Rosary Matches Meditation for Mental Health, Study Reveals

Brussels, Belgium, June 22, 2025 : A new international study suggests that praying the rosary offers mental health benefits comparable to modern mindfulness and Eastern meditation practices.

Published in the Journal of Religion and Health, the research surveyed 361 practising Catholics in Italy, Poland, and Spain. It found that those who regularly prayed the rosary reported higher well-being, greater empathy, and lower spiritual anxiety—outcomes often linked to mainstream meditation.

Lead researcher Fr. Lluis Oviedo of the Pontifical University Antonianum in Rome said the study stemmed from frustration over the lack of research on the rosary. “We wanted to see if this traditional Catholic prayer showed the same benefits as popular meditation techniques,” he said.

Contrary to assumptions, 62.2% of respondents held graduate or master’s degrees, challenging the stereotype that traditional devotions are mostly practised by the less educated. “This practice transcends educational and generational boundaries,” Oviedo noted.

The study highlighted cultural variations. Poland showed the highest frequency of rosary prayer (3.70), while Italian respondents had the highest empathy scores (4.31). In Spain, fewer participants prayed the rosary frequently, but those who did reported strong well-being outcomes, reflecting its enduring impact amid secularisation.

Many participants described the rosary as a vital tool for coping. One shared: “Praying the rosary saved my life… it gave me strength after my husband’s death.” Commonly reported effects included spiritual peace (26.3%), help with problems (10.2%), and protection from evil (8.6%).

The research also indicated that the rosary could reduce depression and increase optimism, rivalling mindfulness practices without costly subscriptions or retreats. Despite this, PubMed lists over 30,000 entries for “mindfulness” and only 13 for “rosary prayer,” exposing a cultural bias.

Rosary practice was not linked to social isolation but to increased empathy and stronger social bonds. Oviedo said the findings should prompt the Church to bridge the divide between devotion and social engagement.

With rising global mental health challenges, especially in the West, the researchers call for broader recognition of accessible, culturally rooted practices like the rosary. Oviedo concluded, “The rosary shows how lived faith can support emotional well-being. Theology must start listening to the real spiritual lives of believers.”

Source : CNA