Free Republic
Browse · Search
Religion
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

New Yorkers turning to the church, number of Catholic converts soaring, according to priests
NY post ^ | 16th November 2025 | Kirsten Fleming

Posted on 11/16/2025 7:47:08 PM PST by Cronos

, at a recent, very crowded Sunday night mass at St. Joseph’s Church in Greenwich Village, Father Jonah Teller, OP made a simple announcement indicating that times are changing.

According to Teller, the number enrolled in the parish’s Order of Christian Initiation of Adults — the process in which adults convert to Catholicism — had tripled since last year, with roughly 130 people signing up. ... There’s a similar story at St. Vincent Ferrer on the Upper East Side, where their OCIA numbers have doubled since last year, swelling to nearly 90 people.

“We’re out of space and exploring adding more masses,”

Since activist Charlie Kirk was assassinated in September, there’s been reports that mass attendance is way up. And over the last year, Catholic churches across the country have cited more conversions among young people.

But such a large number of people seeking faith in uber secular New York City is remarkable

the crop of converts — most of whom have no experience with formal faith, cited a variety of cultural forces pushing them toward the church.

Some are looking for balance and meaning in a chaotic, polarized world where politics has become a stand in for real faith. In fact, a few cited Kirk’s murder. Many are high achievers unfulfilled by success.

“Materially, we have everything at our fingertips, and it’s not reaching our hearts,” said Teller, a charismatic teacher who is often cited by OCIA students as a draw.

Why Catholicism? “It’s the original religion of Christianity, and I wanted to get to the root of it rather than branches.”

Burns hopes that his relationship with God will help him build a traditional, family oriented life. “I want to meet someone, who has similar values and have children.”

(Excerpt) Read more at nypost.com ...


TOPICS: Catholic; Current Events; General Discusssion
KEYWORDS: christianity; church
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first 1-2021-33 next last

1 posted on 11/16/2025 7:47:08 PM PST by Cronos
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | View Replies]

To: Cronos

Good news


2 posted on 11/16/2025 7:48:11 PM PST by stanne
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Cronos

Love going to mass when visiting NYC...That’s so encouraging.


3 posted on 11/16/2025 7:48:35 PM PST by CondoleezzaProtege
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: ebb tide

Ping :)!


4 posted on 11/16/2025 7:49:41 PM PST by CondoleezzaProtege
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: fidelis

Meant to ping you too.


5 posted on 11/16/2025 7:50:00 PM PST by CondoleezzaProtege
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Cronos

The Islam-o-nuts love their soft targets, churches being one of them. Good luck, New York Catholics.


6 posted on 11/16/2025 8:00:02 PM PST by CatOwner (Don't expect anyone, even conservatives, to have your back when the SHTF in 2021 and beyond.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: CondoleezzaProtege

Thanks!


7 posted on 11/16/2025 8:10:51 PM PST by fidelis (Ecce Crucem Domini! Fugite partes adversae! Vicit Leo de tribu Juda, Radix David! Alleluia!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 5 | View Replies]

To: CondoleezzaProtege
That’s so encouraging.

It certainly is. The parish we attended this morning here in Arizona is bursting at the seams, standing room only--lots of young people and families. Good preaching and lots of Latin prayers, and women and girls wearing veils. They are getting ready to build a larger church building. Does my heart good to see it.

8 posted on 11/16/2025 8:16:46 PM PST by fidelis (Ecce Crucem Domini! Fugite partes adversae! Vicit Leo de tribu Juda, Radix David! Alleluia!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 3 | View Replies]

To: stanne

Quite.


9 posted on 11/16/2025 8:26:24 PM PST by No name given ( Anonymous is who you’ll know me as )
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]

To: fidelis

Yay. Good nes


10 posted on 11/16/2025 8:28:22 PM PST by stanne
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 8 | View Replies]

To: CondoleezzaProtege

“ Love going to mass when visiting NYC”

The most beautiful churches built by the parishioners and contractors. Before the governement was into every such thing


11 posted on 11/16/2025 8:30:03 PM PST by stanne
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 3 | View Replies]

To: Cronos

the pendulum always swings back

12 posted on 11/16/2025 8:32:13 PM PST by MinorityRepublican
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Cronos

Terrific. Even more people being taught the Bible wrong.


13 posted on 11/16/2025 8:33:41 PM PST by roving
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: stanne
The most beautiful churches

Yes! Beautiful churches and of course always nice to light a candle in the flagship, St. Patrick's Cathedral.

And I love how the city in general observes Christmas even on a secular level. So the two, church and city, put together is lovely.

14 posted on 11/16/2025 8:51:45 PM PST by CondoleezzaProtege
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 11 | View Replies]

To: roving

I was taught the Bible by Catholics. What exactly do I get wrong?


15 posted on 11/16/2025 9:00:11 PM PST by stanne
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 13 | View Replies]

To: stanne; roving

He just means that no 9ne is following his cult-of-one


16 posted on 11/16/2025 9:13:11 PM PST by Cronos
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 15 | View Replies]

To: roving
Terrific. Even more people being taught the Bible wrong.

So says your insignificant church of one.

17 posted on 11/16/2025 9:25:34 PM PST by fidelis (Ecce Crucem Domini! Fugite partes adversae! Vicit Leo de tribu Juda, Radix David! Alleluia!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 13 | View Replies]

To: Cronos

“ He just means that no 9ne is following his cult-of-one”

Yes. He might be trying to find the right words to spin that

One thing I learned from all of them including the Dominican nuns was respect other people’s religions. They practice them for reasons that are none of your business. We do what we do and God wants us where we are that’s our only concern

Anyone can look at my extensive post history and see that’s what I practice

This is such good news for New York City right now after the election last week. I am a 4th gen New Yorker. My ancestors lived in NYC and helped build it after the discovery of the ability to put up sky scrapers

When you see the materials used and the permanence planned. The artistry of the ornamental plastering and the stained glass windows in the Churches

This headline was so great to read

Then the anti Catholic sentiment comes in. I know where that comes from. I’m Irish not for nothing. We know the enemy. Nothing surprises and it’s always there.

But …can they give it a rest.


18 posted on 11/16/2025 9:25:54 PM PST by stanne
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 16 | View Replies]

To: stanne

I think as the world gets anti Christian, we will end up with a stronger church, a stronger community of the faithful deep in Christ and fueled by His grace through the sacraments


19 posted on 11/16/2025 9:39:30 PM PST by Cronos
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 18 | View Replies]

To: Cronos

People I know have been saying that for a while. It’s apparent in this case. People who sign up for RCIA/OCIA are committed, it’s not a flighty thing to do


20 posted on 11/16/2025 9:48:23 PM PST by stanne
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 19 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first 1-2021-33 next last

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
Religion
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson