Joy

Spiritual joy, often called joy in God, is an effect ofcharity.

Spiritual joy admits no admixture of sorrow, for it isjoy in the divine wisdom of which Scripture says (Wisd. 8:16),“Her conversation hath no bitterness.”

Spiritual joy is full and perfect when God is possessedby the soul, and nothing remains to be desired. It is manifest,therefore, that we cannot achieve the fullness of spiritual joyuntil we reach heaven.

Joy is not a virtue in itself; it is an act and aneffect of the virtue of charity, and it is numbered among thefruits of the Holy Ghost.