Surge in Young Adults Converting to Catholicism Across US

Recent reports and surveys indicate a significant trend of young adults in the United States converting to Catholicism, especially in the aftermath of the pandemic. The National Catholic Register notes that certain dioceses have experienced increases in conversions as high as 70%, with the Fort Worth, Texas diocese seeing a 72% rise from 2023 to 2024. Many of these new converts are in their 20s and 30s, seeking authenticity, moral order, and a sense of grounded tradition that they find lacking in secular life or other religious traditions. Although global studies show that Christianity as a whole is experiencing high rates of people leaving the faith in Western countries, the Catholic Church in the U.S. stands out for attracting a growing number of young converts. This trend contrasts with broader patterns of declining religious affiliation, as these individuals are drawn by the rituals, history, and perceived stability of Catholicism. Priests and new converts alike describe this as a "busy, in a good way" period for the Catholic community, driven by a search for meaning and community.