Free Printable Corporal and Spiritual Works of Mercy Chart

About these works of mercy handouts

The works of mercy are a traditional list of ways to care for other people. The corporal works meet bodily needs: feed the hungry, give drink to the thirsty, clothe the naked, shelter the homeless, visit the sick, visit the imprisoned and bury the dead. The spiritual works meet needs of the heart and mind: instruct the ignorant, counsel the doubtful, admonish sinners, bear wrongs patiently, forgive offenses willingly, comfort the afflicted and pray for the living and the dead.

This chart prints the traditional wording of the two lists of seven, side by side, with numbers. The Catechism of the Catholic Church groups some of these works together in a single sentence, so other presentations may count them differently; this chart follows the familiar traditional seven. Students sometimes find the older wording unusual, such as admonish sinners, and the chart gives a teacher a place to begin a conversation about what the words mean today.

Use the chart to plan a service project: choose a work from the list, decide what the class can do, and record it. It also supports a Lenten unit, since almsgiving and care for others are common themes in that season. The chart carries a note that its wording has not yet been checked against a primary source, so confirm it against your own school's text before using it as a reference.

How to use them

1. Print the chart and read both lists aloud with the class.
2. Ask students to give an example of each work from their own lives or school.
3. Choose one corporal and one spiritual work as a class goal for the week.
4. Record what the class did on the chart or in a journal.
5. Revisit the list at the end of the unit and choose the next goal.

Classroom tips

• Translate the older wording into plain language together, such as admonish sinners meaning to gently correct someone.
• Link each work to a school or parish service the class can really do, such as a food drive.
• Let students illustrate one work as a poster, using symbols or scenes without faces if needed.
• Keep a class chart with a mark for each time the class puts a work into action.

Notes on this page

• The Catechism groups some works of mercy in one sentence, so the chart follows the traditional list of seven and seven.
• This chart has not been independently checked against a primary source. It is provided for informational purposes only. Please do your own research to verify it.

Last reviewed 2026-10-03. Handout Hero designs are original and made for this site. They are general reference material; check your own school, district or tradition where it matters.