Beatitudes: Eight Steps to Happiness

by Raniero Cantalamessa

Meditations on the beatitudes given to Pope Benedict XVI and the papal household. Anyone who has tried to live the beatitudes will confirm that the task can be daunting. What does it mean to be a peacemaker? Do you really want to be "reviled" by others? If you're not rich compared to your immediate neighbors and friends, but you're rich compared to most of the world, what are you supposed to do about that? Father Raniero Cantalamessa will lead you not only to a deeper appreciation of these famous words of Jesus, but also into the presence of Jesus himself who lived them perfectly and who will give you the ability and enthusiasm to do the same. The beatitudes are not a burden to be shouldered but an invitation to a joy-filled life of surrender to the Lord who came not to be served, but to serve.

Genres: Spirituality, Religion

160 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2008

About the author

Father Raniero Cantalamessa is a Franciscan Capuchin Catholic Priest. Born in Ascoli Piceno, Italy, 22 July 1934, ordained priest in 1958. Divinity Doctor (Fribourg 1962) and Doctor in classical literature (Milan 1966). Former Ordinary Professor of History of Ancient Christianity and Director of the Department of Religious Sciences at the Catholic University of Milan. Member of the International Theological Commission (1975-1981) and for 12 years member of the Catholic Delegation for the dialogue with the Pentecostal Churches.

In 1979 he resigned his teaching position to become a full time preacher of the Gospel. In 1980 he was appointed by Pope John Paul II Preacher to the Papal Household and confirmed in that position by pope Benedict XVI in 2005. In this capacity he preaches a weekly sermon in Advent and Lent in the presence of the Pope, the cardinals, bishops an prelates of the Roman Curia and the general superiors of religious orders. He is also frequently invited to speak in many countries around the world, both to Catholic and Protestant audiences.

He has received an Honorary degree in Laws from Notre Dame University (Indiana), in Sciences of communication from the University of Macerata (Italy) and in Theology from Franciscan University of Steubenville (Ohio).
In addition to his early scholar books on patristic Christology, Easter in the Ancient Church and other topics he has published numerous books on spirituality fruit of his preaching to the papal Household, translated in more than twenty foreign languages.
For 14 years, from 1994 to 2010 he has run a weekly program on the first channel of the Italian state television (RAI) on the Gospel of the following Sunday.

From 2009, when he is not engaged in preaching, he lives in an hermitage, at Cittaducale (Rieti) ministering to a small community of cloistered nuns.
The 18 July 2013 he has been confirmed by pope Francis as Preacher to the Papal Household.

Reviews

[Joe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another outstanding book by Fr Cantalamessa

[Leah · Rating 3 out of 5]

There were many nuggets that made me
think and examine my life and how I treat others. However it felt as if I was reading a textbook at times. Had hoped a book about the beatitudes wouldn't have felt so distant and clinical.

[Sengole Gnanaraj · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful companion for spiritual growth

As always Fr. Cantalamessa captures the rich meaning of the word of God in true meaning of the church. His reflections are both challenging and enriching.

[Victoria Slotto · Rating 4 out of 5]

I returned to this book for a second attempt, one I had abandoned as too erudite, but found it to be much more practical and applicable to spiritual living this second go-around. This goes to show that we find ourselves in different degrees of openness at differing moments in life. Glad I gave it a second chance.

[Ana StPaul · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent and helpful guide to both Gospel versions in the usual Cantalamessa style of helpful examples.

[Ce · Rating 4 out of 5]

P. Cantalamessa es un genio para explicar y profundizar en diversos temas de la fe. Habré leído las bienaventuranzas al menos unas 50 veces en mi vida con calma pero definitivamente necesitaba esta guía para su mejor comprensión y considerar algunos puntos que los pasaba por alto. Quizás lo que más disfruté fue la parte final, donde el padre Cantalamessa menciona que es prudente meditar en las bienaventuranzas para incorporarlas en nuestro examen de conciencia. Al igual que él, hallé una tentación y pecado fácil de ignorar cuando se ignora parte de este mensaje del Evangelio.