France sees record surge in youth-led baptisms this Easter

Apr 25, 2025

PARIS: In an unexpected development, France saw a record wave of adult baptisms this Easter, with over 17,800 catechumens — 10,384 adults and more than 7,400 adolescents — baptised during the Easter Vigil on April 19, according to the French Bishops’ Conference.

For the first time, young adults (18–25) make up the largest group of adult converts, surpassing the 26–40 age group. Around 42 per cent are students or young professionals, indicating a generational shift and a deepening spiritual hunger among youth in secular France.

“This is not a passing wave,” said Archbishop Olivier de Germay of Lyon, urging parishes to treat baptism not as an end but the beginning of discipleship. He emphasised the Church’s role in welcoming and guiding new Christians.

Despite secularism’s dominance in public discourse, the Church notes a spiritual countercurrent, especially among the young. Urban parishes report booming attendance — St Maurice in Lille had nearly 1,000 people on Ash Wednesday, many of them first-time young attendees.

Adolescent baptisms are also rising sharply, with a 33 per cent increase over last year. The Jubilee of Young People in Rome is seen as a key opportunity for these new believers to connect globally.

Adult baptisms in France have grown 160 per cent in a decade, from under 4,000 in 2015 to over 10,000 in 2025. Cécile Eon, national delegate for adult catechumenate, called it “impressive and sustained,” highlighting the pressure on diocesan teams to expand formation programmes.

The movement is diverse — some catechumens have Christian roots, others come from non-religious or alternative spiritual backgrounds like Buddhism or esotericism. A 2021 study found 17 per cent had prior spiritual experience outside Christianity.

Women make up 63 per cent of adult converts. After two years of rural growth, urban parishes are now seeing the fastest expansion.

Globally, France’s revival reflects wider trends. In the US, Christian identification is stabilising, with 62 per cent still identifying as Christian, according to Pew Research. While secularisation continues, grassroots, youth-driven, sacramental movements are reshaping the spiritual landscape.

As Archbishop de Germay noted, the varied paths to faith show the personal work of God in each journey. “If the Church is listening,” he said, “this Easter could mark a resurrection of hope where faith had long seemed dormant.”-- Zenit