BY FARAH G. DECANO
Gospel on beads
Many of us assumed that as technology advanced, the fascination with religion among the youth would inevitably wither. We predicted that a world full of digital distractions would erode their capacity for piety. We—this writer included—were wrong.
Reports suggest a burgeoning curiosity about Catholicism among Generation Z, particularly in the United States. This shift is manifesting in higher Sunday Mass attendance and rising conversion rates. This trend isn’t exclusive to the West. In Dagupan City, we recently recorded a significant number of converts during the Easter Sunday Mass.
One American priest observed that Gen Z possesses a profound “spiritual hunger.” In a world of fleeting trends, they are drawn to Catholicism’s ancient traditions and doctrinal clarity, seeking the stability and meaning that secular life often fails to provide. While formal sociological studies are still catching up to this phenomenon, the anecdotal evidence is undeniable.
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In the absence of exhaustive scientific research, one can speculate that social mediahas played a pivotal role. Platforms that once seemed like enemies of the faith are now being used to simplify complex Catholic theology for a new generation.
Take, for example, the Facebook reels of Marie Mazzanti, a mother of five from Texas. Married to a Protestant, Mazzanti uses her platform to address common misconceptions about the Catholic faith using a mix of Sacred Tradition and Scripture. Her videos often feature a dual-role format: she plays both the “confused friend” seeking answers and the “informed mentor” providing them.
One of Mazzanti’s most compelling reels tackles the common criticisms of the Holy Rosary. When critics argue that the Rosary is just “vain repetition,” she points to Matthew and Revelations, noting that even Jesus and the Angels repeated their prayers. The issue, she clarifies, is not the repetition itself, but whether the heart is empty or engaged.
To those who ask why we need the Rosary when we have the “Our Father,” she reminds viewers that the Rosary begins with the Apostles’ Creed, includes the Lord’s Prayer, and concludes with the Glory Be. Furthermore, the four sets of Mysteries—Joyful, Luminous, Sorrowful, and Glorious—are a chronological meditation on the life of Christ. As Mazzanti beautifully puts it: if prayed slowly, one realizes the Rosary is actually the “Gospel on beads.”
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Mazzanti also highlights how secularization has “hijacked” Catholic history. For instance, Halloween originated from the Catholic practice of celebrating the eve of All Saints’ Day (All Hallows’ Eve). What was once a “Holy Evening” has been rebranded by secular culture to focus exclusively on ghouls and ghosts, stripping away its original spiritual significance.
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What makes creators like Mazzanti so appealing is their ability to cite biblical verses to support Catholic practices. Historically, many Catholics have struggled with this. When challenged on our beliefs, we often “clam up” because we rely solely on habit rather than study. We tend to lean on tradition for our piety without understanding the scriptural foundation beneath it.
If we wish to remain steadfast in a changing world, it is not enough to simply “be” Catholic. We must follow the lead of this new generation: diving into our history, understanding our traditions, and—most importantly—reading the Bible for ourselves with the proper guidance of our priests.