How to Discover Authentic Happiness

How do you find authentic happiness? Every person has a desire to be happy, but it isn’t always clear how to attain it. Today, Fr. Josh shares what Scripture tells us in regards to finding happiness.

Snippet from the Show
We can find happiness by turning to the Word of God instead of seeking it in the world.


Shownotes

Glory Story (1:43)

Listener Question (4:37)

How do we experience authentic happiness, not the happiness of the world but authentic happiness?

Saint Story: Blessed Natalia Tułasiewicz (14:20)

Natalia was born in 1906 in Poland. She grew up in a very loving family with five brothers and sisters and was well-educated. Growing up she went through the death of a cousin as well as her oldest sister. She sought comfort in the Lord and also tried to bring comfort to her family who was suffering from the loss. Natalia also went through much physical suffering due to several surgeries and tuberculosis.

During her time in school, she met a man named Janek. They fell in love and eventually got engaged. However, due to Janek’s beliefs and ideas, Natalia broke off the engagement. In her writings, it is clear that this was not an easy thing to go through.

Natalia did much to grow in her faith. She attended Mass frequently, went on retreats, and prayed in Adoration regularly. She felt called to give her life to God but not as a religious sister. Instead, she felt called to be in the world and serve the Lord.

When World War II broke out, she moved with her family to Kraków. Eventually, Natalia volunteered to take part in a very dangerous mission. She was sent to help those in labor camps and despite her own ailments and physical limitations, she worked hard to serve the people. 

Natalia was discovered and arrested in 1944. She was interrogated and tortured and eventually sent to the women’s penal camp in Ravensbrück. While in this camp, she continued evangelizing and serving others.

On March 30, 1945, Natalia was chosen during roll call and killed in a gas chamber the next day. St. John Paul II beatified her on June 13, 1999.


Resources


Meet Fr. Josh Johnson

While Fr. Josh was raised Catholic, he didn’t like the Church growing up. Then, one day in adoration, he fell in love with Jesus and received the call to become a priest.

Now, Fr. Josh is the Vocations Director of the Diocese of Baton Rouge in Louisiana. He is a presenter in four of Ascension’s programs: Altaration, YOU: Life, Love, and the Theology of the Body, The 99, and Connected: Catholic Social Teaching for This Generation, as well as the author of Broken and Blessed: An Invitation to My Generation, Pocket Guide to Adoration, and co-author of Pocket Guide to Reconciliation.

1 Comment

  1. Thanks for your insight Fr. Josh- about even things like sleep and food influencing our mood, but esp. remembering to consul the WORD.. May God bless you!

    Reply

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