The pursuit of happiness is a universal human endeavor. For the Christian, joy is not a fleeting emotion but a deep-seated fruit of the Holy Spirit (Galatians 5:22), cultivated through specific, time-tested practices. These disciplines—prayer, gratitude, service, and love for Mary—are not merely spiritual commands; they are a roadmap to human flourishing, a fact increasingly corroborated by modern science. By examining the lives of the saints, we see these principles embodied with radical clarity.
1. Personal Prayer
Christian Perspective: Personal prayer is the intimate dialogue between the soul and God. It is the "vital and personal relationship with the living and true God" (Catechism of the Catholic Church, 2558). This communion is the source of a peace "which surpasses all understanding" (Philippians 4:7).
Father Francis's life was one of constant, fervent prayer. He would often withdraw to secluded caves or forests for all-night vigils. His famous prayer, "My God and my all!" was a constant murmur from his heart, encapsulating his focus on God's presence in everything. It was from this deep well of prayer that he received the stigmata on Mount Alverna, a profound union born of contemplative intimacy.
The classic spiritual book "The Way of the Pilgrim" offers a profound and practical understanding of prayer, centred mainly on the call to "pray without ceasing." Through the simple yet powerful repetition of the Jesus Prayer—"Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner"—the pilgrim discovers that prayer is not merely a ritual or an occasional act, but a continuous awareness of God's loving presence. The book teaches that this prayer gradually descends from the lips to the mind and ultimately to the heart, becoming an inner movement of grace rather than a mere human effort. As the pilgrim perseveres, he experiences deep peace, humility, freedom from anxious thoughts, and a growing love for all people. In this way, The Way of the Pilgrim reveals that true prayer transforms ordinary life into a sacred journey, where every moment becomes an opportunity for communion with God.
Neurological Regulation: fMRI studies show that contemplative prayer increases activity in the frontal lobes (responsible for focus and emotional Regulation) and calms the amygdala (the fear center). St. Francis's all-night prayers were, in effect, a powerful neural workout, building his remarkable resilience and capacity for joy amid hardship.
The Relaxation Response: The repetitive, rhythmic nature of prayers like the Rosary or the Jesus Prayer elicits a documented physiological state of deep rest, lowering heart rate and blood pressure. This scientific finding explains the palpable serenity observed in contemplatives, a serenity that persists even in the face of suffering, as seen in Mother Teresa.
2. Gratitude
Christian Perspective: Gratitude (eucharistia) is the heartbeat of Christian life, recognizing every good thing as a gift from a loving Father. It is a deliberate choice to "give thanks in all circumstances" (1 Thessalonians 5:18), reframing one's entire worldview through the lens of grace.
Father Francis's "Canticle of the Sun" is a masterpiece of gratitude, praising God for "Brother Sun," "Sister Moon," "Brother Fire," and even "Sister Bodily Death." He didn't just thank God for things; he saw all creation as a family, and gratitude was the natural response. This transformed his perception of poverty and suffering, enabling him to find joy in the absence of things.
Blessed Solanus Casey embodied a profound spirit of gratitude that permeated every aspect of his life and ministry. Known for his simple yet powerful counsel, "Thank God ahead of time," he viewed gratitude not merely as a polite response to blessings already received but as a courageous act of trust in God's providence. Through his gentle presence, he taught that gratitude transforms the ordinary into the sacred and opens the human heart to healing. Blessed Solanus invites us to cultivate a grateful heart—one that recognizes God's hidden work, embraces life with confidence, and discovers holiness in simplicity and trust.
Neurochemical Shift: Research by Dr. Robert Emmons confirms that gratitude journaling boosts levels of dopamine and serotonin, the brain's "feel-good" neurotransmitters. St. Francis's poetic praise was a powerful cognitive exercise that actively rewired his brain to default to positivity.
The Broaden-and-Build Theory: Gratitude expands our cognitive and emotional resources. By focusing on the positive (e.g., "Brother Sun"), we become more creative, resilient, and open to building social bonds. This perspective explains the magnetic, joyful communities that formed around grateful saints like Francis.
3. Happy Service (Charity)
Christian Perspective: For a Christian, service (diakonia) is the joyful imitation of Christ, who "came not to be served but to serve" (Mark 10:45). It is love made tangible. This "happy service" transforms duty into privilege and sacrifice into joy, because in serving the "least of these," we serve Christ Himself (Matthew 25:40).
Father Francis's most iconic act of service was kissing the leper. He did not just give the man alms; he embraced the very thing his society and his own flesh recoiled from. He saw the face of Christ in the outcast. This act liberated him from fear and filled him with a profound joy that fueled his entire ministry. He also famously "preached the Gospel always, and when necessary, used words," showing that service itself is a form of proclamation.
Elizabeth Dunn's research on happiness reveals that generosity is one of the most reliable pathways to well-being. Through her studies on "charity," she demonstrates that people experience greater and more lasting happiness when they use their resources to help others rather than themselves. She notes that the joy of giving does not depend on the amount. Still, in the meaning, when generosity is voluntary, personally relevant, and connected to real people, it strengthens happiness and social bonds and increases positive emotions. Even small acts of charity can create significant boosts in happiness, offering individuals a sense of purpose, connection, and resilience, especially during difficult times. Dunn's work ultimately shows that a life of sharing leads to more profound joy than one of accumulation.
The Helper's High: Acts of charity trigger the release of endorphins and oxytocin, creating a genuine neurochemical "high." When Francis kissed the leper, his brain was likely flooded with these compounds, reinforcing the behavior and associating it with profound reward.
Reduced Mortality and Stress: Longitudinal studies show that regular volunteers have lower cortisol levels and longer lifespans. The intense, lifelong service of figures like Mother Teresa, while physically demanding, was likely buffered by these physiological benefits, providing the energy and resilience needed for their missions.
4. Love for Mother Mary: The Archetype of Trust
Christian Perspective: Love for Mary is veneration (hyperdulia), not worship. She is honored as the perfect disciple, the Mother of God, and the spiritual mother of all believers (John 19:26-27). She is the ultimate model of saying "yes" to God (Luke 1:38). Devotion to her provides a model of faith, a source of intercession, and a maternal comfort that leads the faithful closer to her Son.
Father Francis had a tender devotion to the Virgin Mary, whom he called the "Virgin Made Church." He saw her as the ultimate model of poverty and humility, for she gave her very body to God. He and his friars rebuilt the chapel of Santa Maria degli Angeli (Our Lady of the Angels), which became the home base for his order—literally building a home under her patronage.
St. John Paul II: His papal motto, Totus Tuus ("Totally Yours"), was directed to Mary. He attributed his survival of an assassination attempt to her intercession, placing the bullet in the crown of her statue in Fatima. His Devotion was not passive; it was a dynamic trust that fueled his courageous papacy.
St. Thérèse of Lisieux: Thérèse had a deeply childlike and trusting relationship with Mary. She wrote about looking to Mary not as a remote queen, but as a true mother, especially when she was gravely ill as a child and was healed after praying before a statue of the Virgin.
Secure Attachment Theory: A healthy maternal bond is crucial for emotional security. For a believer, Mary functions as a perfect "secure base," a constant, loving, and nonjudgmental presence. This internalized secure attachment can reduce existential anxiety, a benefit seen in the boldness of saints like John Paul II.
