Catholic Churches See Surge in New Members for Easter

Hinsdale parish reports over 124% increase in new members compared to last year

Apr. 2, 2026 at 3:28am

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St. Isaac Jogues Catholic Parish in Hinsdale, Illinois is preparing to welcome 47 new members into the church this Easter, a dramatic increase from the 21 welcomed last year. The Archdiocese of Chicago is also reporting a 38% increase in Baptisms, Confirmations, and First Communions, as well as a 78% increase in people joining the Catholic Church from other Christian traditions, totaling over 1,000 new Chicago Catholics - an increase of more than 50%.

Why it matters

The surge in new Catholic church members, especially among younger generations, could signal a renewed interest in faith and spirituality. It also raises questions about what is driving this increase and whether it could inspire more people to consider the priesthood.

The details

St. Isaac Jogues Church in Hinsdale is reporting a more than 124% increase in new members from 2025. The church is preparing to receive 47 people into the church, compared to 21 last year. Across the Archdiocese of Chicago, 614 people will receive Baptism, Confirmation, and First Communion during Easter Vigil Mass, up 38% from last year. An additional 455 people are joining the Catholic Church from other Christian traditions, up 78%. The average age of those being received into the Church is just 28 years old.

  • St. Isaac Jogues Church is preparing to welcome new members this Easter.
  • The Archdiocese of Chicago is reporting a 38% increase in Baptisms, Confirmations, and First Communions this Easter compared to last year.
  • The Archdiocese is also reporting a 78% increase in people joining the Catholic Church from other Christian traditions this Easter compared to last year.

The players

St. Isaac Jogues Catholic Parish

A Catholic church located in Hinsdale, Illinois that is experiencing a surge in new members this Easter.

Archdiocese of Chicago

The Catholic diocese that oversees churches in the Chicago area, reporting significant increases in new members this Easter.

Jaden Ternand

A 16-year-old who is joining the Catholic Church, citing a search for truth as his motivation.

Christina Mehta

A convert to Catholicism from another Christian denomination, seeking a deeper connection to God.

Father Burke Masters

The pastor at St. Isaac Jogues Church who is overseeing the influx of new members and believes it could inspire more people to consider the priesthood.

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What they’re saying

“I was more committed to finding the truth. And I heard, you know, to seek truth is to seek love and to seek love is to seek God. Right? And that's what it was.”

— Jaden Ternand, 16-year-old convert

“I think that everyone is feeling more connected by their phones maybe and a little bit less connected to each other. And they're looking to God to fill that void.”

— Christina Mehta, Convert from another Christian denomination

“As a pastor, it's incredible. You know, it's something that you hope for.”

— Father Burke Masters, Pastor, St. Isaac Jogues Church

“I was looking for something that was stable, something that was a solid truth that I could kind of hang my hat on and I wanted to become a better person.”

— Father Burke Masters, Pastor, St. Isaac Jogues Church

What’s next

The Archdiocese of Chicago will be closely monitoring the influx of new members and analyzing what factors are driving the surge, in order to better understand and support this renewed interest in the Catholic faith.

The takeaway

The significant increase in new Catholic church members, especially among younger generations, suggests a growing desire for spiritual connection and stability in an increasingly digital and disconnected world. This could signal a broader cultural shift that churches will need to thoughtfully navigate in the years ahead.