--- title: Reflect on the Beatitudes and Eight Modern Saints description: Patrice Fagnant-MacArthur reviews 'Arise to Blessedness' by author/illustrator Jen Norton. image: https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/20231010%20PMacArthur%201.png --- [![catholic-mom-logo-v2](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/images/catholic-mom-logo-v2.svg "catholic-mom-logo-v2")](https://www.catholicmom.com/) [![facebook](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-facebook.svg)](http://www.facebook.com/CatholicMomCommunity) [![twitter](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-twitter.svg)](http://twitter.com/CatholicMomCom) [![instagram](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-instagram.svg)](http://instagram.com/catholicmomcommunity) [![youtube](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-youtube.svg)](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCAuUqHCVPDzyMgSMaMZxxug?view_as=subscriber) [![search-icon](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/search-icon.svg)](https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/reflect-on-the-beatitudes-and-eight-modern-saints#) [BOOKS](https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/tag/books) # Reflect on the Beatitudes and Eight Modern Saints Oct 10, 2023 7:00:00 AM  |  by [Patrice Fagnant-MacArthur](https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/author/patrice-fagnant-macarthur) ![featured image](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/20231010%20PMacArthur%201.png) *Patrice Fagnant-MacArthur reviews *Arise to Blessedness: A Journal Retreat with Eight Modern Saints Who Lived the Beatitudes* by author/illustrator Jen Norton.* --- In [Arise to Blessedness: A Journal Retreat with Eight Modern Saints Who Lived the Beatitudes](https://amzn.to/45WP8sD), Jen Norton invites us to reflect on the Beatitudes through both word and image. > In Jesus’s Sermon on the Mount, he lays out the way to eternal happiness, or ‘blessedness.’ It is a countercultural call, often asking us to embrace what the rest of the world shuns. (ix)   ![null](https://www.catholicmom.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Arise%20to%20Blessedness.jpg?width=900&height=1350&name=Arise%20to%20Blessedness.jpg)   In this work, Norton focuses on eight saints, each of whom embodies one of the Beatitudes in a meaningful way, inviting readers to also live out those Beatitudes.    The eight saints with the accompanying Beatitude featured are:  - Saint André Bessette—Blessed are the poor in spirit - Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton—Blessed are those who mourn - Saint Maximilian Kolbe—Blessed are the meek - Saint Mark Tianxiang—Blessed are they who hunger and thirst for righteousness - Saint Maria Goretti—Blessed are the merciful  - Saint Charbel Makhlouf—Blessed are the clean of heart - Saint Óscar Romero—Blessed are the peacemakers - Saint José Luis Sánchez del Río—Blessed are they who are persecuted   Each chapter features an illustration of the Beatitude, an illuminated scripture verse, a brief scripture reading, a painting of the saint, a reflection on the saint which includes the lessons we can learn from him or her, a prompt to examine and reflect on the artwork, an opportunity for journaling, and an action item to help cultivate that Beatitude in your life more closely. There are pages provided in the book for journaling, but one can also use a separate journal.   Norton’s art is modern and colorful while still being reverent. (View examples of Norton’s paintings at [JenNortonArtStudio.com](https://www.jennortonartstudio.com/).) Her illustrations are full of symbolism and provide much opportunity for reflection. [Arise to Blessedness](https://amzn.to/45WP8sD) is a lovely book for contemplating the Beatitudes, learning about eight modern saints, and working on practicing the Beatitudes in your own life. It makes a perfect at-home retreat and could also be used in a small group setting.    Ask for *Arise to Blessedness* at your local Catholic bookseller, or order online from [**Amazon.com**](https://amzn.to/45WP8sD) or the publisher, **[Ave Maria Press](https://www.avemariapress.com/products/arise-to-blessedness).**   ![null](https://www.catholicmom.com/hs-fs/hubfs/20231010%20PMacArthur%20IG.png?width=1080&height=1080&name=20231010%20PMacArthur%20IG.png) --- Copyright 2023 Patrice Fagnant-MacArthur Images: Canva This article contains Amazon affiliate links, which provide a small compensation to the author of this piece when purchases are made through the links, at no cost to you. Thank you for supporting our Catholic Mom writers in this way. ### Share this article [![Share on Facebook](https://static.hubspot.com/final/img/common/icons/social/facebook-24x24.png)](http://www.facebook.com/share.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.catholicmom.com%2Farticles%2Freflect-on-the-beatitudes-and-eight-modern-saints%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dfacebook) [![Share on Twitter](https://static.hubspot.com/final/img/common/icons/social/twitter-24x24.png)](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?original_referer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.catholicmom.com%2Farticles%2Freflect-on-the-beatitudes-and-eight-modern-saints%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dtwitter&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.catholicmom.com%2Farticles%2Freflect-on-the-beatitudes-and-eight-modern-saints%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dtwitter&source=tweetbutton&text=Reflect%20on%20the%20Beatitudes%20and%20Eight%20Modern%20Saints) [![Share on Email](https://static.hubspot.com/final/img/common/icons/social/email-24x24.png)](mailto:?subject=Check%20out%20https%3A%2F%2Fwww.catholicmom.com%2Farticles%2Freflect-on-the-beatitudes-and-eight-modern-saints%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Demail%20&body=Check%20out%20https%3A%2F%2Fwww.catholicmom.com%2Farticles%2Freflect-on-the-beatitudes-and-eight-modern-saints%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Demail) ** #### About the Author ![Patrice Fagnant-MacArthur](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/Patrice%20Fagnant-MacArthur%202024.jpg) ### [Patrice Fagnant-MacArthur](https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/author/patrice-fagnant-macarthur) Patrice Fagnant-MacArthur has a master’s degree in applied theology and is the author of The Power of Forgiveness, Our Lady of La Salette: A Mother Weeps for Her Children, and The Life and Lessons of St. Zelie Martin. A mother of three, she is the editor of [TodaysCatholicHomeschooling.com](http://TodaysCatholicHomeschooling.com) as well as a [freelance writer and editor](http://Pfmacarthur.com). ## Related Blog Articles [ Radical Role Models for Catholic Women Read ](https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/radical-role-models-for-catholic-women) [ Help Your Children Love the Eucharist Read ](https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/help-your-children-love-the-eucharist) [ Inspirational Stories of Young Saints Read ](https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/inspirational-stories-of-young-saints) ## Comments ## Donate now [![Support Catholic Mom](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/275132/10016573-1c5c-4aa5-baba-c2ac91fe7545.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/275132/10016573-1c5c-4aa5-baba-c2ac91fe7545) [![CatholicMom_hcfm_logo1_pos_871c_2728c (002)](https://www.catholicmom.com/hs-fs/hubfs/CatholicMom_hcfm_logo1_pos_871c_2728c%20(002).png?width=1806&height=731&name=CatholicMom_hcfm_logo1_pos_871c_2728c%20(002).png "CatholicMom_hcfm_logo1_pos_871c_2728c (002)")](https://www.catholicmom.com/) ##### Subscribe to Catholic Momcast on iTunes or Spotify [![itunes-logo-black](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/logos/itunes-logo-black.svg)](https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/catholic-momcast/id1362352357)[![spotify-logo-black](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/logos/spotify-logo-black.svg)](https://open.spotify.com/show/15CoipHL7z61IDcYErV0b8?si=hqaQJSxDQgq7S1hxCwsoxQ) ##### CatholicMom on Social Networks [![facebook](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-facebook.svg)](http://www.facebook.com/CatholicMomCommunity) [![twitter](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-twitter.svg)](http://twitter.com/CatholicMomCom) [![instagram](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-instagram.svg)](http://instagram.com/catholicmomcommunity) [![youtube](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-youtube.svg)](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCAuUqHCVPDzyMgSMaMZxxug?view_as=subscriber) ##### About Catholic Mom [Who We Are](https://www.catholicmom.com/about-us) [Contact Us](https://www.catholicmom.com/contact) [Support CatholicMom.com](https://www.catholicmom.com/support-us)   ##### Associated Links [Holy Cross Family Ministries](https://www.hcfm.org/) [Family Rosary](https://www.familyrosary.org/) [Family Theater Productions](https://www.familytheater.org/) [Congregation of the Holy Cross](https://www.holycrossusa.org/) [Father Patrick Peyton, C.S.C.](https://www.fatherpeyton.org/) [The Peyton Institute for Domestic Church Life](https://www.peytonfamilyinstitute.org/) ### **Stay connected!** Don’t miss a thing! 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