Speaking with Morning Air about "How to be Catholic" Google searches

I had the pleasure of joining John Morales and the Morning Air crew last week to discuss the fun fact that searches for “How to become Catholic” spiked after Pope Francis’s death. The interview starts here at minute 18:30. I found this such an intriguing concept because it’s how we find out everything now - we Google it. But it’s basically the same thing as asking the internet, “How do I talk to God?” We pose this mystical question not to a firsthand source, but to our AI helper. That’s the times. And yet, it shows people are still searching. And if there is one thing I will always believe - the Hill I will die on, I guess - it is that human nature never changes, and never will. So we search, and we use whatever tools at hand to find the answers, whatever the century is.

Other interesting points: they started the interview with a clip from Cardinal Dolan who said no one does high drama like the Catholic Church, and that’s right. John asked me my take, and it is this: the world is craving reality. We are so immersed in our devices and our virtual relationships, that a magnificent display like what you saw at the papal conclave and election is striking. I loved the procession of musicians and Swiss guards in their musical tribute, which is how I interpreted it. Imagine the music of the angels in heaven at that moment!

The main point I wanted to make in this conversation, too, was that it is a start to become Catholic, but then there is more to it: there is the being and living as a Catholic in daily life. My prescription for this is always the same: prayer, works, fellowship. Pray (speak to God), serve others in whatever manner is suitable for you, and be with other Catholics. That’s it. If you do those things faithfully, asking for the grace of the Holy Spirit, you’re being Catholic.

Always a great time with the Morning Air crew and getting to discuss these matters impacting all our lives. I do pray for all those Googling their way to the faith currently. And I also think, for those that make it past the inquiry stage and all the way to the end: what an adventure you are embarking on! What a world is about to open up to you! Praise God for the lives of both his servants, Pope Francis and Pope Leo.

Google searches on how to become Catholic spike 373% after death of Pope Francis

That’s quite a headline, isn’t it?

Google searches on how to become Catholic spike 373% after death of Pope Francis

Following on the news out of the Easter season that, for a second year in a row, dioceses all over the world are reporting record numbers of new Catholics, the fact that Google searches for “how to become Catholic” have increased makes sense.

It occurred in the context of Pope Francis’s death late last month. One wonders what Pope Leo’s new papacy will do to conversions, too.

I was thinking about that question - how do I become Catholic? - and what the answer is. Yes, one goes to OCIA and takes the classes and received the sacrament at Easter. But what about after that? What does it mean to be Catholic?

I’ll be on Morning Air tomorrow morning at 8:20 eastern to answer that question. The answer comes from what I learned in the Legion of Mary: to be Catholic, one’s life must be active across three different facets: prayer, works, and fellowship. See here how you can listen in on the radio, in the app, or by streaming.

An increase in Catholics in the Easter season

Dear readers and listeners, in case you missed me on Relevant Radio yesterday (this was before our new Pope was announced), I joined the show to discuss with John the reported increase in new Catholics across the US and the world at Easter. These are adult converts, and this is the second year in a row where a marked increase has happened. I maintain it’s the tumult of the COVID years that caused people to search for meaning and find it, obviously, in the practice of the faith. All good news, all around! You can listen here around minute 17:11.

May you continue to have a blessed and joyful Easter!