Recent research suggests that devotions resonate deeply among highly educated people, indicating that intellectual formation and spiritual tradition are not mutually exclusive.
Newsroom (29/06/2025 17:19, Gaudium Press) The newspaper El Debate, based on information from CNA, reports that praying the Rosary not only unites us with heaven, but also provides greater personal well-being, higher levels of empathy and a lower incidence of conflict.
The research that led to these conclusions, published in the Journal of Religion and Health, analyzed 361 participants from three countries with a strong Catholic tradition: Italy, Poland and Spain.
In addition, the data revealed a finding: more than 60% of those interviewed had postgraduate studies, thus challenging the idea that traditional devotions only attract people with a low level of education. “We were struck by how this practice transcends educational and generational boundaries,” said Father Lluís Oviedo, lead researcher and professor at the Pontifical Antonianum University in Rome.
Of the three countries analyzed, although in Poland the Rosary is prayed a little more, in Italy those who pray this Marian prayer obtained the highest score in empathy. The study suggests that this prayer not only nourishes personal spirituality, but also strengthens the bond with others.
Rosary reduces depressive symptoms
One of the most important findings of the study is the positive impact that reciting the Rosary has on the mental health of those who practice it. Participants indicated that this prayer gives them “spiritual peace, calm and confidence” (26.3%), makes it easier to face problems (10.2%) and offers a feeling of “protection from evil” (8.6%).
The analysis suggests that religiosity – and in particular the practice of the Rosary – improves personal well-being in two main ways: it promotes greater empathy towards others and helps to reduce internal conflicts related to faith, such as doubts, guilt or spiritual tensions. The characteristic repetition of the Hail Mary generates a meditative state that helps to calm anxiety and regulate emotions. Contrary to stereotypes that associate these practices with social isolation, the study observed that greater recitation of the Rosary is related to greater connection and empathy with others.
The study does not seek to promote conversion or present the Rosary as a magic formula, but rather to highlight that there are multiple ways to face suffering and find meaning. At a time when a single vision of well-being is often imposed, the researchers invite us to recognize the value of traditional spiritual practices as part of a broader and deeper human search. As one of the authors warns: “We have a broader palette of spiritual or religious expressions with similar positive effects, and so we can avoid some quasi-spiritual monopolies and one-sided expressions in the usual counseling and care interventions.”
Compiled by Teresa Joseph
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