Works of Mercy

Books
  • A Lens on the Works of Mercy: Clare Agnew and her Legacy
    Annette Schneider (Dublin: Mercy International Association, 2019)
    This book gives a brief account of Clare Agnew’s life, information about her illustrations and the background context and contemporary material in relation to each work of mercy
    The book and a set of Clare Agnew’s illustrations of the Works of Mercy can be purchased from https://www.mercyworld.org/our-centre/shop-online/
  • Catherine McAuley: Works of Mercy
    Peter Connell (St Lucia: University of Queensland Press, 2011)
    This limited edition book contains the sketch and accompanying anecdotes for the sketches done by Clare Agnew in 1838/9. It also suggests some related quotes from Catherine McAuley’s writings.
    This resource is out of print but is available from the following libraries https://trove.nla.gov.au/version/175116695
  • The Works of Mercy
    Pope Francis; Forward by James Keenan (Maryknoll: Orbis Books, 2017)
    Selection of texts taken from by Pope Francis’ homilies, addresses and official teaching. Organised under the headings of each of the Works of Mercy, this book is a good resource which provides an insight into Pope Francis’ views on Mercy that teaches us to live mercy
  • The Works of Mercy: The Heart of Catholicism (3rd edition)
    James F. Keenan (Rowman & Littlefield Publishers, 2008)
    This book introduces readers to the seven corporal and spiritual works of mercy, then invites readers to explore mercy in their everyday lives.
    The third edition features more inclusive language for readers of all faith backgrounds or none, new case studies, and new material on how Pope Francis and his papacy reflects on mercy.
  • The Blessing of Mercy: Bible Perspectives and Ecological Challenges
    Veronica Lawson (Australia: Morning Star Publications, 2015)
    An ecological exploration of mercy in the Bible, connecting intentionally with Pope Francis’ encyclical Laudato Si and his proclamation of an Extraordinary Jubilee of Mercy
  • Mercy in the City
    Kerry Weber (Chicago: Loyola Press, 2014)
    Story of a lay Catholic in New York trying to practise the Corporal Works of Mercy in a 24/7 city of 8 million people
Articles
  • The Eight Works of Mercy
    Thinking Faith: The online journal of the Jesuits in Britain
    Explains Pope Francis’ declaration of “Care for our common home” as the 8th corporal and spiritual work of mercy
    https://www.thinkingfaith.org/articles/eight-works-mercy
  • Mercy
    Various authors; Lisa Sowle Cahill, Diego Irarrázaval, and João Vila-Chã (ed) (Glen Rock, N.J., 2017)
    Concilium is a theological journal, and this particular issue (4th in 2017) is dedicated to the mercy theme.  Articles are by different authors and about 10 A5 pages long each.  Articles are not restricted to Christian theology and includes articles such as Manifestations and Scope of God’s Mercy in the Qur’an.
Other Resources