A growing number of young Catholics are leveraging social media to share their faith, attracting hundreds of thousands of followers and sparking a renewed interest in Catholicism, particularly as Easter approaches.

A New Generation of Virtual Evangelists

These content creators are engaging with their audience in innovative ways, from answering common questions about the faith (like “How many times do Catholics have to kneel during Mass?”) to offering insightful interpretations of religious texts. Their mission is to bring the Church into the 21st century while often encouraging a return to traditional values.

Influencers Leading the Charge

Anthony Gross, 22, with 125,000 Instagram followers, balances fitness content with posts about his Catholic faith. Kate DePetro collaborates with Gross, and both connect with figures like Father Jonah Teller. John French, 22, boasts 180,000 Instagram followers and holds a BA in theology from the University of Notre Dame Australia.

Gross observed a growing desire for something more meaningful among his peers, stating, “A couple of years ago, faith had a more negative connotation… But the pendulum has swung, and now people are turning back.” He believes social media provides “social proof” that returning to faith is “acceptable.”

Building Community Beyond the Screen

Gross and DePetro have extended their online connection into real-world events. After a casual pre-Mass pizza meetup, DePetro suggested a regular “pizza social” before services at St. Joseph’s in Greenwich Village. Nearly 100 young adults aged 22-30 attended the first event.

“I think Gen Z feels really lost, and some of that is a lack of purpose and direction,” Gross explained. “The best antidotes to finding those are number one, God, and number two, connection.”

A Surge in New Converts

This trend aligns with a recent report indicating a rise in new converts to Catholicism, with many expected to be received during the Easter Vigil Mass on April 5th. Archbishop Mitchell Thomas Rozanski of St. Louis, Mo., noted, “In our age of uncertainty, and in our age of great anxiety, is a thirst and hunger for God and stability that faith brings to people’s lives.”

French believes the Church offers “an anchor” in a time of uncertainty, providing values and hope to young people. He approaches content creation with humor, drawing inspiration from J.R.R. Tolkien, aiming to entertain while subtly conveying faith.

Concerns and Considerations

Dr. Michael E. Heyes, chair of the religion department at Lycoming College, expressed concern that religious influencers might inadvertently create feelings of inadequacy or division. He cautioned against curated spirituality and the potential for controversy.

Fostering Inclusive Communities

Eliza Monts, a Catholic influencer and Substack author with 82.6K Instagram followers, focuses on building an inclusive faith-based community. She emphasizes sharing her personal experiences and passions as a Catholic.