A Home for the Searching: More Are Finding Their Way to the Church

.

Ten years ago, I stood at the Easter Vigil, heart pounding, eyes filled with tears, as I was received into the Catholic Church through OCIA. I still remember the flicker of candlelight, the scent of incense, and the overwhelming sense that I had finally come home. That journey changed everything—my faith, my marriage, my purpose. And now, a decade later, I see that same hunger and hope in the faces of thousands of others who are entering the Church today.

In an age where so much feels uncertain, the steady beauty of the Catholic faith is drawing people in. According to the Center for Applied Research in the Apostolate (CARA), more than 30,000 adults were baptized or received into full communion with the Church in 2023 in the U.S. alone, with many dioceses reporting increases in RCIA enrollment compared to years past. And 2025 is continuing that upward trend.

So what’s behind this growing return to faith?

The Hunger for Something Real

Many are searching for something that feels permanent in a world that moves at a dizzying pace. The Catholic Church offers something ancient and enduring — a connection to history, tradition, and truth that transcends trends and politics. People aren’t looking for catchy slogans or surface-level spirituality; they want substance. They want the Eucharist. They want prayer that’s stood the test of time. They want the mystery and majesty of something bigger than themselves.

I know, because that was me. I came to the Church with questions, with longing, with a desire to live a life grounded in something holy. What I found was not perfection, but presence. I found Jesus — alive in the sacraments, in Scripture, in the community of believers. And I found a family that walks together through every joy and sorrow.

A Place to Belong

The desire for community is just as strong as the desire for truth. After the isolation of recent years, many are rediscovering how deeply we’re wired for connection — not just social interaction, but spiritual belonging. The parish community, when it’s at its best, is a beautiful expression of the Body of Christ. I see that at my home parish of Mary Queen Catholic Church. From the OCIA team that walked with me through formation, to the ministries I now serve in, to the countless friendships rooted in faith—it’s been a gift I never expected.

People want to be seen. They want to be known. And in the Church, when we live it well, they find that.

The Journey Is Just Beginning

Whether you’ve been Catholic your whole life or just beginning to ask questions, this is a moment of hope. The Holy Spirit is moving. God is calling hearts back to Him. And if you are one of those who has recently entered the Church — or is thinking about it — know this: your questions are welcome here. Your journey matters. And you don’t have to walk it alone.

The Church is far from perfect, but it is holy. It is human and divine, broken and beautiful. And in it, you will find Christ — sometimes in grand liturgies, sometimes in whispered prayers, always in love.

A Final Word

Ten years ago, I said yes to God in a way that changed everything. I’m still saying yes — through the joys, the struggles, and all the ordinary moments in between. And as I look at this growing movement of new Catholics, I am filled with gratitude and renewed faith. God is doing something powerful in our time.

If you’re searching… come and see. There’s a place for you here.