The numbers are in, and they are staggering. Across the United States and around the world, the number of converts entering the Catholic Church at the Easter Vigil is at record highs.
Shane Schaetzel, writing in Catholic Online News, reports that adult conversions here in the U.S. have reached numbers not seen for 20 years. One diocese after another confirms that: In Detroit, more than 1,400 are coming into the Church–the highest number in two decades. National Catholic Register staff reporter Matthew McDonald summarized some of the notable increases, including St. Petersburg, FL (with an 84% increase), Austin, TX (53%), Harrisburg, PA (77%), Altoona-Johnstown, PA (84%), Pueblo, CO (105%), and Norwich, CT (with a 112% spike).
The good news continues. Writing for Zeale, Elizabeth Weiss reports that the Archdiocese of Los Angeles will welcome 8,500 new Catholics at the Easter Vigil.
Lest readers think that this is purely an American phenomenon, we must consider similar news from around the world. In England, an encouraging report comes from Westminster, where 800 people will enter the Church this year, a 60% increase from last year.
In Nottingham, England, the diocese will welcome 249 converts, the highest number in forty years. London is seeing a 60% increase over last year.
In Dublin, Ireland—once considered a Catholic hot spot—the Faith has been waning. But the 129 adults who will enter the Church at Dublin’s St. Mary’s Cathedral are, in fact, the largest number of converts in recent history.
Belgium’s 689 adult converts represent a 30% increase from last year and a 300% increase from ten years ago.
The encouraging reports continue. In Australia, the Archdiocese of Sydney compares the current year’s new Catholics with the number recorded just one year ago. Sydney claims a one-year increase of 35% more catechumens awaiting baptism, and a 95% increase in candidates for full communion.
And Melbourne’s 550 entering Catholics represent a 57% increase from last year.
Truly, the Holy Spirit has been at work in the world.
As new Catholics show up in the pews on Sunday morning, we should make them feel welcome, offering a warm smile, a handshake, an after-Mass conversation over donuts or in the parking lot. Perhaps you can point them to the parish library, recommending books that have been particularly helpful in your own walk of faith.
But there’s more. Many of those “new” Catholics have passed through OCIA classes and have learned the basics of the Faith. Ours is a rich and complex religion. The new Catholics (and the rest of us) can benefit from additional classes and presentations, delving into stories of saints, eras of Church history, and various practices. They may appreciate an invitation to join the Rosary Guild or the Knights of Columbus. If they’ve brought children with them into the Church, those children can be introduced to Catholic playmates their own age.
Above all, let us continue to hold in prayer our newest Catholic friends, praying that God will lead them to the people who can help the most as they, along with us, grow closer to Christ day by day.
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Doesn’t make a dent in the 80% or so of people under age 60 who were baptized as infants but have left the Church over the past 30 years. If the Holy Spirit were truly at work, seems to me he should have paid more attention to loss prevention.
I suppose the 12 Apostles were warned that they would not make a dent either.
What a thoroughly silly comment. God be praised for these signs of life!
Doesn’t make a dent? Try telling that to the original 12 Apostles. I think they had the whole world to evangelize .
God ALWAYS does his part. Sadly, sometimes we do not do our part to respond to his love.
What a cynical thing to say! And what are you doing? Go volunteer to help with OCIA and see the joy of the new converts to Catholicism and the new Christians. Help with the hospitality group and welcome new people that come to your church. We’ve seen record numbers at my own church and we all should be praising God instead of talking smack about the Holy Spirit! Praying for your soul.
People have free will to choose and there are many influences in this world, working very hard to lead them astray. The Church has been attacked from the very beginning. She is still here after more than 2,000 years. The gates of hell will not prevail!
Excellent point Donald! Thank you for calling people to open their eyes and see the real picture. Record numbers in is meaningless if it’s exceeded by the number of those leaving and those just giving up all together.
Just a month ago our pastor announced the largest ever group incoming for Easter Vigil. Then Archbishop Sample said the same for Portland diocese. Then news reports of NYC Greenwich village parish busting out as well. Last Spring it was England and France. Thanks to CWR for reporting this is now a certifiable deluge!
What the Catholic Church continues to reveal during a very chaotic Christian historical experience is, despite climactic controversies and disunity, Catholicism alone remains steady at the helm.
This is seen in her basic direction, what She teaches and holds to, doctrine that repudiates the degrading ideologies affecting human nature.
That She alone, amidst the crumbling and disunity other Churches are suffering – retains a consistent, coherent message regarding existence and Man’s purpose in life. She alone assuages the yearning for truth and meaning.
Further reflexion on the phenomenon why Catholics are leaving the Church while outsiders are entering is a matter of expectation and perceptive conditioning. Life long Catholics expect solid, clear annunciation of the faith absent of questioning, new ideologies, ‘heretical’ proposals.
Whereas the outsider expecting chaos consistent with other denominations perceive the controversies within Catholicism, nevertheless perceive a consistency in formal doctrine, that the controversial proposals are never formalized. For the non Catholic seeking truth and meaning to apprehend what for them belies expectation, is a marvel that suggests the hand of God.
I was an “outsider” until I learned the truth of the Holy Sacraments. It was the Eucharist in particular that called to me. The “controversies” are just noise. No turning back!
Yes.
Great news!
Nobody is happier to see the new younger members than the “seasoned” among us.
Someone told us there were 81 people entering the Church at our former parish in Beaufort SC. That’s an outstanding number!
As I read this article, my thoughts were turned to the parable of the lost sheep found in Luke 15, “Just so, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance.”
I don’t really have any kind of an answer for those who fall away from the path of truth and the Holy Sacraments. This life is challenging for even the strongest among us. Those like myself that are weak find challenges around every corner. It often makes me think that some of us seek out challenges rather than avoid them. When we overlay a context of how the actions of others affect us – or we allow to affect us – the story becomes rather complicated. For me the times enjoyed with Saint John Paul II and Benedict XVI. They both were as cool water to a parched throat. Then the trial of who followed, which was a source of constant confusion.
Yes, we should offer continual prayers for those who now walk a stoney path, and we should rejoice for those who have found the path of Truth and Light.
Beautifully said Michael B. Thank you!