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"Jesus looks lovingly at the crowd below, speaking to them from the fullness of his burning heart. He holds out to them a blessedness, a joy, that he yearns for them to share – and not just later in the glory of heaven, but even now in this world of light and shadow."

—From the Introduction

The Beatitudes, centerpiece of Jesus' Sermon on the Mount, turn us upside-down. In a world craving wealth, power and fame, we hear Jesus declare blessed the poor in spirit, meek, merciful, pure in heart – yes even those who mourn and are persecuted.

In Blessed Are You: Living the Beatitudes, Chris Ruff invites individuals and small groups to explore Jesus' paradoxical words with fresh eyes, discovering in them a treasury of beauty, simplicity and joy, and applying them to life.

Like other books in the Discipleship Series, Blessed Are You is:

• Ideal for busy people, with 6 short, engaging sessions
• Balanced in Scripture, brief commentary and prayer
• Dynamic in discussion questions that connect the Beatitudes with our daily lives
• Modest in proposing a component of service – love of neighbor – that makes discipleship more real
• Captivating with true stories that bring each Beatitude to life

-Blessed Solanus Casey – Humble doorkeeper, meek and poor in spirit

-St. Gemma Galgani – A short life tinged with blessed mourning

-Blessed Padre Pro – Righteous in the face of persecution

-The Monk and the Murderer – A Death Row inmate encounters mercy through an Oklahoma monk

-Brendan Kelly – Pure in heart, a mystical boy with Down syndrome

-St. Teresa of Calcutta – Peacemaking in war-torn Lebanon

“This expanding set of small-group resources is aptly named the Discipleship Series. I recommend it wholeheartedly to individuals, groups, parishes and dioceses that wish to foster a deeper, fuller discipleship in Christ.”

— Archbishop Jerome E. Listecki, Archdiocese of Milwaukee

“Christopher Ruff’s Discipleship Series has been a very effective instrument for the new evangelization in the Archdiocese of Vancouver. I recommended it to our parishes as a model for Lenten renewal, it is solidly Catholic yet simple. It doesn’t require a huge commitment from pastors, lay leaders, and participants, but it still fosters growth in holiness through good content, meaningful shared reflection, and a commitment to service. I look forward to seeing future volumes in the Discipleship Series.”

— Archbishop J. Michael Miller, CSB, Archdiocese of Vancouver

“Blessed Are You makes the Beatitudes come alive with meaning and relevance. As with the other books in the Discipleship Series, Chris Ruff takes you deeper than a theoretical study of the Faith – into a shared experience of following Jesus and building his Kingdom in the world today. Truly second to none!”

— Chris Stefanick, Founder and President of Real Life Catholic

“Small faith-sharing groups which challenge the individual to works of charity and the apostolate are at the very core of the history of the reform of the Catholic Church. I congratulate Christopher Ruff on his work and hope that it will continue to be so well received."

— The late Fr. Benedict Groeschel, CFR

About the Author

Chris Ruff has been writing small-group resources for more than 25 years, with a special desire to connect the inner life of intimacy with Christ with its outward expression in love of neighbor. Chris received his S.T.L. from the John Paul II Institute for Marriage and Family in Rome and has been Director of Ministries and Social Concerns for the Diocese of La Crosse since 2001. HIs Discipleship Series has been used by parishes and dioceses throughout the U.S. and Canada.

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