WILLIAMSBURG — For decades, older Catholics were seen as the most reliable churchgoers. New research suggests that the pattern may be shifting.
A 2025 Leadership Roundtable report found that nearly 65% of adults ages 18 to 29 attend Mass at least once a month — a higher share than any older age group measured.
Among them is 28-year-old Aniessa Navarro, who has built an online following while regularly inviting young Catholics to join her at Masses across New York City.
On March 15, Navarro invited her followers to join her for the 6 p.m. Mass at Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary Church in Williamsburg, drawing around 10 people — the largest group she’s seen since she began the outreach.
“I think that everybody is just seeking truth,” Navarro said. “In a world where, on social media, we’re fed so much junk all day long, I think so many people are just like, ‘I need to feel connected to something that’s true again.’ ”
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Around 70 Massgoers under the age of 35 were there that night, with parish leaders saying the Mass can see up to 100 young adults packing the pews each week.
“Many of the young people in this neighborhood live alone, or they live with someone, but they don’t have any sense of community, and they come to church to look for that,” said Msgr. Jamie Gigantiello, pastor of Shrine Church of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel – Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary Parish.
“It’s hard to make friends in New York City,” Navarro said. “What a beautiful way to also meet people with the same values as you.”
At Annunciation, that search for connection often continues after Mass.
Once a month, wine-and-cheese social gatherings follow the Sunday evening liturgy. The events, which also include pizza nights and barbecues in the warmer weather, were introduced as young adults steadily returned to Church after the pandemic.
“By having these gatherings, it gives not only the priests the opportunity to get to know them, but also for them to get to know each other,” Msgr. Gigantiello said.
Msgr. Gigantiello added that the Sunday evening Mass attendance improved after adding regular social gatherings and moving them from Our Lady of Mt. Carmel to Annunciation’s more central location on Metropolitan Avenue.
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Yatshan Tavarez, 29, recently started making her way over to the Williamsburg church from Ozone Park, Queens, on Sundays. On March 15, Tavarez brought her friend, who had never been to church before. She said Mass is a way to connect with other young people and rejuvenate on Sunday nights.
“I like the community here; it feels so welcoming and warm. Everyone is so nice,” Tavarez said. “I grew up Catholic, but I wanted to be more in touch with my faith. It’s a great way to finish your Sunday and get ready for the week.”
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Kyle Downey, 31, moved to Williamsburg from San Diego two and a half years ago and began attending Annunciation regularly about a year ago, saying the parish offered both proximity and a weekly rhythm that helped anchor his faith and daily life.
“A framework to understand life, and the way that I fit into the world,” Downey said when asked what Church offers him that he does not find elsewhere. “And a place that kind of reinforces what I think the best example of living is, which is obviously Jesus — and being reminded of that every week.
“Just the feeling of being in church … it’s a special place.”
Msgr. Gigantiello said the Church offers many young adults something they often struggle to find elsewhere — a sense of purpose, responsibility, and reassurance that they are not alone.
“It’s so encouraging to see young people coming to church because they’re the future,” Msgr. Gigantiello said. “You’re reaching young people, and there’s something that you have a message for them — and they’re responding.”
