Religion is not dead in America. It is seeing a resurgence, particularly in the Catholic faith.
The Catholic Church in the United States is experiencing significant growth in new members in 2026. According to data from Hallow—the world’s largest prayer app—the average diocese is seeing a 38% growth in new members entering the church this Easter compared with 2025 numbers.
This data was taken from 140 of 175 dioceses across the United States. Hallow created an interactive map (below) to view the data by diocese.
The Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (OCIA) is the process for catechumens and candidates—those seeking to become members of the Catholic faith—to enter the church. Hallow received data from OCIA programs nationwide to consolidate information regarding this growth in faith.
The largest dioceses in the country experienced substantial growth. These include the Archdiocese of Los Angeles (139%), the Diocese of Phoenix (23%), the Archdiocese of New York (36%) and the Archdiocese of Chicago (52%). The Archdiocese of Los Angeles alone is welcoming 8,000 people into the Church.
Prayer App’s Expanding Reach
Hallow does not take credit for impacting these numbers, but its influence may be a factor.
The prayer app launched in 2018 by Alex Jones. It hosts more than 10,000 audio-guided prayer sessions, and its goal is clear: to bring people into a deeper relationship with God by helping them build a daily prayer life. The app recently surpassed 1 billion prayers completed in more than 150 countries.
That impact led to Hallow’s founders being awarded the 2026 Christifideles Laici Award at the National Catholic Prayer Breakfast in March.
The effect of Hallow, along with other cultural factors and a changing spiritual landscape, has tilled the soil for renewed openness to faith. People appear increasingly willing to acknowledge their need for God and to explore the person of Jesus Christ.
In a world marked by confusion, suffering, and distress, Catholicism offers a remedy: Jesus Christ.
Easter, Prayer, and Renewed Hope
Curiosity can become the seed of a deep relationship with Christ. Merriam-Webster defines curious as “marked by a desire to investigate and learn.” Those who are interested in learning more about Jesus often choose to pray more, read Scripture or study His teachings.
When they do, they discover that He is unlike any person who has ever lived—not only because He performed miracles or delivered profound sermons, but because He rose from the dead and is alive today. The empty tomb is the setting for a personal encounter with the living Christ.
For this reason, prayer and Easter are inseparable. Prayer is communion with the living God who conquered death. A daily commitment to prayer is essential not only to begin a relationship with Jesus but to sustain it.
As Easter approaches, the rising interest in the Catholic faith offers hope and encouragement. The growing number of converts should inspire believers to pursue a deeper and more consistent life of prayer.
In these holiest days of the year, Easter reminds us that faith does not disappoint. Christ is alive, and nothing is more important than knowing Him, loving Him and serving Him.