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CV NEWS FEED // Saints’ popularity and prayer intentions appear to be based on regional and cultural differences across the US, according to a new study of Google searches.
Catholic store Mondo Cattolico stated in an emailed news release that it analyzed monthly searches for Catholic saints in every state, as well as common intentions and popular prayers. According to the study’s findings, St. Michael “is most searched in areas with strong protective traditions,” like California and Texas, and Marian devotion appears to be popular in areas with high numbers of immigrants, like Florida and New York.
“St. Francis of Assisi resonates in environmentally conscious regions like Oregon and Vermont, while St. Jude is particularly sought in Arizona and New Mexico. Though less frequently searched, St. Joseph remains significant in Illinois, where his role as a fatherly protector aligns with local traditions,” Mondo Cattolico added.
The two most-searched-for prayers appeared to be the Hail Mary and the St. Michael the Archangel prayer, once again aligning with “protective” or immigrant-populated areas. According to the news release, most popular prayer intentions appeared to be for “love” and “dying.”
Mondo Cattolico said that being aware of what saints or prayers are popular in a region can help discover societal trends or focus religious outreach, community engagement, or business opportunities.
“The findings provide opportunities for fostering interfaith dialogue and strengthening community bonds through shared spiritual values,” Mondo Cattolico said in the release.
The store later added that “Catholic businesses can tailor product offerings, promotions, and campaigns to resonate with regional devotions, especially around feast days or highly searched saints.”
