This is the third installment in our series. The seven Corporal Works of Mercy help
others live a life of dignity and provide them with the necessities of life. So far, we’ve
looked at Feed the Hungry, Give Drink to the Thirsty, and Visit the Sick. This week, we
turn to Clothe the Naked.
Probably the oddest aspect of this work of mercy lies in the fact that most of us never encounter naked people. We might see people in shabby clothes, but not without! So, as we did with other items in the list of Corporal Works, some broadening of our definition is needed.
Start with realizing that the root issue of the corporal works is providing the necessities for others . For most of the year in Florida, one doesn’t need much clothing to be comfortable. In winter, however, more is needed. A person wearing only shorts and at-shirtin50-degree weather is, in practical terms, naked.
Fashion, of course, isn’t a primary issue here and you might be forgiven for thinking that providing quality clothing is not part of this work. But most of us know from experience that we feel better about ourselves when we are dressed well. Would that also not be true of a poor person? While they can get by with rags, we can help their self-worth– help them see their goodness in God’s eyes– by providing something better. And a person trying to rebuild their life needs better clothes for job interviews and work.
Don’t forget to record your Acts of Mercy this week!

Seek Conference
Lent is a great time to clean out a closet or dresser drawers. In 7: An Experimental Mutiny Against Excess, Jen
Hatmaker writes about realizing the large amount of clothes she owned and her stewardship journey to do
better. You and Ican take a similar step. It won’t take long and, if you donate the clothes to the St. Vincent
de Paul thrift store located near thechurchon3rd Street; you’ll be helping the needy in two ways. First, they
provide free clothes from referrals and second, the money earned at the store are divided
between St. Anne and other nearby St. Vincent de Paul conferences.

This is the second installment in our series. The seven Corporal Works of
Mercy help others live a life of dignity and provide them with the necessities
of life. Last week we looked at Feed the Hungry and Give Drink to the Thirsty.
Today, we’ll dig into Visit the Sick.
Statistics reveal that loneliness is a significant problem in our society. Our
computers and phones connect us to others in ways unimaginable just a few
years ago. Ironically, those same devices contribute to isolation and loneliness. God made us to be in
relationship with others and while technology can help, it can’t replace in-person contact.
With that in mind, perhaps you can see that “visit the sick” involves more than being with those who are
physically ill. Here’s a short list of things to consider.
· Visit friends and neighbors who are sick.
· Visit friends and neighbors who are lonely.
· Organize a small gathering for people who don’t socialize often.
· Invite others to parish events.
· Be on the lookout for those sitting by themselves at parish events then invite them to join you.
· Volunteer at a hospital or assisted living facility, meeting and talking with those you meet.
· Provide companionship or housekeeping for the elderly who can’t easily leave their home.
· Become an Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion and take our Lord to the sick and those
who can’t attend Mass.
· If you can’t visit in person, call or send a handwritten greeting card to someone who is sick or
without companionship.
Seek Conference
This will take time and, for those who are not naturally outgoing, some effort, but the reward will be worth it,
both for the person you help and for you!