--- title: "Catholic Book Spotlight: The Work of Mercy" description: "Catholic Book Spotlight & Giveaway: The Work of Mercy" --- [![catholic-mom-logo-v2](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/images/catholic-mom-logo-v2.svg "catholic-mom-logo-v2")](https://www.catholicmom.com/) [![facebook](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-facebook.svg)](http://www.facebook.com/CatholicMomCommunity) [![twitter](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-twitter.svg)](http://twitter.com/CatholicMomCom) [![instagram](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-instagram.svg)](http://instagram.com/catholicmomcommunity) [![youtube](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-youtube.svg)](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCAuUqHCVPDzyMgSMaMZxxug?view_as=subscriber) [![search-icon](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/search-icon.svg)](https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/2012/05/18/catholic-book-spotlight-giveaway-the-work-of-mercy#) [BOOKS](https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/tag/books) # Catholic Book Spotlight: The Work of Mercy May 18, 2012 9:00:21 AM  |  by [Sarah Reinhard](https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/author/sarah-reinhard) If you're like me, when you hear the topic of Mark Shea's book *[The Work of Mercy: Being the Hands and Heart of Christ](http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1616360097/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=catholicmom&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=1616360097)*, you might wonder how it can be (a) enticing, (b) non-preachy, and maybe even (c) interesting. The topic, you ask? The corporal and spiritual works of mercy. My first thought, I'll admit, was that it can all be summed up in a poster. Who needs a whole book? But then I realized something: I don't really know much about the works of mercy. Do I know the ways to apply them? Am I able to identify them in my life (not counting the ever-present "feeding the hungry" that goes on around here)? Can I share them with my children, my students, my friends, in a way that's engaging and real-life? The answer before I read this book was a firm No, in some shape or another. The answer after, I hope, is closer to a Yes. The book has given me an interest and curiosity and desire for the works of mercy and an appreciation for how very integrated they should be in the Christian life. If you see this book and think "boring" in any way, shape, or form, let me just set things straight: you are WRONG. Shea does what he does so well: he engages the reader, makes the topic into something you never thought about, and gives you ways to apply it to your faith in tangible ways. It's not a long book, but it's deep in content and you'll find that it plants seeds of thought that you'll find flowering later. As you read it, you'll find it steeped in Church tradition and Scripture scholarship, in humorous anecdotes and ongoing wisdom, in practical application and challenging calls to action. Highly recommended and worth every minute you spend reading it. *Copyright 2012 Sarah Reinhard*     ### Share this article [![Share on Facebook](https://static.hubspot.com/final/img/common/icons/social/facebook-24x24.png)](http://www.facebook.com/share.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.catholicmom.com%2Farticles%2F2012%2F05%2F18%2Fcatholic-book-spotlight-giveaway-the-work-of-mercy%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dfacebook) [![Share on Twitter](https://static.hubspot.com/final/img/common/icons/social/twitter-24x24.png)](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?original_referer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.catholicmom.com%2Farticles%2F2012%2F05%2F18%2Fcatholic-book-spotlight-giveaway-the-work-of-mercy%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dtwitter&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.catholicmom.com%2Farticles%2F2012%2F05%2F18%2Fcatholic-book-spotlight-giveaway-the-work-of-mercy%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dtwitter&source=tweetbutton&text=Catholic%20Book%20Spotlight%3A%20The%20Work%20of%20Mercy) [![Share on Email](https://static.hubspot.com/final/img/common/icons/social/email-24x24.png)](mailto:?subject=Check%20out%20https%3A%2F%2Fwww.catholicmom.com%2Farticles%2F2012%2F05%2F18%2Fcatholic-book-spotlight-giveaway-the-work-of-mercy%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Demail%20&body=Check%20out%20https%3A%2F%2Fwww.catholicmom.com%2Farticles%2F2012%2F05%2F18%2Fcatholic-book-spotlight-giveaway-the-work-of-mercy%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Demail) ** #### About the Author ![Sarah Reinhard](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/Contriubutors/SARAH%20REINHARD.jpeg) ### [Sarah Reinhard](https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/author/sarah-reinhard) When she’s not chasing kids, chugging coffee, or juggling work, Sarah Reinhard’s usually trying to stay up read just one … more … chapter. She writes and works in the midst of rural farm life with little ones underfoot. She is part of the team for the award-winning *Catholic Mom’s Prayer Companion*, as well as the author of [a number of books](http://sarahreinhard.com/my-books/). ## Related Blog Articles [ Books, Hurting & Prayer with Sarah Reinhard Read ](https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/2018/08/24/books-hurting-prayer-with-sarah-reinhard/) [ Don't Forget: Tiny Blue Lines, Words of Pope Francis, & Catholic Men's & Women's Bibles Read ](https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/2014/02/05/dont-forget-enter-to-win-tiny-blue-lines-words-of-pope-francis-catholic-mens-womens-bibles) [ Fiction for Moms: Don't You Forget about Me and Angela's Song Read ](https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/2013/11/09/book-giveaway-dont-you-forget-about-me-and-angelas-song) ## Comments ## Donate now [![Support Catholic Mom](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/275132/10016573-1c5c-4aa5-baba-c2ac91fe7545.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/275132/10016573-1c5c-4aa5-baba-c2ac91fe7545) [![CatholicMom_hcfm_logo1_pos_871c_2728c (002)](https://www.catholicmom.com/hs-fs/hubfs/CatholicMom_hcfm_logo1_pos_871c_2728c%20(002).png?width=1806&height=731&name=CatholicMom_hcfm_logo1_pos_871c_2728c%20(002).png "CatholicMom_hcfm_logo1_pos_871c_2728c (002)")](https://www.catholicmom.com/) ##### Subscribe to Catholic Momcast on iTunes or Spotify [![itunes-logo-black](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/logos/itunes-logo-black.svg)](https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/catholic-momcast/id1362352357)[![spotify-logo-black](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/logos/spotify-logo-black.svg)](https://open.spotify.com/show/15CoipHL7z61IDcYErV0b8?si=hqaQJSxDQgq7S1hxCwsoxQ) ##### CatholicMom on Social Networks [![facebook](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-facebook.svg)](http://www.facebook.com/CatholicMomCommunity) [![twitter](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-twitter.svg)](http://twitter.com/CatholicMomCom) [![instagram](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-instagram.svg)](http://instagram.com/catholicmomcommunity) [![youtube](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-youtube.svg)](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCAuUqHCVPDzyMgSMaMZxxug?view_as=subscriber) ##### About Catholic Mom [Who We Are](https://www.catholicmom.com/about-us) [Contact Us](https://www.catholicmom.com/contact) [Support CatholicMom.com](https://www.catholicmom.com/support-us)   ##### Associated Links [Holy Cross Family Ministries](https://www.hcfm.org/) [Family Rosary](https://www.familyrosary.org/) [Family Theater Productions](https://www.familytheater.org/) [Congregation of the Holy Cross](https://www.holycrossusa.org/) [Father Patrick Peyton, C.S.C.](https://www.fatherpeyton.org/) [The Peyton Institute for Domestic Church Life](https://www.peytonfamilyinstitute.org/) ### **Stay connected!** Don’t miss a thing! 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