The words “happiness” and “joy” are often used interchangeably, and their definitions share many similarities. When probed from a Catholic perspective, however, we can draw some distinctions. While we have to wait for the afterlife to attain perfect happiness, we can experience complete joy right now. And while we can actively seek temporal goods for ourselves that provide a sense of fleeting happiness, only God can instill enduring joy in our hearts and souls.
Saint Augustine poses the question: “Is not the happy life the thing that all desire, and is there anyone who does not desire it at all?” We are all created with a universal longing for happiness. But what exactly does it mean to be happy?