Across the country, a quiet revolution is taking place in parish pews: thousands of young people are turning away from modern secular culture in search of a profound, timeless encounter with the sacred.
Addressing this cultural shift on the Napa Institute’s Shepherd’s Circle Priest Podcast, Archbishop Salvatore Cordileone of San Francisco explained why the decade-old strategy of making the Church “look like the world” has ultimately failed — and what is actually drawing young souls back to the faith.
Known for his courageous public witness — from performing exorcisms at sites of desecrated statues to founding the Benedict XVI Institute to elevate sacred music — Archbishop Cordileone directly challenged the lingering post-conciliar notion that the Church must constantly modernize to stay appealing.
“This was a phrase we heard a lot: ‘Church has to catch up to the world and be more like the world because that's where the people are at so it can be relatable,’” Archbishop Cordileone recalled. “But as it turns out, we make ourselves irrelevant when we do that.”
As Father Michael Duffy of St. Agnes Cathedral of Rockville Centre, NY agreed, noting how young Catholics crave something distinctly set apart from a fractured secular culture, the Archbishop elaborated on the paradox of authentic evangelization:
“What's most relevant is what might seem to be irrelevant. What is most different? So that, yes, that does connect. The young people are desiring that — connecting them to something that is timeless.”
However, Archbishop Cordileone emphasized that sacred beauty alone is only half the equation; young people also long for authentic human connection. Pointing to initiatives like Manhattan's viral ‘Pews to Pizza’ gatherings — where young adults attend reverent Sunday evening Masses and gather afterward for food and fellowship — the prelate noted that the Church must combine ancient tradition with vibrant fraternity.
“They need to be part of a worshiping community,” he explained.
“They want to so look forward to Church because of the beauty of the liturgy, but also to be with their friends and worshiping with their friends. That's why you mentioned about the mega churches. They don't have the tradition that we do, that timelessness, but they're really good at building a sense of community. We need both in order to really evangelize people and root them deeply in their faith.”
In a culture hungry for depth, Archbishop Cordileone’s message offers a clear blueprint for the future of Catholic evangelization. By anchoring the faithful in the awe of timeless worship and welcoming them into a warm, inviting community, the Church does not need to compromise with the spirit of the age. Instead, by being unapologetically herself — offering both sacred beauty and true friendship — she becomes an irresistible sanctuary for a generation seeking truth, goodness, and a beautiful place to call home.