France – Adult conversions boom

The Archdiocese of Paris convenes a Provincial Council: the conversion figures are so thought-provoking that for two years the whole of the Ile de France region will be called upon to discuss and understand what is happening. And, above all, how not to miss this wave of faith.

“Many people, young and old, are turning to our parishes today to ask for baptism and all the sacraments of Christian initiation.

It is an immense joy to see them stand up. Their journey began with an encounter with the Risen One, who beckoned them and trusts us to welcome them and give them a place.

What joy! And what responsibility!

The provincial council is excellent news for all of us.

Let us ask together for the help of the Holy Spirit.

Let us move forward with confidence on the paths that He will show us.

He will make us more capable of welcoming into our communities those whom He is adding to our communities today to follow Christ and give glory to the Father.

Mgr Dominique Marie Joseph Blanchet, Bishop of Créteil and, from 21 May 2025, Bishop-President of the Committee for the Mission of France

Testimonies of adult baptisms

Salomé

My name is Salomé, baptised and confirmed in the Catholic Church in 2025. My journey to faith was born of a deep inner calling, a search for truth and a sincere desire to encounter Christ.

What first drew me to the Church was my encounter with sacred art during my childhood, which led me to discover the Gospel. The liturgy then took centre stage in this long journey, and in it I found the living presence of Christ who enlightens, calms and brings truth. I also discovered a community called to live the Gospel in a concrete way, in everyday human relationships.

Mass occupies a central place in my life of faith. It is a moment of silence, of presence and of real encounter with Christ. It helps me to find my centre, to lay down what I carry with me and to allow myself to be transformed. Even when I go through storms, Mass remains for me a place of fidelity and anchorage.

It all started with a homily, heard at a very precise moment in my life. Simple words, but deeply true, received as an inner response.

Shortly afterwards, a chance encounter with a young parishioner during an event organised by the parish allowed me to speak to the parish priest, who listened and confirmed this calling, effectively paving the way for baptism. Without these two moments, I probably would not be baptised today.

The accompaniment of the catechumenate was then important in helping me to move forward. The experience of community, on the other hand, sometimes requires time and delicacy. For a newly baptised person, attention, respect and simple gestures of kindness are essential.

For the future, I wish to continue to advance humbly in faith, remaining faithful to this inner call and also discerning how the Lord is calling me to serve him, including the possibility of a consecrated life.
I encourage the community to welcome those who arrive with kindness: a glance or a word can become a real starting point, and caring for people already means living the Gospel.

Anonymous

At the age of 22, I abandoned the Muslim religion that had been passed on to me by my parents and found myself in agnosticism. That said, that period coincided with COVID. I therefore began to ask myself deeper questions, particularly about suffering and the question of morality.

In Jesus, I found meaning in this suffering and an example of goodness and moral perfection that can serve as a compass in a world full of tribulations. Then, knowing Jesus, I wondered what was the most appropriate way to deepen this relationship with Him.

The Catholic Church, with its liturgical beauty and historical continuity, founded on the tradition that goes from Saint Peter to the last pope, as well as the sacraments it offers as spiritual nourishment, seemed to me to be the best way to talk to Jesus. I therefore decided to embark on the catechumenate path at Saint-Sulpice.

What I liked about this journey was the respect for my freedom: these two years of discernment and preparation for baptism were a sign of this for me. In addition, I was accompanied by Father Pivot, may he rest in peace, who was a priest of great wisdom and humility and who accompanied me throughout this journey.

The second thing that struck me as a former Muslim was that at Saint-Sulpice I was not referred to as “the former Muslim”… but I could be “Catholic like everyone else!”, as Louis de Funès would say, and this was an immense relief for me.

That said, the Church is embodied in its faithful, and each of us has our own differences. At times, I felt tired of feeling culturally separated from others because I did not grow up in this culture from childhood like the others. But as Father Raphaël said in one of his homilies: ‘Saint-Sulpice is not the Club Med of the 6th arrondissement’, and thank God I found good friends who understood my situation and accompanied me with love and kindness, especially the group of altar boys I joined.

Today, after my baptism, I face new spiritual battles, and it is better not to fight them alone. I think that with the work of the priests and members of the Saint-Sulpice community, as well as all the parishioners who contribute to this spiritual edifice, I will not be disappointed.

Finally, I thank you all for this beautiful treasure chest of love and charity that you have been able to offer me.

I also had many requests in my prayers for my personal life and my family. Then, over time, my prayers broadened and continue to deepen.
I immediately felt the need to ask for confirmation after reading some publications on this sacrament and listening to the teachings of priests and consecrated sisters on the Internet. These teachings touched me deeply and I ardently desired to receive the gifts of the Holy Spirit through the sacrament of confirmation.

I was very well received by the parish of Saint Sulpice, near my workplace, where I went regularly for Mass and times of adoration.

It was not my parish, as I did not live in that neighbourhood, and so I felt the need to be part of a community, which I was able to achieve in my new place of residence.
I left Paris immediately after my confirmation and, by coincidence, the date of the signing of the sale of my flat, and therefore my move to the countryside, was set for the day after my confirmation in 2021!

With this departure, I fulfilled a desire I had had since childhood: to leave the city and live closer to nature.
I have not regretted it.

When I arrived at my home in Brittany, I was easily accepted as a volunteer to help teach catechism. I now work part-time for the diocese of Saint Brieuc as a catechism coordinator, which gives me a lot of joy. I would never have imagined this a few years ago!

Now I want to get closer to a community, like Emmanuel, which offers spiritual formation, such as the Effusion of the Holy Spirit course. I took it this summer in Paray-le-Monial and we are starting to put it into practice in my parish.

I am convinced of the importance of these initiatives in allowing God to act in our hearts and make us missionaries in his service.
When we receive baptism and confirmation, God acts in our lives from the moment of preparation and continuously if we remain faithful to him.

I thank all the people who have accompanied me on this journey of conversion. May God bless them.

Testimonials from the website of the parish of Saint Sulpice in Paris