Exploring volunteering of committed young Catholics

This article reports on a study of volunteer levels of Catholics from various World regions who attended an international youth Catholic festival. Volunteering levels, types of volunteering, reason for volunteering, Catholic group membership and pro-social values are analysed. An online survey was administered five months after the Festival to 3413 English speaking attendees, aged 15–35. Interviews were conducted with 49 people prior to attending the festival. Follow-up interviews were conducted with 36 participants shortly after the Festival. Volunteering level was related significantly to Catholic group membership and pro-social values. Those who volunteered for social concern reasons undertook more volunteer hours than who volunteered for self-oriented reasons. Results also illuminate the mechanisms through which membership of different types of Catholic groups relate to levels and type of volunteering, with those belonging to a Helping group undertaking more volunteer time than those belonging to a Religious or Social group