The Catholic Works of Mercy (Corporal and Spiritual) The Catholic Church describes a collection of works of mercy to fulfill the great commandment to "love they neighbor." There are seven corporal works of mercy and seven spiritual works of mercy. The Corporal Works of Mercy The corporal works of mercy appeal to the physical needs of the body. Their foundation is in Jesus's teachings about the Last judgment in Matthew 25:31-46: "Then the king will say to those on his right, 'Come, you who are bl