A new study by the Center for Applied Research in the Apostolate (CARA) at Georgetown University shows that weekly Catholic Mass attendance in the US is similar to in 2019 before COVID.
The analysis, based on national surveys and Google Trends data, estimates an average attendance rate of 24% from mid-2023 through early 2025—matching figures recorded in 2019.
During the pandemic, attendance dropped sharply as in-person Mass was suspended in many places. Between 2020 and 2023, the average weekly rate fell to 15%, with some periods dipping even lower. Many dioceses reinstated the Sunday obligation in stages and participation gradually increased.
CARA’s research also found that attendance for key liturgical celebrations, such as Easter and Ash Wednesday, returned to 2019 levels in 2023. Christmas Mass attendance followed suit in 2024, marking a full recovery for major Catholic feast days.
While weekly attendance has stabilized, CARA notes that broader trends show a long-term decline in churchgoing habits. Fewer Catholics attend Mass regularly compared to past decades. Researchers say they will continue to monitor participation patterns, particularly among younger generations.
Ultimately, CARA’s study suggests that Catholic church attendance may remain steady in 2025, though further analysis will track whether the trend continues.
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