Easter is about hope. But recall that one year ago, Pope Francis mustered the strength to give one last blessing from the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica and died the next day.
Things felt uncertain. They felt fragile.
However, consider the resurgence of hope we have experienced just one year later, by perusing some recent headlines. One might think we are living in an alternate universe.
Good news for Catholics
“Roman Catholic Churches See a Surge of New Converts,” said a recent New York times article, talking about the spike in recent converts often among the young in dioceses across America. They found the experience to be common after speaking with two dozen dioceses, both urban and rural. In the Diocese of Des Moines, the number of converts jumped 51% from last year’s count.
According to a recent Harvard University study, Catholicism is seeing a rebirth among Gen Z.
Let’s not forget the fact that the Catholic Church elected its first American Pope, something once considered impossible. Among Americans, the pope has the highest rate of approval of any global leader, according to Gallup.
The pope has called for building peace and ending war, which he again emphasized in his first Palm Sunday homily, mindful of war-torn places like Ukraine and the Middle East.
People are responding to this pastoral message.
Young converts
Every Easter Vigil thousands of people complete the Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (OCIA).
During the vigil these adults will be officially welcomed into the Catholic Church and receive the sacraments of Baptism, Eucharist, and Confirmation for the first time.
Many of the converts are young people. At Oklahoma State University, the St. John University Parish and Newman Center welcomed 62 fully professed Catholics last year alone! Catholic Extension Society supports this campus ministry.
On Ash Wednesday this year, 1,200 OSU students came to receive ashes.
For years we were told that young people were spiritual but not religious. It turns out many of them are religious too.
What accounts for this surge of young converts? There are many theories.
Ironically, the first generation to grow up as “natives” to smart phones longs for authentic human connection. In the totalitarian age of “screen time” they are searching for something deeper than cannot be found through endless scrolls of algorithmically fed content.
Amazingly it is not the glow of their phones, but the red glow of the Tabernacle candle, the smell of incense, the comfort of the pews and well-worn kneelers, and the solidity of 2,000 years of ritual and sacrament that are bringing them back to their most authentic selves.
Building room for everyone
So many churches are bursting at the seams that Catholic Extension Society has spent the past year helping to build new facilities all across the country. This includes churches like Our Lady of the Desert in Mattawa, Washington, where nearly everyone works in agriculture.
Half of the rural town attends Mass on Sunday (about 1,800 people). More people sit outside for Mass than can fit inside the church’s walls.
Thankfully, with our help, this community hopes to dedicate their new church this summer, and not a moment too soon, to accommodate all the people. Read more about Our Lady of the Desert’s church building project here.
Something good is definitely happening in the Catholic Church. So, this Easter, come early. Wear comfortable shoes. Stake out a place with a good view. The Catechumens are coming—and with them, the renewal of our entire church.
Catholic Extension Society works in solidarity with people to build up vibrant and transformative Catholic faith communities. Please support our mission.
