Saying the Rosary good for soul -- and heart

CAMERON SIMPSON

SAYING the rosary is good for the heart as well as the soul.

According to research by Italian scientists, reciting the rosary has a similar effect to the Eastern practice of yoga.

Espoused by celebrities such as Madonna and Geri Halliwell, the practice of yoga slows breathing and induces a favourable effect on the heart’s rhythm.

Luciano Bernardi, associate professor of internal medicine at Pavia University, recorded breathing rates in 23 healthy adults during normal talking, recitation of the rosary, yoga mantras, and six minutes of controlled breathing.

Breathing was markedly more regular during the rosary and the mantra and was slowed to about six breaths a minute.

The results mean yoga enhances "aspects" of heart and lung function and might be viewed as a health practice as well as a religious practice, he said.

The benefits of breathing exercises in yoga have long been reported, and mantras may have evolved as a simple device to slow respiration, improve concentration, and induce calm, Professor Bernardi says in this week’s British Medical Journal.

Similarly, the rosary may have partly evolved because it synchronised with the body’s natural heart rhythms, and thus gave a feeling of well-being, and perhaps an increased responsiveness to the religious message, he said.

As such, the rosary might be viewed as a health practice as well as a religious one he said.

A spokesman for the Roman Catholic Church in Scotland was not surprised by the findings of the therapeutic benefits of saying the rosary. He said: "It’s good to know that spiritual health and physical health are linked. This proves what people thought long ago - that a healthy mind is linked to a healthy body.

Prof Bernardi also notes the historic and cultural links between yoga mantras and Catholic chants. He said: "It’s what the Church has been offering for centuries.

"Saying these prayers can lead to a calming and enhanced feeling of well-being."

The Herald Friday 21 December 2001

Isn't it good to be told something we have always known ?
Thought this extract from the our national Paper might appeal. Though the Rosary is mentioned, I personally feels this applies to any prayer said with repetitions - certainly I know when I have spent time with the Jesus Prayer, particularly recently, that I am conscious of the calming effect.

[ 12-22-2001: Message edited by: Our Lady's slave of love ]

Sorry - hit wrong button

[ 12-22-2001: Message edited by: Our Lady's slave of love ]

As far as I know this has also been claimed for the offering of the Jesus Prayer. In fact, if I am not mistaken, several Orthodox have written on the psychological and physical benefits of The Jesus Prayer. I have personally experienced both mental and physical benefits from the quiet and prayerful recitation of both the rosary and The Jesus Prayer. Each morning around 5, after I take my cocker spaniel puppy for her morning investigation of the property, I sit in a chair, in the dark, and pray my rosary followed by my Prayer Rope. By that time the sun is on the Ozark horizon and I am spiritually prepared for Liturgy and the rest of my day. Thank you, Mary's Slave of Love, for the wonderful reflection on the benefits of the rosary. The Theotokos sure knew what she was doing when she gave that wonderful prayer to her children. And, Merry Christmas!
unworthy Silouan; old monk

I'm still testing the waters at my local Byzantine Catholic Church and attended services there again today. A few years ago I made my consecretion to Our Lady and was surprised to find out today that this Church recites the rosary before Sunday services.

They also have a website now (in case anyone wants to take a look) http://petersen.freehomepage.com

Regarding prayers .... I remember my mother (deceased) saying my life would not be so difficult if only I would pray. It wasn't until after she left us that I realized how right she was. I'm sure she knows.

Loretta

As one Slave to another, Loretta -- we know how beneficial it is. From time to time people keep saying that the Rosary is a Western Devotion. I have discovered to my joy that it is not.

May the Blessings of the Christ Child be with you and those whom you love.

Angela

Dear Angela,

Happy Christmas! Many thanks for the Herald article. I believe it!

You, Loretta and Fr Silouan might like to see my Rosary page on my site (the link is on the Faith page) to see how I do it. Basically the opening and closing prayers have been replaced with Byzantine ones.

http://oldworldrus.com

C Roshdectvom Xristov'm,

I once read somewhere that St. Seraphim of Sarov prayed the Holy Rosary. I think the image of this holy Eastern staretz praying a largely Western devotion is an inspiration for the Unia.

Dmitri

Serge,
Thanks for that link. For once it worked for me and I was very interested in how you, personally, pray the Rosary.
I do try to pray all 15 decades every day , not always successfully but I try.

Dmitri,
I too have heard that about St Seraphim [ and me an RC too ]
Isn't it nice that we do share some devotions - not just the Rosary but others too ?

One of my Christmas presents was a copy of 'The Way of the Pilgrim' [actually from Tina] and I am longing to 'get into' it and learn more about the Jesus Prayer - which I do say, and have for many years

I hope all those who celebrated the Birth of Our Lord and Saviour yesterday had a day filled with awe and wonder [ for the Old Calendar adherents - your Day will come and then we will share in your joy ]

May Our Mother, my Mistress, keep you all in Her tender care.

Angela

[ 12-26-2001: Message edited by: Our Lady's slave of love ]

[ 12-27-2001: Message edited by: Our Lady's slave of love ]

Dear Friends,

Yes, St Seraphim of Sarov and St Seraphim Zvezdinsky (the Hierarch entrusted with the cause of the canonization of St Seraphim) popularized the "Rule of the Mother of God" or the Rosary with 15 decades complete with meditations for each.

St Seraphim Zvezdinsky actually followed a program of prayer of the Rosary that closely resembled that of St Louis de Montfort in his "True Devotion!"

Happy New Year!

Alex