ORLANDO | The diocese made history March 9, 2025, as more than 800 people were chosen as “Elect”.

The Basilica of the National Shrine of Mary, Queen of the Universe could not hold all the families and sponsors at once so two celebrations of the rite took place.

Excited about the increase Bishop John Noonan said, “When you have people coming into the Church, wanting Christ in their life and to serve, that is the most joyful celebration we can have.”

And thankfully the surge is not an anomaly. According to Nick Wagner, cofounder of Team Initiation, a group that develops resources to support OCIA leaders and ministers in care of the catechumenate, France and Belgium are reporting a 31%-50% increase as well. In 2024, Angelus reported a 38% increase in those enrolled in OCIA since 2016 in the Archdiocese of Los Angeles and other dioceses are reporting similar figures. Based on interviews, Wagner attributes the growth to a search for meaning, post pandemic catch up, the desire for community and connection, and social media.

“It’s a great problem to have,” said Isabel Fernandez, diocesan director of Laity, Family, and Life. Her office records the reception of Sacraments and offers guidance and training to ministers leading to preparation. Records show an increase of almost 200 people, with 51% of the parishes in the diocese reporting growth.

Fernandez attributes some of the growth to the spiritual impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Not only are families catching their children up on their Sacraments, but in the face of confronting one’s own mortality, people are re-evaluating priorities.

Father Angel García, parochial vicar at Holy Cross Parish in Orlando is overjoyed. He added his hope is that all of these catechumens become saints.

“(During the Rite of Election), Bishop (Noonan) calls forward each of the catechumens and they’re elected and their names are inscribed in the Book of the Elect,” Father García said. “It is a book in which we all want our names at the end of our lives.”

María Falcón, catechetical director at Holy Redeemer Parish in Kissimmee, ministers to 43 children and adults who became elect.

“It’s been an incredible experience. Many have come since October of last year telling me, ‘María, I want to get baptized. I’ve been coming to church. I’ve learned so much,’” she said.

She added they’ve been faithful to the formation process, which is “spectacular.” Falcón began early meetings with ministry leaders, asking them to invite anyone who had not received the Sacraments to let them know she would accompany them.

Of the 29 children celebrating the rite, many parents had not received formation or were only married civilly.

“We form them both,” she said. “When God puts you in a certain place, it’s because He’s going to help you accomplish the task and give you the tools.”

Jorge Montes is catechetical director at St. Thomas Aquinas in St. Cloud. He said accompaniment is key.

“When we get parents requesting their children receive the Sacraments, we sit down and get to know them. Eventually the story unfolds. There is a family member who has not been baptized, or they have not convalidated their marriage. We help them all,” he said, adding the growth in his area necessitated the parish to add a Spanish and a Portuguese Mass.

To both directors’ point, Carlos Rivera approached Falcón with a desire to be baptized. Married civilly, his wife recently received her annulment. Although the couple could just convalidate the marriage, Rivera desired to fully enter the Catholic Church first.

“I spent many years apart from my heavenly Father, so I decided it was time to make a firm commitment to Our Lord,” he said.

Yahir Humberto Rivera, of Holy Redeemer Parish, said he had no previous exposure to the faith. It was the witness of his fiancée that drew him to Catholocism.

“She put her foot down when it came to God. When the love of God is with a strong woman, I can’t really argue,” he said. “I never sought to follow God. I feel she was a messenger that God sent for me. I just want to follow God’s path and that’s what drives me.”

Juan Junior Algarin is a young U.S. Army veteran who admitted he felt empty coming out of the military. He recalled kneeling down to pray and being called by the Holy Spirit to go to church.

“As soon as I typed ‘church’ in my phone, Holy Redeemer came up. It gives me chills,” he said. “I started attending Mass and that emptiness I had was filled with the Gospel. I feel like I don’t carry all that weight anymore because the Lord is doing it for us… I want to evangelize the Gospel and His Word and be impactful for other people.”

Fellow parishioner Ellis D. is a hopeful 12-year-old boy who always believed in God. He began participating in the Mass with his mother three years ago and said recently he started feeling distant from God. With much loss over the past two years and a debilitating lifelong illness, his feelings changed.

“I wanted to do this because I want to be closer to God,” he said. “It helps me cope because I know God can help me when I need Him during the hard times with my illness. I pray to Him, and he gives him courage and strength.”

On New Year’s Eve he had a flare up while at Mass. He asked his pastor, Father Emmanuel Akalue, to pray for him.

“I felt the Holy Spirit help me in my body. I know God is real, but it made me feel I’m not alone during this journey,” he said.

Ronald Smith of St. Jude Parish in Ocala was a Southern Baptist most of his life. He began attending Catholic Mass with his wife a decade ago.

“I’m getting older, and I liked the organization of the Catholic Church. I want something solid I can count on,” he said.

Holy Family Parish in Orlando almost doubled its number of Elect over the past two years to 40 this year. Manuel Castañeda, director of evangelization and pastoral care, said there are several possible reasons for growth. He credited social media and the many Catholic Apologetics programs available for explaining the faith. He believes many are returning or finding a home in the Catholic Church because of the great secularization of our society.

“I think people are seeing the world become more secular and aren’t sure they want to go down that route,” he said.

Luis Nieves, of the diocesan Laity, Family and Life ministry said, “We’re definitely seeing the Jubilee Year of Hope happening as the Holy Spirit is inspiring people to come into the Church and parishes are walking with them.”

To learn more about the Catholic faith and how to begin the process of becoming Catholic visit here.

By Glenda Meekins of the Florida Catholic staff, March 13, 2025