es are a portion of Our Lord's Sermon on the Mount, and
they are so called because each of them holds out a promised reward to
those who practice the virtues they recommend.

Q. 710. Where did Our Lord usually preach?
A. Our Lord usually preached wherever an opportunity of doing good by
His Words presented itself. He preached at times in the synagogues or
meeting-houses but more frequently in the open air--by the seashore or
on the mountain, and often by the wayside.

Q. 711. What is the meaning and use of the Beatitudes in general?
A. (1) In general the Beatitudes embrace whatever pertains to the
perfection of Christian life, and they invite us to the practice of the
highest Christian virtues; (2) In different forms they all promise the
same reward, namely, sanctifying grace in this life and eternal glory in
the next; (3) They offer us encouragement and consolation for every
trial and affliction.

Q. 712. What does the first Beatitude mean by the "poor in spirit"?
A. The first Beatitude means by the "poor in spirit" all persons, rich
or poor, who would not offend God to possess or retain anything that
this world can give; and who, when necessity or charity requires it,
give willingly for the glory of God. It includes also those who humbly
submit to their condition in life when it cannot be improved by lawful
means.

Q. 713. Who are the mourners who deserve the consolation promised in the
third Beatitude?
A. The mourners who deserve the consolation promised in the third
Beatitude are they who, out of love for God, bewail their own sins and
those of the world; and they who patiently endure all trials that come
from God or for His sake.

Q. 714. What lessons do the other Beatitudes convey?
A. The other Beatitudes convey these lessons: The meek suppress all
feelings of anger and humbly submit to whatever befalls them by the Will
of God; and they never desire to do evil for evil. The justice after
which we should seek is every Christian virtue included under that name,
and we are told that if we earnestly desire and seek it we shall obtain
it. The persecuted for justice' sake are they who will not abandon their
faith or virtue for any cause.

Q. 715. Who may be rightly called merciful?
A. The merciful are they who practice the corporal and spiritual works
of mercy, and who aid by word or deed those who need their help for soul
or body.

Q. 716. Why are the clean of heart promised so great a reward?
A. The clean o