According to a recently released study, visiting beautiful churches and cathedrals are one of the top reasons that influences the youth across the globe in deciding to convert to Christianity.
“The way of beauty, is a privileged and fascinating way to approach the Mystery of God. What is beauty, if not the reflection of the splendor of the Eternal Word made flesh?” – Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI
According to the study, commissioned by a British evangelization research group, thirteen percent of teenagers who decided to convert to Christianity did so because of their experience visiting and seeing the design of traditional churches and cathedrals. Encounters with beautiful architecture beat out the most common evangelization effort today – youth groups, along with attending weddings and speaking to other Christians about the Faith.
After seeing the “shocking results, the researchers concluded that “new methods invested in by the Church, such as youth groups, are less effective than prayer or visiting a church building in attracting children to the Church.” The group’s research adds evidence to rising trend of Catholic youth desiring traditional devotions and seeking to experience rich Church history: relics, the saints, liturgies, and beautiful churches.
In 2007, Pope Benedict XVI formally allowed the Traditional Latin Mass to be made more accessible to parishes. Since then, demand for tradition has only grown. While hard figures are not available, the trend is all but confirmed. The president of the the Foederatio Internationalis Una Voce, a federation of lay organizations dedicated to the Tridentine Mass, says “I think people are drawn to the Mass’ beauty and depth and its internal coherence.”
Father Joseph Kramer, a priest based in Rome who’s Parish only celebrates the Latin Mass, believes the same about enduring appeal of tradition to Catholics today.
“There is a movement among young Catholics to know, discover and preserve their Catholic heritage, and the traditional Latin Mass fits in with that. I think they are drawn to the liturgical richness of the past.”
Full story at UCatholic.
I would have been more interested in a listing of the top five reasons, and related percentages, for converting to Christianity. I note with interest that the article twice says ‘convert to Christianity’ rather than ‘convert to Catholicism’. Apparently church design and furnishings was most important to thirteen percent.. What were the other major influences??
Someone bring this to the attention of Bishop Vann in Orange County so that the construction of the modernist design for Christ the Savior Parish in Santa Ana can be stopped!!
I was thinking the same thing! That church design is so ugly; you can’t even tell it’s a church, let alone a Catholic Church. So very sad….
When I taught in Catholic schools, I added Latin, traditional church architecture, altar-serving and Catholic literature to Religion. It was quite successful until a new principal, who didn’t like any of it, squashed it, despite objections by students and parents alike.
I don’t think it’s limited to youth being influenced to convert to Catholicism. I know I’m willing to drive quite a distance to see a beautiful Church. I’ve often noticed that the modern gymnasiums built and called a Catholic Church is not what is shown on TV or movies whenever a Catholic Church is used. Not at all, even they know people need the beauty of the old style Churches to even recognize it is a Church.
Interesting! As Bishop Robert Barron notes – beauty is one of the indicators of a loving God and also an effective tool for evangelization. Unfortunately, there is no link or citation to the research study leading one to question the veracity of the study and article.
Harold, that’s like asking for a citation to a research study concluding water is wet.
It was a British study done by Dr. Peter Brierley for an organization named ComRes. It is from 2006. It is online. This has links.
https://www1.cbn.com/cbnnews/world/2017/june/uk-teens-give-church-a-surprising-wake-up-call
Duh,…
I would like to believe that beauty in traditional church buildings draws people to the Church. However the spectacular drop in church attendance throughout most of Europe indicates that beautiful buildings are not now very significant in belief there.
I recently had occasion to participate in a solemn high mass of requiem in the tridetine liturgy. It was identical to what I experienced growing up. It is still beautiful but I find the current celebration of the Eucharist more uplifting and participatory. Ancient churches are indeed inspiring.