What does it truly mean to be Felicitous?

By Ava Hallinan (School Vice-Captain) and Mia Khoudair (School Captain)

At first glance, Felicity seems simple. It is often understood as happiness or joy. Yet as the year of Felicity has unfolded, it has become clear that this definition is incomplete. Felicity is a state of being, an inner peace that manifests within. Steady, grounding, and enduring. It is not dependent on external circumstances or fleeting moments of success, but instead grows from a disposition of the heart. To be felicitous is to remain faithful, hopeful, and trusting, even when life feels uncertain or challenging. This year has already taught us that Felicity does not mean ignoring hardship or pretending that difficulties do not exist. Rather, it means finding hope in hard times and choosing to respond with resilience and an open mind.

In all of her maxims and writings, Mary Ward mentions Felicity only once in her letter titled the ‘Just Soul Insight’, where she refers to the ‘Felicity of this estate’. When she refers to ‘this estate’, she means the estate of being with, belonging to and following the ways of God.

If she only mentioned Felicity once, why do we celebrate it as one of our five key Loreto values?

For Mary Ward, Felicity was never synonymous with comfort. It was, instead, “an attitude of the mind and a disposition of the heart.” By experiencing Felicity, not just as a shallow phrasing of happiness, but as a true experience of joy, Mary Ward invites us, as Loreto women, to have trust in our hearts that God will grant us the disposition of Felicity in our everyday lives.

Mary Ward lived in a world that questioned her and told her no, and through uncertainty, she did not lose her sense of purpose. Her Felicity wasn't rooted in success. It was rooted in courage and deep trust. She believed in finding God in all things, and through that lens, we came to see that Felicity is not something we wait for; it is something we actively practice. We practice it when we remain open-hearted. We practice it when we lift others up. We practice it when we choose faith over fear.

One of the most powerful realisations this year has been that Felicity does not exist in isolation. It depends on all of Loreto’s values. Felicity depends on freedom of the heart and mind. The freedom to be authentic. The freedom to stand firm in who we are. Felicity also depends on justice, as it calls us to act, and to recognise that our own inner peace is connected to the dignity of others. It depends on Sincerity, the courage to be honest with ourselves and with one another. Felicity is not pretending everything is fine. It is being truthful about what is difficult, while still choosing hope. Mary Ward believed that truth was not something to fear, but something that set us free. Verity calls us to be honest about who we are, about our struggles, and it is only through this honesty that true Felicity can exist.

“Grounded in faith, lifted in hope, we ignite the spark of joy”. Our theme for Felicity 2026 captures the essence of what it truly means to be felicitous. Being grounded means being rooted in values, traditions, and principles that shape who we are, it is our foundation that keeps us steady in the face of challenges. From this solid foundation, we are lifted by hope, the belief in brighter possibilities, and the courage to pursue our dreams. When these two forces come together, we become a source of joy for others. As Mary Ward said, "Show yourself at all times glad and joyful, for God loves a cheerful giver". True Felicity is not self-centred; it radiates outward, as when we cultivate joy within ourselves, it becomes a gift to those around us.

During this year of Felicity, we are reminded not to ignore hardship but instead find gratitude, hope, and purpose within them. Let us live this year with the understanding that Felicity is not found in the absence of difficulty, but in the way we face it. This year, we challenge you: Ignite your spark of joy and let it light the way for others.