Why Catholics Are Leaving—and How Liturgical Catechesis Can Bring Them Back

Americans who identify as Catholic and practice their faith are in decline. According to the “Pillar Survey on Religious Attitudes and Practice,” 31% of the children born in the United States in 1960 were baptized Catholic. By 2019, the number was down to 15%. Sherry Weddell in her book, “Forming Intentional Disciples,” further reveals only 30% of Americans who were raised Catholic are still practicing. And of those, 79% left the faith by the age of 23. It’s no surprise younger members are spearheading the exodus since society and social media portray Christianity as being irrational, irrelevant, intolerant, and an obstacle to an individual’s personal expression and exploration.

The COVID-19 pandemic also contributed to Catholicism’s shrinking numbers. For almost two years, the Church requirement to attend Mass in person was suspended in many places. Now that the dispensation has been lifted, many Catholics are reevaluating their desire to return. A 2021 Pillar’s Survey shows, since the pandemic, only 36% of Catholics say they now go to Mass at least once a week — including streaming Masses. The number going at less frequent intervals has also dropped, and those who say they never go to Mass has increased to 29%.

Pope Francis’ promulgation of “Traditionis Custodes” may have also caused some to discontinue Mass attendance. The document reverses Pope Benedict’s decision to give equal footing to the new Mass—which he called the Ordinary Form—and pre-Vatican II liturgy—which he called the Extraordinary Form. According to Pope Francis, the new liturgy is the only liturgy of the Church, and the Latin Mass will be severely restricted. Those who can no longer attend the Latin Mass and, through misunderstanding, reject the new Mass, may opt to no longer attend any liturgy.

So what can we do about this departure? The answer lies in the Gospel of John where Christ told his followers unless they eat his body and drink his blood, they will not receive eternal life. This instruction—popularly known as “The Bread of Life Discourse”—was very controversial and many chose to abandon Jesus that day at Capernaum rather than stay by his side to better understand the meaning of his words. Jesus asked the Twelve if they too would leave. Simon Peter declared,

“Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.” —John 6:68

The fullness of our Lord’s teaching would be revealed later on Holy Thursday when he gave his body and blood as food and drink. In the Upper Room, Christ instituted the Eucharist and entrusted us with the Mass—the vehicle he chose so all generations thereafter would be able to meet him, listen to him, respond to him, and abide with him. Nowhere are we closer to Christ than when we partake of the paschal banquet. But, like at Emmaus, we need to recognize him in the breaking of the bread. We are the ones who must study the Mass in order to know him better. 

Liturgical catechesis is integral to stemming the tide of departure. A 2019 Pew Research study reports only about one-third of U.S. Catholics believe the Eucharist is truly the body and blood of Christ. Catholics will continue to leave the faith if they don’t know what they have. The Eucharist is the source and summit of the whole Christian life. It’s the vital center of all the Church is and does, because at its heart is the body, blood, soul, and divinity of Christ. It’s only by drawing near to Jesus in the Eucharist that man’s heart can be satisfied. How many people would walk away from the Church if they believed the creator of the universe appears on the altar at each and every Mass? And what they consume is not a piece of bread, but the only one who can still their restlessness and fulfill their longings? Moreover that we participate in the saving action of Christ and partake of his divinity each time we go to Communion. If Catholics truly understood the Mass, their response to society’s urging for them to abandon their faith would be “to whom shall we go?”

There are many noble resources available to help Catholics remain in their faith by learning about the Mass, including an abundance of book titles. However, few of these publications are written and designed specifically to attract today’s reader. The pervasiveness of Instagram, TikTok and Facebook attest to the importance images have in contemporary communication. One proven way to stop a thumb from scrolling past a social post is to insert an appealing photo. Social media posts with images lead to higher user engagement, interaction, and redistribution. But our use and desire for images is nothing new. As attested to by the cave paintings of animals found in Indonesia, Australia, France, and other locations, man has used images as a means of communication long before written language. In fact, when writing systems did emerge, many of them, such as hieroglyphics, were essentially a series of simplified drawings. 

Biologically, a large part of the human brain is dedicated to visual processing. When educating children, images help grab attention, improve comprehension, and increase retention. It’s no wonder when adults give presentations, their projected words are almost always accompanied by photographs, illustrations, charts, or graphs. 

Pairing text with graphics is a sure way to connect with an audience and increase the odds that what is presented will be received and remembered.

From the wall paintings of Lascaux to the hieroglyphs of Egypt to the emojis and memes on your phone, man has relied on images to help express, explain, and inspire. There’s no doubt we are visual creatures. So to reach the masses with the Mass, the text in “Mass Explained” is accompanied by almost 2,000 images of paintings, sculptures, vessels, vestments, and sacred sites. The works of the great masters help illustrate the prayers, postures, rituals, and rubrics of the Mass. The Catholic Church has been blessed with a vast inheritance and her rich visual history plays a central role in the book’s design to draw readers into the content.

But, even though “Mass Explained” is filled with hundreds of beautiful images, it’s not a coffee table book with big photos and scant content. One sure way to lose an audience is to water down your message or oversimplify it. “Mass Explained” is a deep dive into the liturgy. It explores the roots of each section of the Mass with its unique prayers and gestures. Every word said by the ministers and assembly is presented and studied. The book is packed with scriptural references, quotes from the Church Fathers and the Catechism, and excerpts from saints, popes, councils, and encyclicals.

At the end of each of its 43 chapters is a chapter overview, 15 review questions and three questions for reflection and group discussion making “Mass Explained” perfect for use in schools, group study at the parish level, or for private learning at home.

In an apostolic letter promulgated June 29, 2022, Pope Francis pleads that

“we are in need of a serious and dynamic liturgical formation.” —Desiderio Desideravi, 31

“Mass Explained” is a response to the Holy Father’s call. Through sacred images, faithful writing and contemporary design, “Mass Explained” aims to help Catholics fortify their faith through a better understanding of the Eucharistic liturgy.