The Healing Ministry of Humor

You know, a frown takes x number of muscles to execute, while a smile
only needs ½ x – you don’t get as stressed out smiling. Ok?

Humor is good for you, reports the Buffalo News. "First, there are the
cardiovascular benefits one good belly-laugh can elevate someone’s heart
rate and blood pressure for five minutes. The rates they return to tend to
be lower than they were before." Laughter also relaxes muscles and prompts
the immune system to release antibodies that fight infection.

and..

Wednesday nights at the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Roman Catholic Church in Wynnewood, Pa., feature "holy laughter."
Kay Raftery writes in the Philadelphia Inquirer: "The priest stands
before the altar and, microphone in hand, exhorts the congregation:
‘Ha, ha, ho ho.’ From somewhere in the pews come a titter. "ha ha,
ho ho,’ the priest repeats. The giggling spreads and grows into knee-
slapping, side-splitting belly laughs that leave worshippers gasping
for breath. They howl through the hymns, chortle during the Scriptures.
The sermon racks them up." The laughter was introduced four years
ago by Monsignor Vincent Walsh.

Recently, a committee of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia has been
showing up at his services, to judge whether the "holy laughter" falls
within theological limits.