Newsroom (11/16/2025 18:48, Gaudium Press) InfoCatólica reports that the Diocese of Bridgeport, Connecticut, USA, has seen a 22% increase in Holy Mass attendance since 2022, according to Bishop Frank Caggiano, bishop of the diocese.
Bishop Caggiano was one of the first to reintroduce the prayer to St. Michael at the end of Holy Mass, and he is often seen at pro-life events.
“We are at the beginning of a spiritual awakening.”
The prelate has speculated on the reasons for this phenomenon: “I believe that history will show that we are at the beginning of a spiritual awakening in our country, and not only in the Catholic Church, but in general. Young people and young adults are returning to the faith. Regardless of the faith they respect, I think that among us Catholics are present in disproportionately greater numbers compared to any other demographic group, which in some ways defies common logic.”
Caggiano noted that this increase has been observed since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, attributing it to the uncertainty of the current global situation and to people’s search for meaning in their lives.
The One New Evangelization Program
The diocese has not remained inactive in the face of society’s de-Christianization, but has committed itself to a new evangelization program called The One. As the diocese explains on its website: “Christ invites each of us to encounter him more deeply with our minds, hearts, and wills. When we encounter Christ, we learn to know him better, we learn to love him, and we share his life with others; our faith deepens. Then, as missionary disciples in the world, we can accompany others who wish to join us and invite each of our brothers and sisters to this personal encounter.”
The program seeks to “renew the culture of our Church and bring each faithful closer to the Lord Jesus through an encounter with his strength and love,” while promoting “small communities of faith that accompany and support their members on their journey of faith.”
Significant increase in priestly vocations
The increase in seminarians goes hand in hand with a successful diocesan program to foster vocations. The diocese collaborates with the Called by Name program, which has also been successful in other dioceses in the United States.
Community members are invited to provide the names of young men they consider suitable for priestly life. These young men are then contacted by the diocese and invited to reflect on the question of a vocation to the priesthood.
So far, the names of more than 321 people have been proposed. As a result, in the last two years, 20 candidates have entered the seminary, significantly increasing the number of candidates to 38.
With information from InfoCatólica
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