Overview

• More than 17,000 adults and adolescents are set to be baptized during France's Easter Vigil, marking a significant moment for the Catholic Church in 2025.
• Many baptism candidates are descendants of families with lapsed Catholic traditions, while others come from non-Christian backgrounds, including Muslim origins.
• The rise in baptisms aligns with increased Sunday church attendance during Lent, particularly among young people seeking spiritual connection.
• Sociologists attribute this trend to a generational quest for identity in an individualistic and fragmented world, with religion providing a sense of belonging.
• Personal relationships, including friends, colleagues, and priests, have played a pivotal role in inspiring candidates through the example of living faith.