“The Works of the Heart” – The Sixth Corporal Work of Mercy

A brief meditation by msgr. Paolo Giulietti, Archbishop of Lucca, on the sixth corporal Work of mercy, to live it concretely in everyday life.

«The works of the heart» is a booklet written by msgr. Paolo Giulietti on the occasion of the extraordinary Jubilee of Mercy convoked in 2015, when he was still auxiliary bishop of Perugia and Città della Pieve.

Ten years have passed, but the reflections of the current archbishop of Lucca regarding the Works of mercy remain timely.

The aim is to re-read these brief meditations on the fourteen works in order to bring them into everyday life: what spazio + spadoni calls the «ReEvolution of the works of mercy».

Visiting the imprisoned

Compared to a few decades ago, the sixth Work has become much more practicable: in implementation of art. 27 of the Constitution, it is easier for “external” people to access detention facilities.

In addition, a series of gradual release experiences are permitted to the inmate, aimed at social and professional reintegration.

Visiting the imprisoned now has two fields of implementation: the educational, occupational, and community activities inside penal institutions, for which professionals, artisans, artists, and entrepreneurs are often involved by associations and the prison administration; and the reintegration initiatives during and after detention, for which housing and employment support are often required.

Such possibilities demand a positive attitude from Christians toward those in prison: confidence in their recovery possibilities and in their will to build a new life.

Indeed, despite legislative progress, prejudice against those who have committed an offense—even while serving their sentence—remains strong and represents a fundamental barrier to their full redemption.

Image created digitally by spazio + spadoni

Source: Giulietti, P., Le opere del cuore