Catechumen roundup: Thousands baptized worldwide on Easter

[Michie]

Dioceses around the world reported enormous classes of catechumens entering the Church in 2024.

The Catholic Church grew by thousands during Easter 2024, with catechumen classes in the hundreds appearing around the world. This revitalized interest in the Church was seen at nearly the same levels in Western nations that afford a high level of religious freedom as it was in regions where Christian persecution has risen in recent years.

United States​

Several reports have emerged showing enormous groups of catechumens baptized at Easter Vigil liturgies. The Archdiocese of Baltimore reportedwelcoming 663 new Catholics into the Church, which represents an increase of about 50% from the 437 baptized in 2023. At the Vigil Mass, Archbishop William E. Lori commented:

“And let those of us who have been Catholic Christians our whole life long rejoice,” the Bishop said, “rejoice as new members are incorporated into the Body of Christ, rejoice as we are renewed in our own baptism, rejoice as we promise anew to life as children of the light, rejoice as we share the banquet of Christ’s sacrifice with the newly initiated.”

Meanwhile, on the West coast, the Archdiocese of Los Angeles saw a record number of catechumens enter the Church. According to Angelus News, the class broke the record at 2,075, a 38% increase from the previous high of 1,508, in 2016. Additionally, there were 1,521 candidates (or those who are baptized, but still in faith formation), a group that grew by 20% since 2016. The record number of candidates within the Archdiocese of Los Angeles was 1,719, in 2023.

France​

Continued below.

Catechumen roundup: Thousands baptized worldwide on Easter

While reports abound of a decline in faith practice, dioceses around the world reported enormous classes of catechumens entering the Church in 2024.

aleteia.org