At the April 19 Easter Vigil at parishes across America, the church will welcome many new Catholics. Perhaps that doesn’t sound extraordinary. After all, it happens every year. True enough — but in 2025, there is a seemingly significant trend: Several dioceses, compared to the previous year, are reporting increased numbers of people who will either be baptized, confirmed and receive first Communion (catechumens), or who have already been baptized in another Christian tradition, and will be confirmed and receive their first Communion (candidates).
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At the April 19 Easter Vigil at parishes across America, the church will welcome many new Catholics. Perhaps that doesn’t sound extraordinary. After all, it happens every year. True enough — but in 2025, there is a seemingly significant trend: Several dioceses, compared to the previous year, are reporting increased numbers of people who will either be baptized, confirmed and receive first Communion (catechumens), or who have already been baptized in another Christian tradition, and will be confirmed and receive their first Communion (candidates).
