In a surprising twist of societal trends, a rising number of young adults, particularly those in their late teens and early twenties, are gravitating towards the Catholic Church.
This trend is a stark contrast to the declining religious affiliation that has characterized the Gen Z and Millennial generations. According to Cardinal Dolan, who recently authored an op-ed for the New York Post, these young people are seeking a sense of purpose in a world that seems increasingly chaotic.
As reported by The Post Millennial, Cardinal Dolan, the Archbishop of New York, shared insights from his interactions with priests from around the world during the election of Pope Francis XIV in Rome.
This event followed the passing of Pope Francis earlier this year. Dolan noted that these priests reported a consistent trend, not just at the Vatican but also in their local parishes: a surge in the number of young Catholics.
During a casual conversation, one cardinal asked Dolan, "Have you noticed all the young people from around the world who are here in Rome?" Another cardinal shared his experience of interacting with a group of teenage pilgrims in Saint Peter's Square, who were visiting for the Jubilee Year of Hope.
A third cardinal mentioned a group of students from a university back home who were visiting Rome and had invited him to say Mass for them.
This anecdotal evidence is supported by recent data showing a significant increase in baptisms among young adults in the Catholic Church, not just in the United States, but globally. Dioceses across the nation, including those in Fort Worth, Texas, and Lansing, Michigan, have reported a "sacred surge," with spikes in conversions and baptisms ranging from 30 to 70 percent.
Internationally, similar trends are being observed. Austria, for instance, has seen an 85 percent increase in adult baptisms, with countries like Canada, Belgium, and Sweden also reporting increases, according to Word on Fire.
Father Will Straten, a priest at St. Mary's Catholic Center at Texas A&M, where 20 students were baptized this year, the highest number in over a decade, told the National Catholic Register that young people are seeking authenticity and meaning. "The students who aren't Catholic are hungry and are looking for something. People are just looking for something that's authentic and real. They're looking for something that's grounded and seems to make sense," he said.
A priest in Manhattan, New York City, confirmed to the New York Post that at least three-quarters of his new converts are in their early 20s and 30s. He noted that the growth in his parish began after the pandemic.
"Some were Protestants, some were nonreligious, some were Catholics who never practiced the faith. Both men and women," said Father Raymond Maria La Grange of St. Vincent Ferrer. "Some well-off, others living day to day. Some intellectuals, some mystics. Some got to know Catholics who brought them in, others came in on their own and hardly know any Catholics."
La Grange added, "It's a fun time to be a priest. It's busy, in a good way." He believes that young adults are drawn to the Roman Catholic Church because "they realize the world cannot provide them with any moral order, or reasons for living in any particular way. A culture of license has left them unmoored."
This trend of young adults seeking solace and guidance in the Catholic Church is a testament to their quest for a moral compass in a world that often seems devoid of one.
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