Ryan Camaratta, once distant from his Catholic upbringing, is now stepping back into the faith he left behind in his teenage years. At 31, having overcome a challenging past of addiction and homelessness, he is set to be confirmed in the Catholic Church this Easter weekend at St. John the Evangelist Church in Pittston. Reflecting on his journey, Camaratta sees this moment as “the start of the rest of my life, the rest of my journey.”
Increasing Catholic Conversions
In the Diocese of Scranton, 312 individuals are on course to join the Catholic Church this Easter, marking a significant rise from 207 the previous year, as noted by diocesan spokesman Eric Deabill. This group includes 175 baptized Christians, referred to as “candidates,” and 137 unbaptized individuals, known as “catechumens.” The trend in Scranton mirrors a national rise in Catholic conversions, with many U.S. dioceses reporting significant increases in new members, according to a report by the National Catholic Register.
The survey indicated that 71 U.S. dioceses, or 40%, responded, with 66 expecting an increase in new Catholics. Notably, dioceses in Pennsylvania, such as Altoona-Johnstown, Harrisburg, and Philadelphia, reported considerable growth. Meanwhile, Scranton’s conversion numbers have jumped nearly 51% this year.
Elsewhere, the Archdiocese of Newark, N.J., has seen a 30% rise in new Catholics this year and a 72% increase since 2023, as highlighted by NJ.com. The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette also noted a surge in practicing Catholics on college campuses in Pittsburgh. Additionally, the Washington Post reported a rise in Catholicism among Gen Z men.
While the Scranton Diocese does not categorize new members by age, it does differentiate between adults (102) and youths (35) in the catechumen category.
Bishop Bambera’s Reflections
During the Chrism Mass at St. Peter’s Cathedral, Scranton Bishop Joseph Bambera commented on the trend of increasing new Catholics. He emphasized that this movement towards the Church is “not by chance, but by the power of God working in families, in friends, and particularly in and through the life and ministry of your parishes.”
Bambera’s Easter message also touched on the rise in new Catholics, expressing hope amidst global challenges. He noted that these new members “will join with catechumens and candidates from around the world in numbers that we have not experienced in years.”
Personal Journeys of Faith
Camaratta is not alone in his journey back to faith. Matt Rosencrans, a catechumen at St. John the Evangelist, has also found solace and community in the Church. Despite a difficult past, Rosencrans feels a sense of belonging and describes his new parish as “like a big family.”
Similarly, Carlie Craven, a “cradle Catholic,” is returning to her roots. Her journey back to Catholicism was influenced by her studies and personal experiences, leading to what she describes as an “intellectual conversion” back to the Church.
A New Chapter
For Camaratta, the path to Catholicism has been transformative. Inspired by figures like St. Augustine, he finds parallels in their stories of redemption and faith. Now working in substance use treatment, Camaratta shares his journey as a source of hope and inspiration.
“How good it felt to be surrounded by people on the same path,” Camaratta said of joining his parish. As he prepares for confirmation, he feels a mix of excitement and nervousness, describing it as a midpoint in his spiritual journey.
