The figures behind the trend
Interest in the Catholic faith among adults and teenagers in France has been growing for years, and the number of baptisms administered on Easter night has been a significant indicator for several years now. In 2021, for example, there were 4,895 adult baptisms; but this means, even more so, that, in five years, adult baptisms have increased more than fivefold.
Meanwhile, the teenage demographic is also growing rapidly. In 2017, only 1,385 teenagers had requested baptism. This year, however, that number has soared to 8,152. And, in fact, older generations account for a very small fraction of the total: only 1% of adult baptisms involve people over the age of 65. Conversely, the so-called millennials and Generation Z dominate the statistics: the vast majority (82%) of adults receiving baptism are aged between 18 and 40 – with the 18–25 age group being the most prominent, closely followed by the 26–40 age group. In terms of gender, however, women constitute the largest group, accounting for around 62% of the total.
The phenomenon is so interesting that the Archdiocese of Paris has convened a local council, which will last a year, to discuss and explore it in depth. At the same time, the French Bishops’ Conference has also conducted a wide-ranging survey on the subject (1,450 catechumens interviewed, from 60 different dioceses), which revealed that 40% of them had begun their journey towards baptism “following a difficulty”, thus seeking deeper meaning for their lives; and almost a third of those interviewed (32%) stated that they had experienced a powerful spiritual experience, which led them to seek Baptism.
Testimonies from young people in Salesian circles
Violette, a 24-year-old student from Lille, was baptised at Easter 2024 and received Confirmation this year: “Although finding my place in the Church seemed at first a difficult task, I was fortunate enough to form some wonderful friendships by putting myself at the service of the community. The first step, which you take on your own, is therefore the most difficult. But I encourage young people to take the initiative and be bold: dare to offer your help to the sacristan or the priest in your parish; dare to reach out to other young people, to prayer groups, to choirs, to a group of musicians to lead the Mass…
And if it is true that a Christian alone is a Christian in danger, friendships forged in the love of Christ are a precious help in staying the course during difficult times. And above all, they set things in motion! Today I have the joy of having as my Confirmation godmother a student who accompanied me during my catechumenate: first sisters in faith, then friends, soon we will set off on a pilgrimage along the roads of Italy”.
Alexandre is 36 years old and works as a teacher at the Don Bosco Landser school in Alsace. “Shortly after completing my marriage preparation with Father Pascal, a Salesian in Landser, I began to feel a sort of inner calling, as if a part of me needed to go further along this path, and that is when I began to feel the faith. For me, Baptism represented not the end of my journey, but a stage to go even further, to feel even more guided, both by Christ, of course, but also by the community that surrounded me during my preparation for Baptism and then in daily life. Since then, I have continued on my journey of faith, but with the certainty that whilst this stretch may be difficult, I will never be alone and that from now on there will always be someone to help me.
Today, I experience my baptism as a source of strength, a point of reference that allows me to strengthen my bonds with my family, my friends and even at work. As for my family and friends, this has taught me to love without judging, to support without expecting anything in return. And at work, I am fortunate to work with young people, and being baptised gives me extra strength to open my heart to young people and their needs, without giving up. Indeed, I have discovered the strength that can be given to a person by believing in them!”
Ana Cláudia, a 23-year-old from Paris, finally recalls with joy having begun the catechumenate at the Salesian parish of St John Bosco in Paris on 12 October. “This stage follows my request for the three sacraments of Christian initiation: Baptism, Confirmation and Holy Communion. Born into a Catholic family, I have always wanted to be baptised. My mother’s wish for me to become my little brother’s godmother motivated me even more. God has always been present in my life; he has shown me his love through the people I have met and has supported me through trials.
The journey I have undertaken has enabled me to better understand the message of the Gospel and the role of the Church, this body of which Christ is the head. I have been able to strengthen my faith during meetings with my spiritual guide and within the catechumenate group through prayer, sharing and moments of learning.
Above all, I have discovered that being a Christian means living in community and getting to know parishioners who are so different from one another, whose presence strengthens my faith. It comforts me in my sorrows and guides me towards the light of Christ. Every day I ask to be converted so that I may live as a child of God and be reborn in his love. Being baptised during the Easter Vigil of 2026 filled me with immense joy”.
Sources: ACI Stampa, Don Bosco Aujourd’hui
