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A notable increase in individuals converting to the Roman Catholic Church has emerged, especially among young adults eager for a sense of moral direction after the tumultuous years of the pandemic.
While conversions can occur at any time, many opt to make this significant change during the Easter season. Reports from the National Catholic Register indicate that certain dioceses are witnessing staggering increases in converts, ranging from 30% to over 70% this year. For instance, Fort Worth, Texas, has experienced a remarkable rise from 896 converts during Easter 2023 to 1,544 in 2024—a surge of 72%.
Father Will Straten, leading St. Mary’s Catholic Center at Texas A&M, expressed his observations in a conversation with the National Catholic Register, highlighting a strong desire among newcomers for genuine experiences.
“Students who are not Catholic are craving something. They are looking for authenticity and a foundation that resonates with their quest for meaning,” he noted.
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A moment of prayer occurs at St. Brendan Catholic Church’s Adoration Chapel in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
Discussions with various religious leaders, including Father Raymond Maria La Grange from St. Vincent Ferrer in Manhattan, reveal that a significant portion of recent converts are in their twenties and early thirties. La Grange noted that his parish began to see growth particularly after the pandemic, stating, “Some were Protestants, some identified as nonreligious, and others were Catholics who had drifted away from practice.”
He added that congregants come from diverse backgrounds, ranging from affluent to those living paycheck to paycheck, and include both men and women with varying degrees of familiarity with Catholicism. “It’s an energizing time to be a priest, with plenty of activity,” he remarked.
La Grange emphasized that many young adults are drawn to the Church as they recognize a lack of moral structure in the world, noting, “The prevailing culture has left them feeling untethered.”
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Among the new converts is Sydney Johnston, a young woman from Manhattan. She shared her journey from a nondenominational Christian upbringing to a deeper exploration of faith during her college years impacted by the pandemic. After engaging with various Christian denominations, she felt a profound connection to the Catholic Mass.
“I examined the spiritual and aesthetic elements of each service, and ultimately, I felt the strongest attraction to the Catholic rituals,” she explained. “The beauty and depth of the Catholic traditions resonate with me more than what I experienced elsewhere.”
Johnston cited the Church’s rich historical roots as a significant factor in her conversion, stating, “The rituals and ancient traditions within Catholicism portray a level of reverence I didn’t find in more liberal congregations.”
In another example, 27-year-old Taylor New from Cincinnati recounted how exposure to a YouTube video on Catholic history dramatically shifted her perspective on faith. Describing it as an enlightening experience that led her to reassess her evangelical beliefs, she remarked, “There is a vast amount of information available online, and many young people are on a quest for truth, which naturally draws them toward Catholicism.”
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Adrian Lawson, a 30-year-old software developer in Southern California, offers another perspective. Having grown up in a nondenominational environment and later identifying as an atheist, Lawson found his way to Catholicism after observing a debate on YouTube between a Protestant and a Catholic, which ultimately led to the Protestant’s conversion.
Despite facing considerable resistance from his family, Lawson began attending Catholic Mass and completed his conversion after a year. He shared, “Since I started praying the rosary regularly, I’ve experienced a significant reduction in anxiety and panic attacks.”
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