ORLANDO  |  A teen seeking truth. A mother inspired by her children. A relationship that led to an encounter with the Mass.

These are the personal testimonies of faith from this year’s record-breaking group of 941 catechumens. They are as rich and vibrant as the elect themselves.

Due to the large number of catechumens, the Rite of Election was celebrated for the first time with three different liturgies across the diocese — Annunciation Parish in Altamonte Springs, St. Joseph Parish in Winter Haven, and the Basilica of the National Shrine of Mary, Queen of the Universe in Orlando.

“(We are) definitely seeing the Holy Spirit working throughout our parishes, in the ministries of our parishes, (and) reaching those hearts that are longing for the Lord,” said Luis Nieves, diocesan director of Pastoral Ministry and Family Life.

Jadiel G., age 17, from Sts. Peter and Paul Parish in Winter Park, was drawn to the Catholic Church because he was searching for truth.

“I was looking for the truth. I’ve always been somebody that’s very truth-seeking,” he said.

He felt the Catholic Church fully embraced the truth revealed in Scripture and tradition and did not cherry pick its doctrines.

“Something I’ve always felt is that when people are picking denominations, they treat it as a personality quiz,” he added. “But, in reality, God is not somebody that is an accessory to who you are.”

Marty McClain, adult and family faith formation director at Sts. Peter and Paul Parish, sees firsthand Gen Z’s sincere desire to seek the truth.

“We have the truth of Jesus Christ. I encounter a lot of high school students and young adults who are tired of the way of the world,” he said. “They’re tired of being lied to, and they’re searching for the truth. Some of them have been on a multi-year journey looking for that truth, and they’ve discovered the truth exists in only one place in the entire world, and that is the Catholic Church.”

As a teen, Jadiel contends with the daily allure and temptations that social media presents.

“Social media is this very toxic, encapsulating entity, this thing that holds people’s attention all the time,” he said. “They can’t see anything outside of it.”

Cultivating friendships offline takes time, but through the relationships that are built, one can share their faith and love of Christ with others.

“The ultimate goal shouldn’t be let me convert them but let me (be) a good friend,” he said.

After re-examining his faith and encountering personal tribulations over the past year, John Moffett was ready to embrace Christ once again. When someone from his MBA program invited him to participate in the celebration of Mass at St. James Cathedral in Orlando, he decided to take a leap of faith.

Coming from a non-denominational, evangelical background, Moffett was moved by the Christian witness of those within the parish community.

“Seeing how authentically everybody lives out their lives in the service of Christ’s kingdom and how authentically everybody reflects this love (has) been huge,” he said.

Eager to be nourished by the Sacraments, Moffett looks forward to being initiated into the Catholic Church at the Easter Vigil.

“These holy mysteries that are given to us, they’re an infinite well of knowledge that Christ gives us little bits at a time, and I’m just excited to live them out and continue to grow deeper in them and grow deeper in relationship with Him through them.”

For Tabbetha Derouen, her children acted as a catalyst for her spiritual journey. She wanted “to provide a strong moral foundation and allow (her children) to grow a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.” While different churches claim to offer the fullness of truth, she “began to really feel the true presence of Christ in the Catholic Church.”

Derouen recognized conversion “is a change of heart, mind, and way of living. We are all looking for truth, goodness, and beauty and I began to realize all of these things are found in the Eucharist.” As she prepares to enter the Church at St. Mary Parish in Rockledge, attending formation classes has provided her the opportunity for personal growth and to prepare herself to receive the Sacraments of Initiation.

“As I seek the Lord’s heart, I now know it requires my whole life,” she said.

Kyle Casey started attending Mass with his now fiancé approximately five years ago. Her family had “such a strong conviction in their faith” and actively lived out their faith in everything they did. While they never asked him to become Catholic, seeing their witness and love of the faith inspired him to attend Mass, which proved to be a “moving experience.” But just being able to attend Mass wasn’t enough for him because he still didn’t feel “fully” a part of the Catholic community. So, he took the next step and enrolled in classes to learn all aspects of the Church.

Going through the Order of Christian Initiation for Adults or OCIA at Holy Name of Jesus Parish in Indialantic has prepared Casey to enter the Church with a real knowledge of “everything the Church has to offer.” He said “being able to have a group around me that’s also going through the same process” has fostered an understanding and caring environment.

Casey recommends anyone who is looking into Catholicism but hesitant to convert, meet with the OCIA leader at their local parish.

“Things will just kind of fall into place from there, (and) it’s hard to not get that feeling that … it’s the right thing to do once you commit to the process,” he said.

Deacon David Sorondo from St. Ann Parish in DeBary described the Rite of Election as a time when “the community welcomes people who have been on a journey to find a deeper relationship with Jesus and (begin) their final steps into coming into full communion with the Catholic Church.”

Lynda Monckton, parishioner of Nativity Parish in Longwood, said as each parish journeys alongside their catechumens “our hope for them, of course, is, not only to join the Catholic Church, but to become very active members of the Catholic Church, to become fully involved in the parish.”

As the Diocese continues to grow, Bishop John Noonan prays the faithful of Central Florida will continue to grow in their faith, get more involved in their faith, and “above all, to become part of a community of faith.”

By Lucas Blackwell of the Florida Catholic staff, February 26, 2026