The Mercy Walk

The Corporal Works of Mercy

• Feed the hungry

• Give drink to the thirsty

• Clothe the naked

• Shelter the homeless

• Visit the sick

• Visit the imprisoned

• Bury the dead
   

The Spiritual Works of Mercy

• Instruct the ignorant

• Counsel the doubtful

• Admonish the sinner

• Bear wrongs patiently

• Forgive offenses willingly

• Comfort the afflicted

• Pray for the living and the dead

Why it was built
Walking in Christ's footsteps means living out the Gospel in concrete ways. The shrine was built so that visitors could meditate on how to do that as they walk: to walk the talk, not just talk the talk. Deacon Tzinski explained that the parish spent a good deal of time reflecting on how best to live out the Gospel, and the shrine seemed a natural way to teach the parish's children, through prayer along with action, what the Lord wants us to do in our lives.

How it was built
The shrine was built entirely through donations. Young people of the parish gave their time and talents to finish the project. Members of the Columbian Squires, together with the Knights of Columbus, set roughly 220 concrete blocks for the walkway, each weighing 55 pounds. They also poured the concrete for the plaque bases and planted trees. Children in vacation Bible school planted flowers along the walkway, as did the parish women's group and the Little Flowers girls group. A wrought-iron arbor at the shrine was created and donated by Richard and Ann Johnstone.

The dedication
Bishop John Kinney blessed and dedicated the Mercy Walk Shrine on October 16, 2003. He then walked it with about 120 parishioners. At each of the fourteen stations they stopped and prayed an Our Father, a Hail Mary, and a Glory Be while meditating on that work of mercy. Works of mercy chaplets made by the parish rosary makers were provided for visitors, and Mercy Walk prayer booklets were also made available.

How to pray the Mercy Walk
Visitors can pray the walk the same way it was prayed at its dedication:

1. Stop at each station and read the work of mercy on the plaque.

2. Meditate on that work of mercy.

3. Pray an Our Father, a Hail Mary, and a Glory Be.

4. Continue to the next station until you have completed all fourteen.
    

Individuals, families, and groups are all welcome to pray the walk or make a pilgrimage to the shrine.

Mercy in action
When the shrine was dedicated, Deacon Tzinski described the parish as understanding the works of mercy as love in action. Parishioners visited the sick, collected food monthly for the local food shelf, visited the county jail, and taught. On the day of the dedication, the parish was also housing homeless guests in Zimmer Hall through the Interfaith Hospitality Network.

Visiting
The Mercy Walk Shrine is across the parking lot from the main entrance of Sts. Peter and Paul Church, 1050 Southview Ave., Braham, and is open to visitors at any time of day. Groups planning a pilgrimage may contact the parish office at (320) 396-3105.
Source: "Braham mercy shrine highlights ways to 'walk the talk,'" St. Cloud Visitor, October 23, 2003.