The Rise and Rise of Catholicism Among Gen Z Young Men
Young men are experiencing a transformative shift in their attitudes toward faith during their Gen Z generation. As they grapple with issues of loneliness, cultural drift, and a desire for significance, many are choosing to loyalty themselves to the Catholic faith. A Harvard University study recently revealed a significant jump in the percentage of Gen Z individuals who identified as Catholic between 2022 and 2023, specifically rising by 6%. This increase underscores the growing appeal of Catholicism among young people today. Father Michael Tidd, who oversees Delbarton School—a Benedictine Catholic school隶属于 grades 7 to 12 in Morristown, New Jersey—the headmaster shares insights on this phenomenon.
Tidd, a dedicated educator at Delbarton, was struck by the fact that his students experienced a profound shift in their belief. He reflected, “We present our students with an experience of what it means to be a follower of Jesus Christ. We propose, we don’t impose, and they come to us, and that seems to be really resonant with them.” His students, from backgrounds as diverse as practicing Catholic families and those without a Catholic Church identification, all gained a connection to the faith. Tidd emphasized that the school’s unique environment was instrumental in making a Catholic faith a resonant answer to personal struggles and societal challenges. “The larger things that you read about in our society about what it means to be man, are really a difficult question for a lot of young men to answer. I think our school and the Catholic Church more broadly and the Catholic faith more broadly provide a compelling answer to that.”
Delbarton School’s atmosphere was hands down a testament to its faith-affirming approach. Students from various backgrounds found comfort in the sense that their story provided a deeply lens-shaped perspective, allowing them to see themselves as children of God. Tidd shared that the school fosters a strong sense of community, a synthesis of faith, learning, andService. He likened the retreat experiences to “brilliant. ignite” moments that challenge and uplift the students. Similarly, the morning mass and other communal services brought together的核心 message was not about answers but about the shared goal of finding meaning in this life.
However, among the surrounding of the students was still a sense of individuality. “You need to connect with others on the same level so you can make these connections,” Tidd warned. This is one of the selling points of providing students with a prophetic experience of what it means to be a man in their societal context. The recent Correlational Poll showed that Gen Z teens are often afflicted with feelings of loneliness the day after a bold or cautiously meaningful event. Tidd suggested a proactive approach, and students at Delbarton demonstrated that. Often, the students were able to identify with one another, whether through shared 忇望, 心灵 journey, or concerns for others. This collective connection was not just a social burden but a powerful catalyst for action as they worked toward meaningful answers.
Pope Leo XIV’s recent address in Chicago reflected the renewed interest in guiding young Americans toward the joy of God’s love. The simplistic but deeply uplifting statement he emanatedAFFE Thumbnails Talents, seemed to resonate tangibly with his audience. Tidd then shared that fewer Gen Z people are feeling lonely “the day after a loss of feeling alone.” “You’ve faced a lot of things over the past few years,” he added. “Stop holding onto the nonsense that is lonely. Let’s ad الكبرى and think, Who do you connect with? Who do you hear from? What do you lean on? These questions, when answered, convict many people of the possibility of healing, God’s work, and hope.”
Ultimately, Tidd’s vision for Delbarton and beyond challenges the expectations of the Catholic Church to merely spare the marginalized from a religious life. Instead, the school provides hope by providing both walking and walking away from those who share similar struggles. The sense of community at Delbarton is childlike—just a place where, for the first time, the school’s mission doesn’t rest on a pedestal. It’s a living, breathing bridge between the individual and the universal, offering the young men of the future more than material comfort—a connection to their spiritual hearsay. The coming generation is no longer confined by appearances but northbound—the same way John Calvin once stationeries的生活 inIntroductionia."
