“The Catholic Church is an institution I am bound to hold divine — but for unbelievers a proof of its divinity might be found in the fact that no merely human institution conducted with such knavish imbecility would have lasted a fortnight.” — Hilaire Belloc

Mr. Belloc, the writer, politician, and college professor of the first half of the twentieth century, had it about right in the quote above. The Church has suffered many self-inflicted wounds in the sense of scandals, bad Catholic political leaders, corrupt clergy, etc. And yet, she survives. In some eras, she even thrives. All of this seemingly in spite of her self-inflicted wounds. Could it be that we are seeing the first wave of a new thriving?

Reports are that there was an increase in adult baptisms in 2024, and a significant increase in some Catholic dioceses. Dioceses are reporting increases of 25%, 50%, even 75% of converts to the Church over the last year or previous two years. Many of those entering the Church are young men. I know that in our OCIA class this year we have 25 catechumens and candidates and, not counting the three children, at least nine of them are young men under the age of 35, and a few of them under the age of 30. Recently, I gave a presentation to the young adult group at my parish. Twenty-five young adults showed up at the parish on a Friday night to hear about “God’s Providence and Our Free Will.” Then to the Bearden Beermarket for beer and pizza afterwards. And it’s not just the Catholic Church. Non-Catholic churches are also reporting a surge in young adults joining. And it’s not just America. The UK and France are also experiencing a surge of younger people entering the Church.

What’s behind this surge of young adult converts? A number of factors, so social researchers say. First, there was the pandemic, which isolated people. Once we could again emerge from our cacoons of safety, many people desired the company of others in the form of sincere, genuine friendships. The Church has long been a place where people meet and form bonds. Next there is the meaninglessness, almost nihilism of secularism. Secularists, including new and old atheists, don’t offer much or anything in terms of meaning to one’s life, a larger purpose to everything. The Catholic Church has always been an institution whose primary mission is to preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ, which includes the promise of release from the chains of sin and the promise of an afterlife where we share in the very nature of God (2 Pt 1:4), which is love (1 Jn 4:8). Young people have been able to see beyond all of the misrepresentations of the Christian faith to the true heart of faith in Christ. Other factors for this apparent “surge” in young people returning or turning for the first time to the Church of the ages is the strong sense of tradition, meaningful rituals, and a strong moral code on which the Church does not compromise. Some dioceses have been more intentional in their efforts at evangelization, and the National Eucharistic Revival proved a profound, efficacious, and conscious effort by the U. S. Bishops to reach out to lapsed Catholics and non-Catholics with the joy and mystery of Christ’s Real Presence in the Eucharist. All of this has sparked interest in Catholicism, and that interest sometimes grows into faith.

Now, what is the Church going to do about it? That is the challenge. How do we keep this new surge going? How do we shape it so that it makes the Church inviting to young women, and to the older generation of Catholics whose attendance at Mass is in decline?

My two cents? Increase outreach and ministries to families. Parishes need to think outside the box and create opportunities for families to be active in the parish outside of Sunday Mass. For instance, my parish has First Friday Adoration on the first friday of every month where families are invited to come to the parish together for adoration of the Blessed Sacrament. Songs are sung that are child friendly and there’s the occasional reflection shared by a parish staff member that is directed toward family faith. We also have a parish picnic each year that families are encouraged to attend and where music, games, and food celebrate our life as a parish family. Families are where people live, grow, laugh, cry, and learn to love. It only makes sense that making church life accessible to families is going to inspire more people to consider the Church. That consideration may grow into interest. And that interest may grow into faith.