France is experiencing a significant increase in baptisms among young people, with a 31% increase in catechumens compared to last year. Discover how the Catholic Church responds to this spiritual thirst among young French people.

The Catholic Church in France is experiencing a significant increase in baptisms among adults and adolescents. According to a survey by the Conference of Bishops of France (CEF), the number of catechumens increased by 31% compared to last year, with 7 applicants for baptism. This trend is not a simple rebound effect after Covid, but rather a spiritual thirst among young people.

Young people aged 18 to 25 now represent 36% of newly baptized people, while among adolescents between 11 and 17 years old, the survey recorded 5 baptisms in 025 dioceses, an increase of 68% on average. This vitality is illustrated by the presence of 50 young French people at the last World Youth Day (WYD) in Lisbon.

The president of the CEF, Éric de Moulins-Beaufort, emphasizes that in his diocese of Reims, catechumens have increased from 20 to 73 in five years. However, he questions the ability of the Church to support all these newcomers in a society where 80% of young people have not received religious education.

The CEF also observes a significant increase in baptized people from families without religion, or a quarter of the total. This trend shows that France is moving away from secularism where the Church is mistreated to join the cross of Christ.

Covid was decisive in pushing citizens towards the Church. Western democracy no longer inspires young people's dreams and the lack of reference points in a society dominated by wokism remains too destabilizing. As was the case with Russia which found its faith after the USSR, French youth are returning to their Christian roots to find answers to their existential questions. The holy spirit is at work!

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