The Twentysomething Soul

When it comes to non-affiliated Americans (or the “nones”), no group has received as much attention and sociological scrutiny as young adults, who have registered the highest rates of disengagement from institutional religion.

There have been a range of explanations as to why this young generation has tuned out religious institutions—from some denominations’ involvement in politics to the growth of social media and the Internet.

But then how does one account for a young Catholic like Maria, a 22-year-old graduate student in Texas? She is active in her parish’s young adult group and faithfully attends Mass at other churches where she works. She joined the strict Catholic lay order Opus Dei, where she has a spiritual director and attends a catechesis class for women.

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