Posted by Last Monday, I went to Fátima alongside another two hundred thousand people for the celebration of the 13th of May, the anniversary of the first apparition of Our Lady of Fátima. Fátima has always mesmerized me and fosters in me a connection to a deep sense of spirituality that I find hard to explain or rationalize. That is the good thing about spirituality, you don’t have to explain it. But it’s importance for happiness (and health) are increasingly relevant. As I came back, I found myself reflecting on the impact spirituality has had in my life.
Religion and Spirituality
I practice the Catholic religion, and as such Fátima has a meaning to me, and going to Mass is a habit I am seeking to rekindle with the kids after it got completely broken during Covid. But I am not here to talk about the Catholic Church, as much as that was part of the ask Our Lady of Fátima had for me – spread the word. More than believing in preaching my religion, I believe in preaching spirituality. Most people associate it with religion, but that does not always have to be the case.
Having practiced Catholicism for as long as I can remember, I must say I have only become truly spiritual in my late teenager years. There was a priest that gave his sermon as if he was talking to me. And so I listened. Often, I would come back from clubbing at 7am and be back up and going in Mass at 12 and (surprisingly) able to stay awake throughout. His words meant something, and, as a result, that determined the beginning of my truly spiritual path.
“Religion is a specific set of organised beliefs and practices, usually shared by a community or group. Spirituality is more of an individual practice and has to do with having a sense of peace and purpose.”
Reachout.com
A Pillar of Happiness
In Arthur Brooks and Oprah Winfrey’s “Build the Life You Want” book, the four pillars that support happiness are family, faith, friends and work. Faith can be seen as spirituality here. It is a sense of being part of something bigger than ourselves. It is the opposition to an individualism where the world circles around us only. Why does it help (not just according to me, more importantly per the authors!)
- A spiritual practice can help us be more resilient and manage our emotions. Practices like gratitude are a great way to focus on a more positive view of life;
- A spiritual connection or belief can help us manage in tougher times, where the importance of a higher being or meaning will be key for us to plough ahead;
- A spiritual belief can help us define, analyse and understand our values better, whether by attending celebrations, reflections, meditations or just silent moments to connect with our true north;
- Many spiritual practices can come alongside community, which is another pillar of happiness, and therefore strengthen another key aspect of a “happier” life.
And if you want harder science, the Harvard Study on Adult Development, one of the longest-running studies on happiness, provides valuable insights:
Spiritual practices, including participation in religious services and personal spiritual activities, are associated with numerous positive health outcomes. These include greater longevity, less depression, reduced suicide rates, and lower substance abuse. Spirituality also plays a crucial role in patient care, influencing quality of life and medical decision-making, especially for those facing serious illnesses (Harvard Gazette) (Harvard University)
Pilgrims and Devotion
I did not walk to Fátima, neither did I go to pay any promise done. Fátima is a short drive away from my home these days. However, I am not excluding the possibility of doing a promise one day, given we never know what life throws at us and whether moments of deep difficulty create the need for a promise. I like to think this does not work “quid pro quo” with the God that I follow, and that it is not on the basis of me putting 10 candles in the altar in Fátima that my sick relative will get better. But I see how easily we could go in that direction.
As to the walking, this is in the cards. I am not one with the belief that God requires us to suffer (again, I am speaking of “my” God here, but replace by what you believe in). However, I do think there is an element of stretching our limits that does allow us a greater connection with ourselves and with the world. Myself and Hubby B wanted to have walked the Camino de Santiago back in 2021, alongside our 10-year anniversary and return to Lisbon, however that was not possible and all we could muster was to drive through Santiago as part of our London to Lisbon road trip. After this week’s visit, I did get curious about looking into one of these walking pilgrimages, in a place with meaning, alongside people that share this spiritual path.
Snippets of Reflection
My favourite part about spirituality is that it favours reflection. A bit like my writing, come to think of it. Seating in Mass, I am unlikely to be surprised by any of the scriptures after more than 40 years attending Sunday Mass. But I am indeed often faced with a new perspective or a new way in how it fits into my life. I use the opportunities of prayer to think of those I often forget, to reflect on what I leave behind, to sit in the discomfort of some tears, to be grateful for the joy of life. It is my own way of being spiritual and connected to myself, to others, and to the world.
Image Credits: Created by OpenAI’s DALL-E