- Feb 5, 2002
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(OSV News) — At the April 19 Easter Vigilat parishes across America, the church will welcome many new Catholics.
Perhaps that doesn’t sound extraordinary. After all, it happens every year.
True enough — but in 2025, there is a seemingly significant trend: Several dioceses, compared to the previous year, are reporting increased numbers of people who will either be baptized, confirmed and receive first Communion (catechumens), or who have already been baptized in another Christian tradition, and will be confirmed and receive their first Communion (candidates).
Is there an explanation — such as a post-COVID sacramental boom? Effects of the National Eucharistic Revival? Individuals seeking community or authenticity? Or maybe all of these?
“It’s a good question — and we’re not entirely sure,” Patrick Krisak, director of faith formation and missionary discipleship in the Archdiocese of Boston, told OSV News. “There’s really not any one factor that you can sort of pin it down to at this moment.”
This year, the Archdiocese of Boston has 458 catechumens, up from 360 in 2024.
And while Krisak can’t attribute that increase to any precise reason, he does have some ideas.
Continued below.
www.oursundayvisitor.com
Perhaps that doesn’t sound extraordinary. After all, it happens every year.
True enough — but in 2025, there is a seemingly significant trend: Several dioceses, compared to the previous year, are reporting increased numbers of people who will either be baptized, confirmed and receive first Communion (catechumens), or who have already been baptized in another Christian tradition, and will be confirmed and receive their first Communion (candidates).
Is there an explanation — such as a post-COVID sacramental boom? Effects of the National Eucharistic Revival? Individuals seeking community or authenticity? Or maybe all of these?
“It’s a good question — and we’re not entirely sure,” Patrick Krisak, director of faith formation and missionary discipleship in the Archdiocese of Boston, told OSV News. “There’s really not any one factor that you can sort of pin it down to at this moment.”
This year, the Archdiocese of Boston has 458 catechumens, up from 360 in 2024.
And while Krisak can’t attribute that increase to any precise reason, he does have some ideas.
A ‘cultural shift’
Continued below.
'Waking up to God': Desire for community, renewed faith interest may explain U.S. boost in numbers of new Catholics
This Easter, U.S. parishes welcome a surge of new Catholics, a sign of growing faith, post-COVID renewal, and a hunger for truth.
www.oursundayvisitor.com
