I went to mass this morning. I have such different perspective after having been away from the church essentially for about 15 years.
One thing that struck me as I sat in on the tail end of the 7 am service waiting for the 8 am service was everyone sat by themselves, a comfortable distance away from each other and, not surprisingly, everyone was old.
I couldn't tell whether or not they were happier than others. They clearly are regulars which would make them fairly devout, but I wonder if devotion in this case equals happiness. I wonder if they are happier because they are devout or their devotion guilts them into going to mass frequently.
I think people who have a real faith that there is some sort of God and are thoughtful about their relationship towards God after time and effort will be happier, I just don't know if it works in the Catholic context.