Offrejoie

Offrejoie (French, pronounced [ɔfʁəʒwa]) is a term used primarily in the context of Catholic, and specifically Carmelite, spirituality. It signifies the conscious and deliberate offering up of one's joys and happiness to God.

The practice of offrejoie is rooted in the understanding that even moments of joy and consolation are gifts from God and, as such, can be offered back to Him in gratitude and love. It is a way of consecrating these happy moments, uniting them with prayer and sacrifice for the benefit of others, the Church, or the world.

While suffering and hardship are often presented as opportunities for offering, offrejoie emphasizes that positive experiences can also be a source of spiritual richness when intentionally directed towards God. It is not meant to diminish or invalidate the experience of joy itself, but rather to deepen its meaning and connect it to a larger purpose.

The concept is often associated with figures such as Saint Thérèse of Lisieux, although the explicit term offrejoie may not have been used by her directly. The spirit of her "Little Way" emphasizes finding God in the ordinary, including moments of happiness, and using them for spiritual growth and the salvation of souls.

The offering of joys can take various forms, from a simple mental prayer of gratitude to a more formal act of dedication. The essence lies in the intention to consciously direct the positive experience towards God and to use it as a means of grace.