Arise to Blessedness: A Journal Retreat with Eight Modern Saints Who Lived the Beatitudes

Norton compares living what Jesus taught in the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5:3–13) with climbing a mountain—a difficult, irregular, sometimes fear-filled path that eventually leads to a great reward. But she says that like the saints, if you trust God beyond your own understanding, the end of the climb is heaven. You will learn about each of the Beatitudes from modern saints, including St. André Bessette, a brother of the Congregation of Holy Cross, who served as a porter and powerful intercessor for the afflicted—Blessed are the poor in spirit; St. Mark Ji Tianxiang, a Chinese doctor who became an opium addict but maintained a strong faith. He died a martyr during the Boxer Rebellion—Blessed are they who hunger and thirst for righteousness; St. Maria Goretti, who sought the conversion of those who had harmed her—Blessed are the merciful; and St. Oscar Romero, the archbishop who embodied radical love as a peacemaker—Blessed are the peacemakers. This book is perfect for personal or group use.