The works of mercy are acts of charity through which the faithful come to the aid of their neighbors in their physical and spiritual needs. Rooted in the Gospel and Christian tradition, they are divided equally into two categories of seven: the corporal works of mercy, which address the material needs of the individual (such as feeding the hungry or sheltering pilgrims), and the spiritual works of mercy, which are directed toward the well-being of the soul (such as counseling the doubtful or forgiving offenses). Practicing them means translating faith into concrete acts of love, solidarity, and social justice.
WE FLOOD
The Works of Mercy are the concrete foundation of the path proposed by OPERA M and serve as a living reminder to rediscover the heart of the Gospel. They are not merely gestures, but a way of life that invites each of us to recognize Christ in others—especially in the most vulnerable, the poor, and those who suffer or are forgotten.
It is precisely through these works that we are called to put the truth of our faith to the test, translating it into daily actions of hospitality, listening, sharing, and forgiveness.
It is through this concrete encounter between spirituality and life that a community is born—one capable of awakening consciousness, caring for others, and fostering genuine hope.
THE 14 WORKS OF MERCY
Learn more about the Spiritual Works of Mercy
1 – Counsel the doubters
Everyone goes through moments of uncertainty. Offering advice to those who are uncertain means listening to them, shedding light on their situation, and being there for them—without taking away their freedom. In the reEvolution of the Works of Mercy, the recipient of mercy is not merely someone who receives advice: he or she becomes the protagonist of a journey of discernment that helps him or her recognize the good that is possible and rediscover trust in himself or herself, in others, and in God.
2 – Teach the ignorant
Insegnare agli ignoranti significa condividere conoscenza, esperienza e sapienza affinché nessuno resti escluso dalla possibilità di comprendere e crescere. Non si tratta di trasmettere nozioni dall’alto verso il basso, ma di generare consapevolezza. Il misericordiato scopre talenti, capacità e responsabilità che forse non aveva mai riconosciuto, diventando a sua volta portatore di luce per altri.
3 – Admonish sinners
Admonishing sinners is an act of love that springs from the desire to see the other person get back on their feet. It does not consist in judging, but in accompanying, with truth and mercy, those who have lost their way. The re-evolution of the Works of Mercy invites us to look beyond the mistake: the person shown mercy is someone called to rediscover their dignity and the real possibility of starting afresh, not least through the promotion of the works of mercy.
4 – Console the afflicted
To console those who are afflicted means to be present alongside those who are suffering, without claiming to take away their pain. A word, a shared silence, or an outstretched hand can restore hope. The person who receives mercy is not defined by their wound: through a merciful encounter, they can rediscover inner resources, new relationships rooted in mercy, and the certainty that they are not alone on life’s journey.
5 – Forgive offenses
Forgiving offences is one of the highest forms of freedom. It does not mean forgetting or condoning wrongdoing, but breaking the cycle of hatred and revenge. From the perspective of reEvolution, the one shown mercy is not merely the one who receives forgiveness: they are a person who can be freed from the burden of the past and who, in turn, can rediscover the possibility of building merciful and fruitful relationships.
6 – Patiently put up with troublesome people
Every community is characterised by fragility, differences and limitations. Patiently putting up with troublesome people means choosing understanding over intolerance and connection over exclusion. This approach teaches us to recognise that every person has value. Those shown mercy are not labelled for their faults, but welcomed as key players in a new journey of shared growth.
7 – Pray to God for the living and the dead
Praying for the living and the dead means recognising that no one is alone and that every life is held within a greater communion. Prayer becomes a bridge that unites generations, peoples and histories. In the re-evolution of the Works of Mercy, the recipient of mercy is touched by an invisible yet real closeness, which sustains them in the present and draws them into a hope that transcends time.
Learn more about the Corporal Works of Mercy
1 – Feed the hungry
Feeding the hungry means recognising that bread is a right rather than a gift. But hunger is not just physical: there is also a hunger for dignity, for a listening ear and for opportunities. Those who receive mercy must not remain dependent on the help they receive; the reEvolution of the Works of Mercy seeks to make them the protagonists of their own redemption and autonomy.
2 – Give drink to the thirsty
Water is life. Giving drink to the thirsty means safeguarding one of humanity’s most precious resources and making it accessible to all. This work also invites us to consider our inner thirst for meaning, justice and hope. The person shown mercy is not merely the recipient of material aid: they are someone who can return to living life to the full and become a source of life for those around them.
3 – Clothe the naked
Clothing the naked means restoring protection, dignity and a sense of belonging. A garment can cover the body, but it can also help a person feel welcomed and recognised once more. The re-evolution of the Works of Mercy reminds us that the recipient of mercy is not defined by their poverty: they are a person with a story, a face and a future that deserve respect and recognition.
4 – Host pilgrims
Welcoming strangers means creating spaces for encounter and overcoming the fear of the other. Every person who arrives brings with them suffering, dreams and riches to share. The recipient of mercy is not a stranger to be helped, but a brother or sister to be met. A brother who meets new brothers and sisters. The re-evolution of the Works of Mercy transforms hospitality into a relationship that enriches both parties.
5 – Visiting the sick
Visiting the sick is a way of affirming that no illness can diminish a person’s worth. Simply being there, listening and showing closeness become medicine for the soul. The recipient of mercy is not defined by their physical frailty: they are a person capable of giving, teaching and bearing witness to hope. Mercy restores a sense of importance to those who risk being forgotten.
6 – Visit the prisoners
Visiting prisoners means recognising that every person is greater than their mistakes. Mercy does not deny justice, but always opens a path to redemption and change. In the re-evolution of the Works of Mercy, the person shown mercy is seen as the protagonist of a possible rebirth, capable of rediscovering responsibility, dignity and a future.
7 – Bury the dead
Burying the dead means honouring the unique value of every life right up to its very last moment. It is an act of respect, remembrance and hope. Through this act, the community affirms that no one should be forgotten. The departed continue to speak through the good they have sown, whilst the living are called upon to transform that memory into gratitude and a sense of responsibility towards the future.
What is Opera M?
Opera M is the reEvolution of the works of mercy. It is a permanent tool for developing a strong and renewed vision of these works throughout the world.
It stems from an urgency strongly felt by spazio + spadoni to reEvolve the concept of works of mercy as a journey that is always simultaneously both human and divine, and therefore, always spiritual as well as practical (or corporal). The rediscovery, or rather, the true reEvolving of these works must be found within this synthesis between the spiritual aspect and the practical act.
Material work must always be imbued with spirit.
The reEvolution of the works of mercy can be regarded as the charism of Opera M
Pray through works, for works, with works.
We must train our bodies and spirits to guide our steps along the path of the WoM. Without constant prayer, we will not be able to do so. Prayer is both a gift and an act; prayer is opening up communication with my deepest self and with God; prayer calls upon the Spirit, who, in turn, inspires and animates the WoM. Every action of Opera M must be anticipated, prepared for and sought through prayer. If our work with the WoM is not sustained by prayer, it will lose its meaning and will be unable to bring about true change. Those who work in Opera M must be convinced that they are instruments in God’s hands and that they need their Creator to have dignity, purpose and the strength to act.
Promoting missionary work through mercy
To have a missionary spirit, one must
- to reach out to others
- to welcome others as if they were Jesus
- to recognise God’s mercy
- to do as He did
- to proclaim and bear witness to Jesus through our lives
The Works of Mercy are the most effective means of showing God’s infinite mercy.
To make works accessible to everyone once again, in a spirit of mutuality
These works belong to everyone and are within everyone. We are humble women and men, but within each of us lies the capacity, through the OdM, to achieve great things. If we imbue our actions with spiritual meaning, the potential for greatness—which belongs to everyone and to each of us as children of God, regardless of faith, culture or social class—will bear fruit that leads to salvation. In this missionary vision, the concept of universality means opening ourselves up in order to learn, understand and build new spaces for witness.
Organisation
Opera M embraces the ethos of flocks. It organises itself, moves and grows through the contribution of everyone, just like birds soaring through the skies, where each bird flies in unison with the others to become part of a single entity. It is the perfect balance of this cohesion that gives the whole its meaning and strength. Like a flock, Opera M is not hierarchical but distributes the burden and the honour of creating the flight pattern in the sky amongst everyone. A virtuous system in which one need only follow simple rules to achieve collective movement.
In its day-to-day operations, Opera M relies on an organisational framework designed to ensure that activities run smoothly, swiftly and effectively, without any overlap of roles and in the common good.
SENIOR
They are the central support of OPERA M. They meet at least once a month but are constantly in contact with each other, participate in the initiatives of spazio + spadoni, and contribute to the specific training of the other support levels (LINKER in particular).
They are required to undergo training in missionary work and the WoM. They work alongside the founder to define the content and methods to be used in spreading the message of Opera M.
LINKER
He is the manager of Opera M across a large area that may even span several countries. He must possess certain essential skills and qualities
- getting to know spazio + spadoni, HIC SUM and Opera M
- to get to know the WoM, to pray them, to live out their spirit and bear witness to them
- to understand the local area, and to know how to engage with others by fostering a spirit of communion and synodality in relations with the wider community (authorities and leaders of various organisations) and the religious community (bishops, parish priests, religious congregations and groups)
- to be open-minded towards all people and young people, and to be able to engage them through leadership skills; to possess skills in assertive communication, problem-solving and conflict management, with a view to offering fraternal correction
- understand the social economy; be able to plan and organise
- to be familiar with the civil laws and religious traditions of the area
- to be familiar with the charisms of the Congregations and Groups with which it has links
The LINKER maintains constant (weekly/bi-weekly) contact with spazio + spadoni and the SENIORS from whom they receive initial training. In agreement with spazio + spadoni, they periodically organize the territorial Forum, identify the tools, and manage their distribution. The LINKER maintains constant contact with the AMBASSADORS – up to 12 – with whom they are connected, managing their initial training and organizing their training on the Works of Mercy every six months.
AMBASSADOR
This is the person appointed by the religious congregation or other organisation to promote Opera M within their area of responsibility, however large or small that may be; at the same time, the appointment of a deputy is also required. The AMBASSADOR appoints a CONSUL for each community within their area.
A similar support role is provided to other groups.
An AMBASSADOR must possess certain essential skills and qualities
- getting to know spazio + spadoni, the organization of OPERA M with the various figures, roles, and functions
- to get to know the WoM, to pray them and to live out their spirit, bearing witness to it
- to familiarise oneself with the local area, the activities taking place there, the organisations, the people and national legislation, particularly that relating to the protection of children
Undergoes basic training managed by the LINKER and/or the central structure of spazio + spadoni. They can also further explore aspects such as
- interpersonal skills for applying servant leadership within a synodal framework
- skills in planning and organisation
- communication skills at various levels
- a sense of service, humility and creativity
The AMBASSADOR
- works in collaboration with both the relevant LINKER and the Community CONSULS
- interacts with the other AMBASSADORS
- promotes the charism of its own Congregation / Organisation through the WoM, fostering integration with the spirit and work of Opera M
- coordinates with the CONSULS on operational strategies and relations with priests, catechists and other community leaders
- identifies opportunities to develop HIC SUM projects
- follows the HIC SUM projects of their own Congregation / Organisation
- helps to coordinate the organisation of the local forums
- Promotes and manages the training of the CONSULS, also with the support of the LINKER and/or the central structure of spazio + spadoni
- oversees the preparation by the CONSULS of information and articles for the Mission magazine
The AMBASSADOR maintains constant contact with spazio + spadoni and the LINKERS. They periodically organize meetings with the territorial CONSULS.
CONSOLE
This is the person appointed by the Congregation / Organisation and tasked with promoting Opera M within the relevant community and in the local area where it operates. They are the first point of contact for carrying out activities in the local area through Opera M, playing a leading role in working with the community to identify specific needs, select projects and evaluate outcomes.
The CONSOLE is responsible for liaising between Opera M and the parish, the associations and any local organisations.
The CONSOLE must possess certain essential skills and characteristics
- getting to know spazio + spadoni, the organization of Opera M with the various figures (roles and functions) and having awareness of one’s own role
- to understand the WoM and the spirit that animates them; to pray them and to live out their spirit, bearing witness to it
- getting to know the local area, the activities on offer, the organisations and the people
- developing a sense of belonging to OPERA M and to the spazio + spadoni network
- to embody the ethos of street-based education, to stand alongside others, to listen, and to work in unity, together
- work alongside the designated AMBASSADOR and LINKER, as well as the other CONSULS
- to identify opportunities to develop HIC SUM projects within their own community and to monitor their implementation on an ongoing basis
- to strengthen the charism of the Congregation / Organisation to which it belongs through the activities necessary for the development of Opera M and the WoM
- to coordinate, in collaboration with the AMBASSADOR, operational strategies and relations with priests and local church groups (catechists, choir members, schools, families, etc.), thereby enabling the whole community to be revitalised through the WoM, which become Community WoM
- to share the experiences of OPERA M that arise from community life and creativity, welcoming, with passion and patience, anyone whom God chooses to place in their path
- to help organise the local forum
- to oversee the drafting of information and articles for the online magazine Mission and to publicise local news via the local media (newspapers, radio, etc.)
- to commit to acquiring specific skills relevant to the projects carried out and to the social enterprise created through HIC SUM
The CONSOLE provides basic training – promoted and organised by the AMBASSADOR – covering both theory and practice, during which participants develop interpersonal skills to apply servant leadership within a synodal framework, skills in planning and organisation, communication skills at various levels, and a sense of service, humility and creativity.
The CONSOLE maintains regular contact with the AMBASSADORS, from whom he receives his initial training.
The method
The method at Opera M is fundamental. It shapes both the practitioner’s approach to the projects and the way in which these projects take shape and are moulded throughout the process. This process is to be understood as active and dynamic, ranging from raising awareness in local communities to the creation of works that embody a spirit of compassion.
The works of a merciful community are, however, ‘handcrafted’: no two are alike; our hands may shape them using a common method, but each takes on a different form. And this is why we can bring about a true cultural reEvolution, starting precisely from having a methodological framework to guide us, and then acting to create a different ‘artifact’ each time, with simple gestures that reach both the body and the spirit – that is, people’s lives.
For Opera M, ‘attitude’ refers to the approach, whilst ‘how’ refers to the practical work.
Approach
The framework of the Opera M method is based on four key concepts.
01
Synodality
Synodality means developing reflection, synthesis and proposals together with others, not merely as a gesture of respect but as an irreplaceable element of communion and of sharing in the journey of Opera M. Works of mercy cannot be brought about without a constant desire for shared participation, which requires time for mutual listening; nurturing relationships; and the ability to question one’s own certainties in a genuine and fruitful encounter with the thoughts of others.
02
Support
A work of art is not merely performed; it is experienced together.
To accompany means to share in the opera as it unfolds, placing oneself in a state of mutual and ever-renewed discovery with the opera itself and the people who bring it to life. To do this, we must become aware of our own fragility and insecurity in the face of a reality that we can truly understand only through the lived experiences of others. Only in this way does it become an exchange between fragile beings, placing each of us in a position of giving and receiving at the same time.
03
Fraternity in practice
Fraternity does not mean the same thing as brotherhood, let alone solidarity. It is a transcendent concept based on a sense of universal belonging.
A fraternal society is, by its very nature, one of solidarity. But a society based on solidarity may not necessarily be fraternal.
Fraternity is horizontal; it comes from below: we are united by a bond because we belong to the same community or the same species. In fraternity, the horizontal dimension is combined with the vertical one; people recognise themselves, or seek to recognise themselves, in a shared divine parenthood.
In Opera M, the concept of brotherhood therefore implies a conscious willingness to see oneself as a child of a single father. This is why we speak of ‘practised fraternity’.
04
The perspective of the dignity of all people
We are all ordinary men and women, but if we imbue our actions with spiritual meaning, we become capable, through the WoM, of achieving great things, regardless of our beliefs, culture or social class. And everyone carries out WoM, often without realising it.
No one is so poor that they cannot perform one of the 14 works of mercy.
For this reason, in Opera M, a Millennium Development Goal (MDG) cannot be achieved unless everyone is made aware of their own ‘potential for greatness’ in helping to promote the WoM around the world.
Fieldwork
From a methodological perspective, fieldwork can be viewed from two angles: that of vision and that of practice.
The vision
The vision is to view Opera M not only as a process linked to the immediate objective – as specified in the WoM – but also as a tool that nurtures and fosters the fruitfulness, realisation and proliferation of potential works;
a process therefore also aimed at multiplying potential beginnings.
The practice
The practice lies in the style and rhythm we choose to give to the development of Opera M’s processes.
- We can achieve more by building a process that takes a collective yet unique and specific approach in each community and region, through a step-by-step process that gradually involves everyone
- Reference is made to the roles and support functions defined in the ‘Organisation’ chapter
- We adopt a community-based approach, viewing our neighbours – our fellow citizens, in fact – as the first individuals or groups to be involved and made aware, by developing a language that is understandable and shared by all
- A generative process is set in motion across the regions, calling on people to get involved and contribute to OPERA M; freely, with varying degrees of intensity and in different ways depending on the people, the location and the circumstances
Tools and guidelines
The toolbox
spazio + spadoni has created and constantly maintains a variety of operational tools and guidelines/suggestions available to everyone to promote OPERA M at various levels. Most of these “tools” are multilingual.
The shape of Opera M
It is represented by a hand. Each finger of the hand leaves a FINGERPRINT that evokes a concept considered necessary and essential whilst working, so that the action takes on a sense of fulfilment and is, in turn, capable of positively influencing others.
The five imprints constitute the Opera M Form
- INVOKE
- LISTEN
- MEET
- WE OPERATE
- WE FLOOD
The symbol
The scarf is a distinctive feature of Opera M volunteers and symbolises their membership, identity and the values of the group. It consists of a square piece of fabric to be worn rolled up around the neck.
Wearing the scarf signifies a commitment to and promotion of merciful service, spiritual growth and a dedication to spreading the works of mercy.
The colours of Opera M
RED is the colour of energy and strength. It is a driving force behind the reEvolution of the Works of Mercy.
WHITE always represents a new beginning: a blank page on which we can begin to write our story together.
GREY is the colour of prayer and the fraternal solidarity of Opera M.
The motto of Opera M
“God’s mercy is at work”.
The reply is:
“Always!”
This motto comes to mind whenever we say hello, whenever we want to remember a message or convey a feeling.
Prayer of the artisans of the works of mercy
Lord, make me a servant
of your mercy,
so that,
through the corporal and spiritual works of mercy,
I may bring the tenderness of your love
to all those in need.
Amen!
Short prayer
Spirit of mercy, here I am; inspire our deeds.
Timeline of the Works of Mercy
- THE 1ST CENTURY – THE GOSPEL
In Matthew 25:31–46, it is Jesus himself who – in the so-called ‘Last Judgement’ discourse – identifies what are unanimously regarded as the original references to the WoM. - THE SECOND CENTURY – ERMA
It sets out 20 acts of kindness and virtuous dispositions, not merely as actions but as states of mind and ways of relating to others. - 150–200 – ST IRENAEUS OF LYON
He comments on Matthew 25, arguing that giving to the needy is the same as giving to God. - 200–250 – ORIGEN
He offers an allegorical interpretation of Matthew 25, emphasising the importance of nourishing both the body and the soul. - 250–300 – LATTANZIO
He presents a list similar to what would later become the traditional list of ‘works of mercy’. He encourages the development of the concept and practice of inductive works of mercy. - 3rd CENTURY – CYPRIAN OF CARTHAGE
In his treatise, he emphasises that prayer must be accompanied by good works. - 347–407 – ST JOHN CHRYSOSTOM
He introduces the concept of the ‘Sacrament of the brother’. - 354–430 – ST AUGUSTINE OF IPPONA
He established the two forms of works of mercy – corporal and spiritual – based on the concept of ‘giving and forgiving’, and grouped them into three categories: reconciliation, the call to be attentive to the spiritual needs of one’s neighbour, and prayer. - 470–542 – CESAREO OF ARLES
He reflects on charity, emphasising the importance of giving despite one’s personal limitations. - 604 – POPE GREGORY THE GREAT
He affirms the spiritual and material interpretation of the works of mercy, with reference to Job 29:12–13. - 1050–1107 – THEOPHILACT OF OHRID
In his commentary on Matthew 25, he emphasises the dual nature of the human being (soul and body) and the need for charity in both forms. - 1179 – COMESTORE
Adds the seventh corporal work of mercy, ‘burying the dead’, taken from Tobit 1:17. - 1244 – SAINT PETER THE MARTYR
Amidst the flourishing of Marian confraternities and societies, Fra Pietro da Verona founded the first Misericordia in Florence, dedicated to ‘honouring God through works of mercy towards one’s neighbour’ - 1274 – THOMAS AQUINAS
He confirms the list of works of mercy, including the seven corporal works (with the seventh taken from the Book of Tobit) and the seven spiritual works. - 1549–1563 – COUNCIL OF TRENT
It emphasises that the works of mercy are a natural and necessary expression of faith in God and love for one’s neighbour. - 1908 – POPE PIUS X
In the Catechism of the Catholic Church, he summarises the 14 works of mercy discussed at the National Catechetical Congress of 1889. - 1992 – CATECHISM OF THE CATHOLIC CHURCH
It states that the works of mercy are acts of charity which help one’s neighbour in their needs, whether physical or spiritual. - 1992 – POPE JOHN PAUL II
He approved the Catechism of the Catholic Church, which was finalised in 1995; the section entitled ‘Formulas of Catholic Doctrine’ lists the 14 works of mercy. - 2005 – POPE BENEDICT XVI
Motu Proprio approving and publishing the Compendium of the Catholic Church. - 2015 – POPE FRANCIS
On 13 March, he proclaimed the Extraordinary Jubilee of Mercy through the papal bull Misericordiae Vultus. - 2023 – SPAZIO SPADONI
In September, it promotes OPERAM through forums on the re-evolution of the works of mercy in Italy – Noto, Sicily – and in Africa – Benin (Cotonou) and Burkina Faso (Bobo-Dioulasso).
italiano
français
english
español
português
A Tangible Sign: The Diocesan Office for Works of Mercy
The impact of the Opera M Forums is already evident in many church communities. A notable example is that of the The Diocese of Bafia, in Cameroon, where the Bishop has established, for the first time anywhere in the world, a The Diocesan Office for the Promotion of Works of Mercy, headed by a nun. This is a tangible sign of the potential of the process set in motion by the Forums lasting and well-structured outcomes, capable of leaving a lasting impact on communities.
Current OPERA M projects
Project M1
D.R. Congo
Sister Audacieuse Kahababo
Missionary Congregation of the Sisters of Saint Gemma
Project M2
Nigeria
Sister Beatrice
Congregation of the Handmaids of the Holy Child Jesus
Project M3
Nigeria
Sister Justina Obiageli Udebunjo
Congregation of the Handmaids of the Holy Child Jesus
Project M4
India
Sister Latha Selvaraj
Congr. Franciscan Sisters of St. Thomas
Project M5
Ivory Coast
Sister Bernadette Wasso
Missionary Congregation of the Sisters of Saint Gemma
Project M6
Burundi
Sister Hyacinthe Manariyo
Congrégation des Sœurs du Cœur Immaculé de Marie – Bene Mariya Sisters
Project M7
Nigeria
Sister Maria Zake Abang
Servants of the Holy Child Jesus
Project M8
D.R. Congo
Sister Perpetue Marie Tongolo Siamu
Sœurs Dominicaines Filles de Sainte Catherine de Sienne
Project M11
Mexico
Sister Perla Helena Hernandez Alvarado
Misioneras Catequistas de los Sagrados Corazones de Jesùs y de Marìa
Project M13
Uganda
Sister Christine Mweteise
Sisters of Our Lady of Good Counsel
Project M14
Kenya
Sister Joan Langat
Sisters of St. Joseph of Mombasa
Project M15
Rwanda
Sister Esperance Nyirasafari
Fraternité des Consacres de la Communauté Ingoro Y’Urukundo (Demeure de la Charité)
Project M16
D.R. Congo
Sister Annie Mate Saliboko
Soeurs de la Sainte Famille de Kisangani
Project M18
Timor Est
Sister Ansila Feot
Institute of the Daughters of St. Francis
Project M20
Rwanda
Sister Esperance Nyirasafari
Fraternité des Consacres de la Communauté Ingoro Y’Urukundo (Demeure de la Charité)
Project M22
Madagascar
Sister Esther Ravaosolo
Congregation of the Sacred Heart of Jesus in Ragusa
Project M26
Malawi
Sister M. Blandina Kamba
Presentation of the Virgin Mary Sisters
Project M27
Benin
Suor Sophie Bayi Godovo
Institut des Servantes de la Lumière du Christ
Project M28
Burundi
Sister Petronie Toyi
Institut Famille des Disciples du Christ
Project M29
Cameroon
Sister Marie Noelle Messini
Missionary Congregation of the Sisters of Saint Gemma
Project M30
Burundi
Sister Marie Assumpta Ndiragabanya
Congrégation des Sœurs du Cœur Immaculé de Marie – Bene Mariya Sisters
Project M33
Central African Republic
Sister Myriam Bengba
Daughters of Mary Missionaries
Project M35
D.R. Congo
Sister Francine Mave Ditsove
Religieuses de l’Instruction Chrétienne
Project M41
Burundi
Sister Hyacinthe Manariyo
Missionary Family of the Redemption
Project M42
Zimbabwe
Sister Jenlindy Tapiwa Ncube
Sisters Servants of Mary the Queen – Ancilae Mariae Reginae (AMR)
Project M44
D.R. Congo
Sister Félicité Mbombe
Sœurs de Sainte Thérèse de l’Enfant Jésus de Basankusu
Project M45
Burundi
Bernadette
Missionary Congregation of the Sisters of Saint Gemma
Project M47
Uganda
Naluima Maimuna
Missionary Congregation of the Sisters of Saint Gemma
Project M51
Burundi
Father Adrien Cishahayo
Missionary Congregation of the Sisters of Saint Gemma
Latest news on the works of mercy
FAQ – OPERA M
OPERA M is the beating heart of the spazio + spadoni movement.
It is a journey that accompanies people, communities, and local Churches to live the Works of Mercy as a spiritual experience, a living relationship, and a shared responsibility.
OPERA M proposes a reEvolution because it calls for:
– a return to the spiritual roots of our work
– nurturing relationships as a place of encounter
– fostering processes that transform the way we live out mercy
The re-evolution combines fidelity to the Gospel with an understanding of the present age.
OPERA M takes shape through:
– Forum on the re-evolution of the works of mercy
– Via Misericordiae
– tailored training programmes
– storytelling and sharing through MISSION
Each element helps to make mercy visible, tangible and widespread.
The OPERA M Forums are community spaces for listening, discernment and shared vision.
They bring together bishops, consecrated persons, laypeople and pastoral workers to:
– re-examine the works of mercy together
– recognise what is already taking place in local communities
– open up new, coherent and shared paths
The Forums foster direction and shared responsibility.
The Via Misericordiae is a path chosen by the community, marked out by the 14 works of mercy, both spiritual and corporal.
It is not a prescribed itinerary, but a living path which:
– respects the pace of people and places
– supports spiritual and communal growth
– makes these works a way of life
In OPERA M, the works of mercy are enriched by spirituality.
Action is illuminated by inner life, and relationships become a place of witness.
The handprint expresses this approach: a mercy that invokes, listens, encounters, acts and overflows, uniting faith, responsibility and closeness.
OPERA M walks alongside the local Churches.
As this journey matures, it encourages the establishment or strengthening of diocesan offices for works of mercy, as places for:
– pastoral coordination
– shared formation
– ecclesial discernment
These offices are the result of a journey, not a starting point.
Formation in OPERA M:
– is progressive
– is tailored to individual needs
– accompanies individuals and communities over time
It fosters a spiritual perspective, a way of relating to others and a sense of practical responsibility.
MISSION is the platform for sharing and disseminating the story of OPERA M’s journey.
MISSION:
– recounts real-life experiences
– fosters dialogue between regions
– highlights mercy in action
It has been translated into over 30 languages, so that mercy may circulate, inspire and foster communion.
MISSION is an integral part of the OPERA M journey.
People and communities who wish to:
– live out the works of mercy as a vocation
– walk together as a community
– take on increasing responsibilities
Every form of participation has its own time, form and role.
You enter through an encounter:
through a forum, a community, a shared experience.
The journey begins by crossing a threshold, with freedom and awareness.
OPERA M – Bishops and Diocesan Offices
OPERA M is a church-wide initiative that guides the diocese in re-examining, living out and promoting the works of mercy as a shared pastoral approach.
It does not introduce a new area of focus, but offers a unified vision that encompasses catechesis, charity, formation and community life.
OPERA M serves as a cross-cutting approach, capable of:
– building on what already exists in parishes and organisations
– providing a common language
– fostering shared responsibility amongst offices, communities and ecclesial bodies
Mercy becomes the guiding principle, not a separate sector.
The reEvolution proposed by OPERA M helps the diocese to:
– return to the Gospel roots of its works
– recognise their spiritual and relational dimension
– make them a form of witness in the present day
These works are enriched by spirituality and become a means of evangelisation.
The OPERA M Forums are spaces for listening and ecclesial discernment.
They foster the encounter between:
– Bishop
– priests
– consecrated persons
-engaged laity
The Forum opens a shared process, helping the diocese recognize priorities, resources, and possible steps.
The Via Misericordiae is a path chosen by the diocesan community, traced by the 14 works of mercy, spiritual and corporal.
At the diocesan level:
– fosters unity of vision
– accompanies the growth of communities
– respects the timing and specific characteristics of the territory
It is a liveable and progressive pastoral path.
OPERA M accompanies the organization to rediscover a shared soul.
Through the handprint – invoke, listen, encounter, act, flood –
the works integrate into a common style that unites:
– interiority
– responsibility
– proximity
The structure is illuminated with spirituality.
The diocesan Offices for the works of mercy can be born as a mature fruit of the OPERA M journey.
They are places of:
– pastoral coordination
– ongoing formation
– ecclesial discernment
They foster continuity, communion, and vision over time.
OPERA M accompanies the diocese to network what already exists, enhancing people, experiences, and works already present.
The journey grows through discernment and co-responsibility, according to the real possibilities of the territory.
The OPERA M journey finds its narrative space in MISSION, a sharing platform translated into over 30 languages, which:
– recounts diocesan experiences
– fosters exchange between Churches
– makes lived mercy visible
MISSION supports the missionary and universal dimension of the diocese.
A diocese embarking on the OPERA M journey experiences:
– greater pastoral unity
– renewed spiritual depth of the works
– co-responsible involvement of clergy, consecrated persons, and laity
– a credible witness of mercy in the territory
The journey begins with:
– a time of listening
– a meeting or diocesan Forum
– shared discernment with the Bishop
OPERA M accompanies step by step, respecting the history, timing, and vocation of the local Church.
Via Misericordiae
The Via Misericordiae is a universal journey traced by the 14 works of mercy, designed to be embodied locally in the forms, languages, and materials proper to each community.
It is not a uniform aesthetic project, but a path of meaning that takes flesh in real life.
No.
The Via Misericordiae does not have a prototype to copy, nor a form better than others.
Every realization is unique, just as every community is unique. Unity is not given by the form, but by the meaning held within.
There are very few fixed elements.
Each stage must contain only:
– the title of the work of mercy, as recognized by the Church
– an external location, accessible to all
– a clear belonging to the Via Misericordiae
– a color differentiation between spiritual and corporal works (recommended)
Nothing else is mandatory.
Much is left to local freedom.
Every Church, association, or community can express the stages through:
– different materials (stone, wood, iron, ceramics, plants, light, earth…)
– different languages (artistic, symbolic, narrative, abstract, minimal, popular)
– their own styles (traditional, contemporary, essential, street)
– the direct involvement of the community (artists, schools, young people, artisans)
Local culture is the very form that the Via is called to take.
Yes.
There is only one criterion, valid everywhere:
Does this sign help people recognize a work of mercy as part of real life, and not as an abstract idea?
If the answer is yes, the form is right.
The Handprint (Invoke – Listen – Look – We work – We spread) is present in all the stages, in an essential, discreet, and repetitive way.
It does not serve to explain the works, but to teach how to live them.
It is both:
– an inner criterion
– a way of life
– a formation tool
With full freedom.
It may appear:
– engraved on stone or wood
– written in small print next to the title
– symbolically represented (5 signs, 5 lines, 5 visual elements)
– integrated into the artistic work
– repeated identically across all stages
The only important thing is that the same five words always return.
Like this:
– they are not explained
– they are learned by walking
Because the works of mercy belong to real life.
The external location makes the Via:
– accessible to all
– visible in daily life
– not reserved for those who already attend
The Via is public, as is lived mercy.
No, and it is a conscious choice.
The Via Misericordiae:
– avoids cultural colonialism
– avoids standardized aesthetics
– safeguards global translatability
– protects the action of the Spirit
– leaves room for the creativity of peoples
The unity of the journey does not erase the plurality of forms.
Yes.
Every local project can be accompanied by this phrase:
The Via Misericordiae safeguards the unity of meaning and leaves full freedom to the plurality of forms.
The Via Misericordiae is one of the most visible and concrete fruits of OPERA M.
It transforms the works of mercy into:
– a community journey
– a shared language
– a formative experience over time
It is a path to inhabit, not a project to be realized.
Diocesan Office of the Works of Mercy
The Diocesan Office of the Works of Mercy is a mature fruit of the journey promoted by OPERA M, within the spazio + spadoni movement, in full dialogue with the Bishop and the Curia.
It is a place of safekeeping, discernment, and pastoral vision, which accompanies the diocese to live the works of mercy as a concrete path of evangelization, generated by the Spirit and embodied in the real life of the communities.
The Office safeguards a vision in which the works of mercy:
– are a simple means to be merciful
– are born from the action of the Spirit
– generate relationship, conversion, and responsibility
In this sense, the works are distinguished from mere solidarity, because they do not stop at help, but inhabit the heart and life of people.
The Office recognizes in the spiritual works of mercy a privileged place for the maturation of the ecclesial journey.
They:
– guide the style of the corporal works
– help to read reality with a Gospel perspective
– make the action of the Spirit visible in relationships
Spiritual works accompany the entire pastoral care and safeguard its soul.
The Office is born when the journey is already inhabited: after the OPERA M Forums, the launch of the Via Misericordiae, and the progressive spread throughout the parishes.
It is the sign of a diocese that chooses to care for the reEvolution of the works of mercy over time.
The purpose is to safeguard the unity of meaning of the works of mercy, so that they remain:
– imbued with the Spirit
– rooted in real life
– shared as a common pastoral style
The Office helps the diocese to live the works as a shared ecclesial language.
The Handprint (invoke – listen – watch – we operate – we spread) is the spiritual and formative guide of the journey.
The Office adopts it as:
– a criterion of discernment
– a way of life
– a tool to accompany the reEvolution of the works of mercy
It teaches how to live the works, not how to organize them.
The Office:
– accompanies the Via Misericordiae, traced by the 14 works
– fosters the spread in parishes and territories
– supports the roles (in particular Consol and Ambassador)
– keeps the spiritual dimension of the journey alive
– offers continuity and pastoral vision over time
It is a service of care, accompaniment, and integration.
The Office operates in listening and communion with the Bishop.
It offers a stable space for reading, guidance, and discernment, at the service of pastoral responsibility and diocesan choices.
The Office is animated by people who inhabit the journey of the works of mercy, in particular Consol figures, with the contribution of Volunteers and Ambassadors, according to the needs of the diocese.
The service is lived as ecclesial co-responsibility.
The spazio + spadoni movement supports the journey:
– offering vision and accompaniment
– networking experiences already lived
– fostering dialogue between Churches and territories
Through MISSION, translated into over 30 languages, diocesan experiences can be shared, made accessible even to the least, and placed in dialogue with different ecclesial contexts.
Over time, the Office:
– strengthens pastoral continuity
– safeguards the spiritual dimension of the works
– makes the reEvolution of the works of mercy stable and generative
– offers the diocese an inspiring model for other Churches in the country
It is a sign of ecclesial maturity of the journey.
Foulard
A simple sign that accompanies the journey in spazio†spadoni.
Availability to inhabit time and space, letting oneself be traversed by mercy.
To the universal call to the Works of Mercy.
Red:
Life given and passion for the face of the neighbor.
Pearl gray:
Sobriety, balance, listening in daily life.
White:
Inner space where the Spirit guides.
A conscious gesture that marks an inhabited time.
According to personal journeys and local realities.
Inhabitants, Volunteers, Consul, Ambassador.
What holds people, stories, and hopes together.
In service, formation, meetings, and Forums.
Sign of presence, faithful service, and belonging to the flock.