Mary, Mother of the Church:
A Living Guide for Hearts and VocationsAs we focus on the Month of the Rosary, Vicar General and Moderator of the Curia Very Rev. John Rice, hopes the faithful of the Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston will make time to focus on the guidance of Mary, Mother of the Church on Ecclesial (divine call to ordained priests and deacons; consecrated life; Catholic marriage; or single life holy and serving God)Vocations and how our mental health benefits from praying the Rosary.
These topics were highlighted in the Fall 2025 CARA (Center for Applied Research in the Apostolate) Report – a series of documents from CARA/studies and surveys that address aspects of the Church.
As Catholics we wholeheartedly honor Mary as the Mother of the Church, acknowledging she draws souls closer to her Son — guiding, comforting, and inspiring the faithful of every generation.
Two recent studies reveal what practicing Catholics have long experienced in their hearts – devotion to Mary and the Rosary profoundly shapes both our spiritual lives and our well-being.
The recent CARA report found that devotion to Mary has deeply influenced the faith journeys of bishops, priests, deacons, and religious in the United States (1,019 completed the survey for the study). More than half (59%) said Mary’s presence and intercession played an important role in their “discernment of a vocation” to serve Christ and His Church.
Their individual devotions varied — from praying the Rosary privately or in community, to making pilgrimages to beloved Marian shrines like Lourdes, Fatima, and Guadalupe. Many shared that these prayers and pilgrimages awakened a personal sense of calling and reminded them that, through Mary, they never walk alone.
Of those surveyed 66% were cradle Catholics. The other 34 %reported that a Marian devotion was inspirational to their conversion.
Even after entering ministry or consecrated life, devotion to Mary remains a daily source of strength. Eighty percent of those surveyed stated they actively turn to her in prayer; and 80% said their Marian devotion has deepened their love for the Eucharist — the Source and Summit of the Catholic Church.
Through the Rosary and her example of humble faith, Mary continues to form hearts to say “yes” to God’s will.
Beyond the spiritual realm, researchers are also discovering what countless Catholics already know: praying the Rosary brings peace to the mind and soul.
A 2025 international study published in the Journal of Religion and Health found that regular devotion to the Rosary is linked to lower stress and depression, greater empathy, and stronger community bonds.
The study noted that this meditative prayer appeals across generations and backgrounds — uniting young and old, educated and humble, clergy and laity — in one shared rhythm of faith, hope, and love.
The Rosary not only connects us to Mary but also helps us breathe more deeply, think more compassionately, and live more peacefully, according to researchers.
Together, these studies remind us that Mary is not just a figure of the past — she is a living mother, tenderly guiding her children today. Her example calls us to trust, to listen, and to say “yes” even when the path ahead seems uncertain.
In every decade of the Rosary, we walk with her through the mysteries of Christ —His life through her eyes, and to feel His love through her heart.
Whether whispered alone in quiet moments or prayed in a circle of friends and family, the Rosary continues to unite heaven and earth in a song of faith that never fades.
Holy Mary, Mother of the Church, pray for us.