Catholic Church Sees Massive Growth in New Members in 2026

Average Catholic diocese seeing increase of 38% in people entering the Church at Easter in 2026 compared to 2025, according to an analysis of data obtained exclusively by Hallow

CHICAGO, March 31, 2026 – The Catholic Church in the United States is seeing a significant increase in people entering the Church this Easter season.

Hallow, the #1 prayer app, today announced the release of new original data showing a significant rise in catechumens and candidates across the United States in 2026.

Based on data compiled exclusively by Hallow from more than 140 of the 175 U.S. dioceses (more than 80%), dioceses are experiencing a 38% annual increase on average in individuals entering the Church through the Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (OCIA). 

This includes both catechumens (unbaptized people preparing for full initiation into the Church) and candidates (those already baptized who are entering into full communion through confirmation).

The diocese-by-diocese numbers are available in the interactive map below:

The growth of people joining the Church is widespread and notable across dioceses of all sizes and regions. 

The four largest dioceses in the U.S. all saw significant growth:

• Archdiocese of Los Angeles: +139%
• Diocese of Phoenix: +23%
• Archdiocese of New York: +36%
• Archdiocese of Chicago: +52%

Others in different parts of the country reporting strong growth include:

• Diocese of Pensacola-Tallahassee (Fla.): +144%
• Diocese of Duluth (Minn.): +145%
• Diocese of Rapid City (S.D.): +96%
• Diocese of Honolulu (Hawaii): +37%
• Diocese of Fairbanks (Alaska): +40%

In the Diocese of Helena (Mont.), diocesan officials believe this year’s group, which is 60% larger than last year, is likely the largest that the diocese has had since the Rite of Election was restored following Vatican II in the 1970s.

Even in dioceses where year-over-year growth is modest or slightly down, the broader trend remains strong, especially when compared to pandemic-era lows in 2020 and 2021.

The Diocese of Shreveport (La.) is set to welcome 257 combined candidates and catechumens this year, down from 329 a year ago, but up considerably from 2021, when it welcomed a combined 89 people.

Many dioceses saw record-breaking classes in 2025 and continue to build on that momentum in 2026. In 2024, the Archdiocese of Mobile (Ala.) saw its largest group of candidates and catechumens in a decade. Last year, it surpassed that number. And this year, it’s up 36% compared to 2025.

The fastest-growing diocese was the Diocese of Duluth (Minn.), which grew +145%, with 186 combined catechumens and candidates in 2026 compared to just 76 a year ago. The Diocese of Pensacola-Tallahassee (Fla.) grew +144%. 

The Archdiocese of Los Angeles, which is welcoming more than 8,000 people into the Church, more than any other diocese in the country, grew +139% from last year.

Supporting the Church’s Growth

Hallow is committed to supporting the Church and its sacramental life.

For anyone enrolled in OCIA, Hallow offers complimentary subscriptions through their parish. If you’re interested in including your parish, find more information here.

Inside Hallow, candidates and catechumens will find a New to Catholicism Collection we’ve built for them which includes our series created specifically for those going through OCIA, as well as prayers, meditations, and guided sessions to help grow in faith and develop a practice of daily prayer.

Hallow also partners with dioceses, parishes, and schools across the country to build vibrant communities of prayer. Visit hallow.com/parishes or hallow.com/schools to learn more. 

Dioceses may submit or update their data by emailing diocesedata@hallow.app. 

About Hallow 

Hallow helps people deepen their relationship with God through audio-guided prayers, sleep meditations, Bible readings, meditations, and music. The app has more than 10,000 sessions including a daily Rosary, daily Gospel, daily Saint, novenas, examens, Fr. Mike Schmitz’s Bible in a Year, The Chosen’s Jonathan Roumie’s audio Bible, Bishop Barron’s Sunday Sermons, peaceful Christian music, Gregorian chant, and so much more. Launched in December 2018, Hallow is now the number one Catholic app in the world with more than 1 billion prayers completed across 150-plus countries and more than 30 million downloads.

Media Contact

press@hallow.app