The Beatitudes Declared by Our Father Saint Francis
Source: Google Books
On the Poor in Spirit
Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven. There are many who practice prayers and offices and impose upon their bodies severe abstinences and afflictions, yet they become troubled and frown at the slightest spoken word which they consider injurious to their bodies, or in any way whatsoever. Such people are not poor in spirit, for the truly poor in spirit hate themselves and show kindness to those who offend and strike them in the face.
On the True Peacemakers
Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called children of God. Those are truly peacemakers who, in this world, endure all things for the love of Our Lord Jesus Christ, having peace in both soul and body.
On Purity of Heart
Blessed are the pure of heart, for they shall see God. They are pure of heart who despise earthly things and, aspiring to heavenly things, never fail in prayer, and behold the Lord God living and true with a pure soul and heart.
On Humility in Goods and Benefits
Blessed is the servant who does not grow proud or rejoice in the good spoken of him or given to him by God any more than in the good spoken of or given to another. For man fails when he wishes to take more from his neighbor than to grant from his own to the Lord.
On Bearing with One’s Neighbor
Blessed is he who is loving toward his neighbor according to that neighbor’s weakness and frailty, in which the neighbor requires support and compassion.
That All Good Must Be Referred to God
Blessed is the servant who attributes all his goods to God, for he who keeps anything for himself hides within himself his Lord’s money; and what he thinks he possesses shall rightly be taken from him.
On Humility in Receiving Human Praise
Blessed is the servant who does not esteem himself better when praised, commended, or exalted by men, nor worse when held as vile, small, or of no value; for a man is only as great before God as he truly is, and nothing more. Woe to the religious person whom others raise up in honor and dignity, and whose vain and glorious will does not know how to humble or lower itself; but blessed is the man raised to the summit without seeking it by his own will, and who nevertheless always desires to be under the feet of others.
On Holy Joy and the Vain Glory of the Religious
Blessed is the religious person whose joy and contentment rest in the most holy words and works of God, and who thus draws and leads people to His love in gladness and jubilation. On the contrary, miserable and pitiable is he who delights in idle and vain speech, leading people into laughter and mockery.
On Conducting Oneself with Grace and Silence
Blessed is the servant of God who does not speak for the lure of human reward, nor reveal his most private secrets, nor rush into speech, but wisely considers what he should say and answer.
Woe to the religious person who does not keep in his heart the goods of God, which he should make known only through works and holy actions, but instead wishes to reveal them to all in expectation of praise and favor. By doing so, he has already received his reward, and his listeners will bear little fruit.
On Bearing Correction
Blessed is he who, being reproved and accused, endures such reproof from another as from himself. Blessed is he who, being reprimanded, withdraws with gentleness, obeys with humility, simply confesses his fault, and willingly makes amends. Blessed is he who is not eager to cover himself with excuses and humbly bears shame and reproof, even when he has not committed the fault. Blessed is he who is found as humble toward his inferiors as toward his prelates and lords. Faithful and wise is the servant who hastens to punishment through confession and satisfaction for sin.
On Brotherly Love
Blessed is the servant filled with love and goodwill toward his brother, whether he is weak and suffering or healthy and fair in appearance. Blessed is he who would have as warm and equal an affection for his brother whether he were near or far, and who would not say in secret anything he could not also say in his brother’s presence.
On Faith and Reverence Toward Clergy
Blessed is the servant who has faith in the clergy who live according to the form and manner of the Holy Roman Church, and woe to those who despise them. And even though they may be sinners, no one should presume to judge or condemn them, for God alone reserves to Himself the final judgment. For the more admirable their handling of the most holy Body and Blood of Christ Jesus our Lord—which they receive and then distribute to others—the more grievous and heavy is their sin, if they offend, than that of other men in this world.