We practice Mercy through concrete acts of charity. The Church lists seven “corporal” and “spiritual” works of “mercy”, which must be performed by the faithful. The Corporal acts of Mercy are found in the work of education, hospice care, caring for the sick, feeding the hungry, visiting the imprisoned, looking after the lonely. This is the encounter Pope Francis talks about.
The seven spiritual works of mercy are to admonish the sinner, instruct the ignorant, counsel the doubtful, comfort the sorrowful, bear wrongs patiently, forgive all injuries, and pray for the living and dead.
A message of mercy brings people through the door to freely encounter the heart of Christ in the sacramental life of the church.