Record Surge: Over 10,000 Adults Set to Be Baptized in France This Easter Amid Youth-Led Faith Revival | File Photo
Paris: In a dramatic reversal, French Catholic baptisms of adults doubled during the past two years and will hit a projected 10,384 on Easter evening this year, between April 19 and 20.
This upticked surge, as reported by the French Bishops’ Conference on April 10, follows 5,423 adult baptisms in 2023 and 7,135 adult baptisms in 2024. The surge is largely due to a boom in teenage baptisms, with a record 17,788 teens and adults asking to be baptized this year in the Catholic Church.
The poll is indicative of a huge demographic shift, with 18-25 year olds outnumbering 26-40 year olds. While the percentage of students is on the rise, working-class catechumens are still the majority.
Adults preparing to be baptized are referred to as “catechumens” by the Church and presented with a two-year intensive program of Christian formation classes and mentorship by experienced parishioners.
Approximately 11,000 Catholics, 80% of whom are laymen, take part in this mission. French actor Gad Elmaleh depicted this journey of conversion in his 2022 film “Reste un peu.”
The Covid pandemic and lockdowns have been cited by many pastors as an inspiration for increased introspection, as reflected in the increase in catechumens. Between 2015 and 2022, there were around 4,000 baptisms annually, with the increase beginning in 2023 due to the two-year preparation period. The second reason is that infant baptisms have fallen from one in every two babies in 2000 to one in three in 2024.
Though 52% of catechumens come from a Christian background, there are 4% converted Muslims among them. Father Jean-Baptiste Siboulet notices a frenzy around Lent, with young people asking questions about their faith on social media, wanting to “do Lent” by fasting, prayer, and attending Mass. This religious inquiry, maybe spurred on by Ramadan, is being taken as a serious spiritual experience.
During the Bishops’ summit, during a press conference, Christian life support head Catherine Chevalier emphasized the growing necessity for people to belong to a community.
Catherine Lemoine, pastoral care for young people, comments that young people feel comfortable speaking about their religion and showing religious symbols, especially on social media and they participate actively in their faith.
Significantly, this rise in catechumens is occurring at a time of renewed far-right political activity in France. There has been an increasing trend, revealed in recent elections, of practicing Catholics supporting the far right in increasing numbers, adding an additional layer to this new religious topography.
