The Beatitudes, found in Matthew 5, are at the heart of Christ’s teachings. Like the rest of the Gospel, these words are meant to be lived out in our daily lives – including in our marriages and families. Pope Francis has preached a number of times on the significance of the Beatitudes in the Christian life, calling them a “program for holiness.” This series, originally published on the USCCB website Marriage: Unique for a Reason, explores the way that the Beatitudes can be lived in relationships between spouses and family members.

1. Seeing the crowds, he went up on the mountain, and when he sat down his disciples came to him. And he opened his mouth and taught them, saying: . . .
   (Mt 5:1-2)
2. Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. (Mt 5:3)
3. Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted. (Mt 5:4)
4. Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth. (Mt 5:5)
5. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied. (Mt 5:6)
6. Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy. (Mt 5:7)
7. Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God. (Mt 5:8)
8. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God. (Mt 5:9)
9. Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when men revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so men persecuted the prophets who were before you. (Mt 5:10-12)

This series, originally published on Marriage: Unique for a Reason, is a guest contribution by a Dominican student brother who partially fulfilled his pastoral ministry assignment by serving as an intern in the USCCB’s Secretariat for Laity, Marriage, Family Life, and Youth.