Blest Are We

Is that a fact?: Pope Leo XIII was the first pope to write an encyclical devoted to the theme of Catholic Social Teaching. He wrote Rerum Novarum (The Condition of Labor) in 1891. It spoke out against the inhumane treatment of poor people and workers in industrialized countries.

Extend the activities for each concept presented in Blest Are We with the following Ideas.


		• According to the first beatitude, a person could be poor and wealthy at the same time. Have someone explain this predicament. • Discuss the different types of losses that people experience, e.g., job losses, loss of friends due to moves, loss of friendship, loss because of death. • Talk about ways to be peacemakers in today’s world. Point out that peacemaking begins at home and then spreads out into the community. When we recognize how difficult peace can be at home, we develop a little better understanding of the challenge of peace in the world. • Discuss the beatitudes in terms of happiness. How can living them bring happiness? And, to whom does it bring this happiness?


		• To live by the Commandments requires us to make good moral decisions. Discuss with your group advantages of using the following vowel "code" to remember the steps in the process of good decision making. • I Information – What are the facts about the situation or decision to be made? Name the problem and those who are involved. Whom will your decision affect? • O Options – Look at the choices you have to solve the problem. What possible alternatives are there? Make a list of your options and alternatives. • U Understanding – Make sure you understand the pros and cons of the situation. What are the advantages and disadvantages of each option? Check the consequences of each choice. • A Act on Beliefs and Values – Check to see if making a certain decision goes with or against your own values. How does it fit the values of your parents, others you respect, and with your faith? • E Evaluate – Review your decision after acting on it. If it was a good decision, pat yourself on the back. If it was a poor one, what did you learn from the experience? Can you use the information to make better decisions in the future?


		• Provide newspapers and news magazines for participants to look through to identify current social issues. • Have participants identify "good news" about social issues they find in news articles. Perhaps a problem issue is being addressed, or a positive social agenda has been promoted or passed in government. • For articles revealing problem issues, discuss the problem, how the article suggests it might be resolved and ask for participants’ input into possible solutions. • Select one of the articles that motivates participants to action – to learn more about the problem in their area, to research how widespread the problem is, or to act by letter writing or talking to others about ways to improve the situation.