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Posted on 04/01/2026 10:30:53 AM PDT by Pontiac
Something extraordinary happened in France in the year 2025: more than 10,300 adults were baptized into the Catholic Church — the highest number recorded in the past 20 years.
This unprecedented surge is even more striking because of the demographic of the new converts: mostly Gen Z adults between 18 and 25 who did not grow up in practicing families.
According to the French Institute of Public Opinion, more than 50% of the population in France identifies as atheist.
MSGR. GUILLAUME DERVILLE
Director of the Fontblin Priestly Center, France These are genuine conversions, not something superficial. And I ask myself: where does this come from? Why so many? Are we doing things better? The only explanation I can find fits in two words: the Holy Spirit.
Now, the Church in France faces a double challenge: one the one hand, integrating catechumens into already existing communities; and on the other, ensuring their faith takes root and does not fade after the initial enthusiasm. For now, this is how they are trying to achieve both goals.
MSGR. GUILLAUME DERVILLE
Director of the Fontblin Priestly Center, France In Paris in particular, there is personal follow-up.
And then group formation, so that they get to know one another, help one another, and grow together.
Fr. Derville explains that bringing people closer to the faith and building community is difficult in a country like France.
We face the challenge of individualism, which is like a sickness in relationships.
And I think, ultimately, that in a society where God does not exist, where God is not spoken about, where that possibility is not even considered…paradoxically, God comes in through the window, so to speak, and surprises us.
The bishops of France have launched a nationwide pastoral initiative that will last an entire year—the purpose? To study in depth the reasons behind these conversions and to accompany converts undergoing profound spiritual development.
MSGR. GUILLAUME DERVILLE
Director of the Fontblin Priestly Center How can we ensure that these people truly grow throughout their lives and that it’s not like a ‘firework’ that quickly burns out?
The Catholic youth of France have played a key role in this conversion surge—both online and in-person—and have contributed to the trend toward more expressive, communal, and renewed forms of faith.
MSGR. GUILLAUME DERVILLE
Director of the Fontblin Priestly Center Now it’s almost, I would say, ‘trendy’: many young people go to Montmartre and to churches to spend the night adoring the Blessed Sacrament.
The new challenges are immense, but at the same time a great joy, says Fr. Derville—one that opens the door to a new horizon and possibly a new era for the Catholic Church in France.
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Also reported here
https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2025/apr/14/france-sees-record-surge-conversions-catholicism/
I also heard elsewhere that a record number of adults are to be baptized in France this Easter. But I have not been able to find a news article to reference.
Good News ping
I suspect it’s too late for Frankistan.
Visited Alsace and Strasbourg, France a few months ago.
One evening, in front of their famous Cathédrale Notre-Dame-de-Strasbourg, I didn’t see any Muslims, but I did see a group of about 20 young people, praying the rosary.
It was lovely to behold.
It is of course good, but existing members are dying off much faster.
Also good, evangelical churches are spreading steadily and doing the work of evangelization.
Young converts to Catholicism tend to embrace Traditionalism (or at least conservative Catholicism) and those tend to have a lot of children. A population reversal may be in the works. The Holy Spirit works in unexpected ways.
Our novus ordo Catholic Church is bringing 20 new converts into the fold this Easter. Above average number. The trad cat Church I’m involved in has seen the numbers rise too, especially in young people.
We all need to be praying Rosaries of Reparation.
I fear this may be the beginning of a correction of Christendom.
God sews the seeds of recovery before he sends his judgment.
Congratualtions on the success of your Parishes.
I envy you that you have access to a traditional Catholic parish.
The nearest to me is more than an hour drive.
Too far given my circumstances.
There are parishioners who drive that and more. It’s only 35mins for us.
Self-replacement though, even accounting for that needs to be about 10 times that.
That’s a rate of 206,000 over 20 years.
When you work 13 hours shifts on Sundays, it doesn’t leave much time for long trips.
Ooo, no it doesn’t.
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