(ZENIT News / Vienna, 06.01.2025).- In an era dominated by digital distractions and therapeutic trends, few would expect a centuries-old string of beads to offer what modern medicine and mindfulness apps promise: deep calm, emotional regulation, and even physical relief. Yet a December 2024 study, drawing from both clinical observation and spiritual insight, has found just that—the Rosary, long viewed as a simple devotional practice, may be far more than religious routine. It may, in fact, be medicine for the soul and body alike. The research highlights something compelling: the rhythmic prayers of the Rosary appear to ease tension, foster emotional stability, and generate a uniquely holistic form of peace. Unlike many secular mindfulness techniques that prioritize neutrality and detachment, the Rosary taps into something personal and relational. It is not merely a mantra; it is a dialogue. For Christian Spaemann, a respected Austrian psychiatrist and psychotherapist, this is no surprise. In a recent interview with journalist Barbara Wenz, Spaemann explains that the Rosary opens not just the mind, but the heart—to a presence that is maternal, concrete, and enduring. “We must first believe,” he says, “that the Mother of Jesus is truly our Mother, and that she is present, with a heart open to us.” Once that threshold of trust is crossed, something shifts.
