sed to bear wrong patiently and to forgive all
injuries?
A. We are advised to bear wrongs patiently and to forgive all injuries,
because, being Christians, we should imitate the example of Our Divine
Lord, who endured wrongs patiently and who not only pardoned but prayed
for those who injured Him.

Q. 817. If, then, it be a Christian virtue to forgive all injuries, why
do Christians establish courts and prisons to punish wrongdoers?
A. Christians establish courts and prisons to punish wrongdoers, because
the preservation of lawful authority, good order in society, the
protection of others, and sometimes even the good of the guilty one
himself, require that crimes be justly punished. As God Himself punishes
crime and as lawful authority comes from Him, such authority has the
right to punish, though individuals should forgive the injuries done to
themselves personally.

Q. 818. Why is it a work of mercy to pray for the living and the dead?
A. It is a work of mercy to aid those who are unable to aid themselves.
The living are exposed to temptations, and while in mortal sin they are
deprived of the merit of their good works and need our prayers. The dead
can in no way help themselves and depend on us for assistance.

Q. 819. {223} Which are the chief corporal works of mercy?
A. The chief corporal works of mercy are seven: To feed the hungry, to
give drink to the thirsty, to clothe the naked, to ransom the captive,
to harbor the harborless, to visit the sick, and to bury the dead.

Q. 820. How may we briefly state the corporal works of mercy?
A. We may briefly state the corporal works of mercy by saying that we
are obliged to help the poor in all their forms of want.

Q. 821. How are Christians aided in the performance of works of mercy?
A. Christians are aided in the performance of works of mercy through the
establishment of charitable institutions where religious communities of
holy men or women perform these duties for us, provided we supply the
necessary means by our almsgiving and good works.

Q. 822. Who are religious?
A. Religious are self-sacrificing men and women who, wishing to follow
more closely the teachings of Our Lord, dedicate their lives to the
service of God and religion. They live together in societies approved by
the Church, under a rule and guidance of a superior. They keep the vows
of chastity, poverty and obedience, and divide their time between prayer
and good works. The houses in which they dw