Ancient Catholic rosary prayer rivals mindfulness for mental health benefits, study finds. Educated Catholics embrace tradition, challenging stereotypes.
Newsroom, June 21, 2025, Gaudium Press – In a world saturated with mindfulness apps and meditation studios, a groundbreaking international study reveals that the ancient Catholic practice of praying the rosary offers mental health benefits comparable to Eastern-inspired meditation techniques. Published in the Journal of Religion and Health, the research also upends stereotypes about who embraces this traditional devotion in 2025.
Researchers from Italy, Poland, and Spain surveyed 361 practicing Catholics to evaluate the rosary’s impact on mental health and well-being. Their findings show that regular rosary prayer correlates with higher well-being, increased empathy, and significantly reduced religious struggle or spiritual anxiety—benefits often associated with mindfulness practices. Surprisingly, 62.2% of participants held graduate or master’s degrees, challenging assumptions that traditional Catholic devotions appeal primarily to the less educated.
“We were struck by how this traditional practice transcends educational and generational boundaries,” said lead researcher Father Lluis Oviedo of the Pontifical University Antonianum in Rome. Speaking to Catholic News Agency, Oviedo explained that the study stemmed from frustration over the lack of research on the rosary’s benefits, despite its clear meditative qualities. “I was convinced we would find positive results, based on personal experience and the testimonies of others,” he said.
Cultural Variations in Practice
The study uncovered distinct cultural patterns across the three countries:
-
Poland led in engagement, with a rosary practice frequency score of 3.70, reflecting its deeply Catholic identity, resilient despite decades of communist suppression.
-
Italy, home to the Vatican, showed moderate engagement (3.38) but the highest empathy scores (4.31), suggesting the rosary fosters social connection in its communal culture.
-
Spain presented a paradox: lower frequency (3.35) but strong well-being outcomes, hinting at the persistence of traditional practices amid rapid secularization.
A Mental Health Lifeline
The study’s most compelling finding is the rosary’s role as a mental health intervention. Participants reported feelings of “spiritual peace, calm, and confidence” (26.3%), assistance with “coping with problems” (10.2%), and “protection against evil” (8.6%). One participant shared, “Praying the rosary saved my life. After my husband’s death, I couldn’t cope with the pain and emptiness. Every day, I reached for the rosary, and it gave me strength.”
The practice also correlated with reduced depression and increased optimism, rivaling the effects of mindfulness meditation—without the cost of retreats or app subscriptions.
Why It Matters
As mental health crises surge globally, particularly in the U.S. and Europe, the study suggests society may be overlooking accessible, culturally rooted tools for psychological well-being. In the U.S., where the wellness industry generates billions, the findings question the commodification of spirituality. In Germany, the rosary could bridge secular mental health approaches and traditional faith. In Poland, the research bolsters the mental health value of Catholic practices amid secularization pressures. In Italy, it offers an accessible resource for older generations less inclined toward secular therapy.
Breaking Academic Bias
The researchers highlighted a stark disparity in academic attention: PubMed lists 30,060 entries for “mindfulness” but only 13 for “rosary prayer.” They argue this reflects cultural biases dismissing Western devotions as outdated. Yet, their data shows the rosary’s repetitive structure—akin to mantra meditation—promotes emotional regulation and empathy, not isolation or narrow-mindedness as stereotypes suggest.
Oviedo noted a divide within Christianity between devotional and socially engaged believers. “It’s time to overcome this binary model and adopt a style that combines devotion and empathy,” he said, emphasizing that integrating both strengthens the Christian message.
A Call for Inclusive Spirituality
With mental health epidemics and spiritual emptiness on the rise, the rosary’s accessibility—requiring only beads and time—makes it a vital resource, especially for economically disadvantaged communities. The study doesn’t claim superiority for the rosary but advocates for recognizing diverse contemplative practices. “We count on a broader palette of spiritual expressions with similar positive effects,” one researcher said.
Oviedo expressed surprise at the media interest, given the neglect of such topics, even within Catholic circles. He criticized theological indifference toward devotional practices, calling for a “lived theology” that connects with believers’ experiences. “The rosary suggests a different approach to theology if we want to make the Christian message more credible,” he said.
- Raju Hasmukh with files from CNA
Related Images:
