaf community? My daughter is one and kept asking me what is this all about. Thanks again and God bless.

[@DivineMercy_Official]

THank you Florencio and prayers for you and all in the death community. Unfortunately we don't have that availability.... would it help if I turned on closed caption for her for a certain amount of time to watch it? The problem, however, and the reason we don't have it on, is because there are many errors. God bless you and you daughter!

[@inahandbasket288]

@@DivineMercy_Official ….some mistakes are maybe better than no access ? I don’t know. Shall we pray for a volunteer sign language “speaker” to arise and serve?

[@DivineMercy_Official]

@@inahandbasket288 Yes, we can pray. I should mention that the closed caption is not just "mistakes" but the words that come out are often very vile and vulgar and utterly disgusting... almost seems demonic. We couldn't keep it up because of that.

[@inahandbasket288]

@@DivineMercy_Official …then you are absolutely CORRECT…no CC for us!

[@DivineMercy_Official]

@@inahandbasket288 Yes, we will look more into it. It is baffling and seems to be evil. God bless you

[@donaldswitzer6541]

What do I say to Mormon missionaries who knock at my door and want to talk to me about the LDS Church? I would find it interesting to engage them in a comparison between the Catholic Church and the LDS Church. They are generally very nice and good people to interact with.

[@godisinchargesueowl8599]

I'm not an authority by any means ,but having been involved with these groups, is you ought to tell them that their Church was founded by a Freemason, and that their Church has freemason rites and that Scripture and Freemasonry do not go along . You can also dig up Joseph Smith and his sinful adulterous life as well . Yes some are very nice because most have been brought up that way , or fell for the deceit . Perhaps even Joseph Smith believed his own non sense . You have the Truth so it's up to you to point them in the right direction. When they ask you to watch a video with them , you might in turn ask them to watch Fr Chris 😊God bless you! ✌

[@DivineMercy_Official]

Yes, just ask who started both religions... Jesus and Joseph Smith. The choice seems easy. God bless you.

[@godisinchargesueowl8599]

Fr Chris has it very well here . They will say to that, that Joseph Smith is a prophet sent by God to bring new teachings. You can research Scripture where it speaks about false prophets that will cause apostasie in the Church. You can tell them that you your prophet is Jesus Christ, no one else . My advice is you can try to bring them to the faith , yet you should not keep entertaining them ,you will notice once you cut ties ,they will not be as nice . These young missionaries are not very knowledgeable in anything, not even their own faith ,because things are hidden from them ,in their own teachings. I just thought I'd add this to be helpful . These groups can be very convincing , so beware . God bless! Praise be Jesus Christ! God bless you Fr Chris for your awesome work!

[@mmousepal2149]

The Catholic Answers website has some great info. Check them out! 🙏🏼 Happy Evangelizing! God bless you. ✝️

[@blessingsuponblessings]

👀Look out Giuseppe 😂👀👀👀

[@sjp4u338]

I’m a cradle Catholic…and a very disgusted one. The only thing I still believe in is the Eucharist. Growing up…it was salvation one minute…hell the next. I no longer trust or love the Catholic Church but I’ll always love Jesus. I think there are a lot of things in the Catholic Church that aren’t biblical.

[@DivineMercy_Official]

Because something is not in the bible doesn't make it false doctrine. Please read the last chapter of John. Not everything is in the bible, even not all Jesus said and did. So are those things Jesus said and did that is not in the bible (per the last chapter in the Gospel of John) make it unbiblical? What does the Bible say about in vitro fertilization? What does the Bible say about human cloning? What does the Bible say about artificial intelligence? These are critically important moral issues that need to be addressed but are not in the Bible. That is why Christ established the Church, to guide man in areas that develop over time. The Church is not “man-made” but “God-made” as God’s authority passed down from his apostles. Sola Scriptura is not in the Bible but Apostolic Tradition is (2Thes2:15). God bless.

[@sjp4u338]

@@DivineMercy_Official I’m sorry but I went through hell as a child. I constantly thought I was literally going to hell….because of the things I was taught. You can imagine how that affected me….to this day. I can easily get triggered and go into a panic state. One minute we were safe….the next we were condemned to hell. It was horrible. The trust is gone forever but my love for and trust in the Father and the Eucharist is stronger than ever. With one horrendous scandal after another, seeing some of it up close….and being the victim of one sicko priest, I do not see Jesus Christ reflected in the Church today. The Church scares me to death. I do like Pope Francis. He’s about the only member of the magisterium who doesn’t terrify me. The rest I cannot be exposed to at all.