The week leading up to Easter always humbles me and it has for years. As a Catholic, the Triduum is very important as it is the culmination of the weeks proceeding as we walk along with Jesus to Calvary. Consequently, many Catholics still feel an obligation to attend Holy Thursday (Mass of the Lord’s supper} and Good Friday Liturgy service to venerate the cross.

As I sat in church this year on Holy Thursday the pews were adequately populated. Good Friday Liturgy Service as sparse. However, years ago the church was filled with solemn church goers with barely a seat to be had. Is this an indication of a societal or spiritual breakdown where a faith-based life is no longer an important consideration?

We could ask the above question of Gen X and Gen Z it appears that many have fallen away and some are pursuing a different spiritual realm. So, in my opinion, what we have is a growing secular society. But, I believe this secular evolution has been happening for years and for various reasons.

Arguably, the exposition of the priest abuse that happened over a vast amount of years didn’t help. But, is this an excuse to leave the Catholic Church altogether or is it just an “out” for being an obligatory Catholic? I am thinking the latter. Not that I discount the heinous abuse; my heart goes out to the victims and I hope they find peace and healing.

Consequently, we see Catholics coming into the church. Seeing this fills one with a sense of hope for the future of Catholicism. What we really need to see is an upsurge of those coming home.

In a broad sense, the emptiness of the pews leaves the faithful discouraged. I am hopeful that through a myriad of devotions from the warriors in the pews or in the spiritual realm, we will see church attendance surge.