The Beatitudes
(Solemn Blessings)
The Beatitudes were given to us by Jesus at the beginning of the Sermon on the Mount. Beatitudes are solemn blessings. The beatitudes were Christ's gift to us to help us live right.
  1. "Blessed are the poor in spirit,
          for theirs is the kingdom of heaven."
  2. "Blessed are those who mourn,
         for they will be comforted."
  3. "Blessed are the meek,
         for they will inherit the earth."
  4. "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
         for they will be filled."
  5. "Blessed are the merciful,
         for they will receive mercy."
  6. "Blessed are the pure in heart,
         for they will see God."
  7. "Blessed are the peacemakers,
         for they will be called children of God."
  8. "Blessed are they who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake,
         for theirs is the kingdom of heaven."
The Sermon on the Mount

According to the Catechism of the Catholic Church, the Beatitudes depict the countenance of Jesus Christ and portray his charity. They express the vocation of the faithful associated with the glory of his Passion and Resurrection; they shed light on the actions and attitudes characteristic of the Christian life; they are the paradoxical promises that sustain hope in the midst of tribulations; they proclaim the blessings and rewards already secured, however dimly, for Christ's disciples; they have begun in the lives of the Virgin Mary and all the saints.

The Beatitudes take up and fulfill God's promises from Abraham on by ordering them to the Kingdom of heaven. They respond to the desire for happiness that God has placed in the human heart.

The Beatitudes teach us the final end to which God calls us: the Kingdom, the vision of God, participation in the divine nature, eternal life, filiation, rest in God.

The beatitude of eternal life is a gratuitous gift of God. It is supernatural, as is the grace that leads us there.

The Beatitudes confront us with decisive choices concerning earthly goods; they purify our hearts in order to teach us to love God above all things.

The beatitude of heaven sets the standards for discernment in the use of earthly goods in keeping with the law of God.

Another translation of the Beatitudes
From the Catholic Encyclopedia:
  1. Blessed are the poor in spirit:
         for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
  2. Blessed are the meek:
         for they shall posses the land.
  3. Blessed are they who mourn:
         for they shall be comforted.
  4. Blessed are they that hunger and thirst after justice:
         for they shall have their fill.
  5. Blessed are the merciful:
         for they shall obtain mercy.
  6. Blessed are the clean of heart:
         for they shall see God.
  7. Blessed are the peacemakers:
         for they shall be called the children of God.
  8. Blessed are they that suffer persecution for justice' sake,
         for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.