Septuagesima Sunday AD 2026
There are several ways to prepare for Lent and Easter. One of them is to practice the works of mercy. Church tradition recognizes seven corporal and seven spiritual works of mercy.
The corporal works of mercy are as follows:
To feed the hungry.
To give drink to the thirsty.
To clothe the naked.
To shelter the homeless.
To visit the sick.
To ransom the captive.
To bury the dead.
The spiritual works of mercy are:
To instruct the ignorant.
To counsel the doubtful.
To admonish sinners.
To bear wrongs patiently.
To forgive offences willingly.
To comfort the afflicted.
To pray for the living and the dead.
It is important to remember that we cannot buy God's mercy through acts of mercy – the Lord of the vineyard rewards everyone exactly as He wants, and we can be grateful that He does so out of goodness and love. However, it is necessary for us to practice works of mercy, because it is our chance to truly live in God’s mercy and grace. This is what we are called for, whether in the first hour or the last.