5 Reasons Why Catholic Underground NYC Is The Hottest Ticket For Young Adults (2025 Schedule Update)
The Catholic Underground in New York City is not a secret society, but a vibrant, monthly spiritual and cultural event that has become a powerful magnet for thousands of young Catholics in their 20s and 30s. Since its inception, this unique apostolate has successfully blended deep prayer with contemporary culture, creating a space where the Gospel is lived out in dialogue with modern life, a direct response to the call for a New Evangelization.
As of late December 2025, the Catholic Underground continues its mission, drawing massive crowds with its signature format: an intense Holy Hour followed by a dynamic cultural hour. Hosted by the legendary Franciscan Friars of the Renewal (CFR), the event offers a radical, counter-cultural experience that proves faith is anything but boring. The current location for this transformative gathering is Our Lady of Good Counsel in Manhattan, solidifying its place as a cornerstone of NYC's young adult Catholic community.
The Franciscan Vision: An Experience of the Church in Dialogue with Culture
The Catholic Underground is the brainchild of the Franciscan Friars of the Renewal, a community known for its commitment to serving the poor and its charismatic, street-level evangelization. Their vision for the Underground was to create an experience of the Church that was both sacred and culturally relevant, addressing the spiritual hunger of a generation often disillusioned with traditional church settings.
Inspired by the teachings of St. John Paul II on the New Evangelization, the Friars designed the event to be a two-part powerhouse. The first half is purely spiritual, focusing on the core of the Catholic faith, while the second half explodes with creative energy, showcasing Catholic artists who infuse their faith into modern art forms. This structure ensures that the event is anchored in prayer before it engages with the world.
The success of the New York City chapter has inspired similar "Underground" movements in other cities, but the NYC event remains the original and most influential, often drawing close to 700 attendees for a single night.
The Transformative Two-Part Event: From Adoration to Art
What makes the Catholic Underground so compelling is the dramatic shift between its two distinct phases. Attendees enter a sacred space, and two hours later, they are immersed in a vibrant, artistic environment.
Phase 1: The Holy Hour—Encountering the Sacred
The evening begins at 7:30 PM with the Holy Hour, a time of profound prayer and silence. This phase is the spiritual anchor of the entire event.
- Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament (Adoration): The heart of the Holy Hour, where the Eucharist is exposed for veneration. The silence and reverence of hundreds of young adults kneeling before Christ is often cited as the most powerful aspect of the night.
- Confession: Multiple Franciscan Friars of the Renewal are available to hear confessions, offering the Sacrament of Reconciliation to a continuous line of attendees.
- Homily/Reflection: A short, powerful reflection on the faith is given by one of the Friars, often focusing on themes relevant to young adult life in the city.
This intense period of prayer grounds the event, ensuring that the subsequent cultural celebration flows from a deep, authentic encounter with God. It is a powerful antidote to the fast-paced, secular environment of Manhattan.
Phase 2: The Cultural Hour—Faith in Full Color
Following the Holy Hour, the atmosphere completely transforms. The church space is often re-arranged, and the cultural hour begins, showcasing the diversity of Catholic artistic expression. This is where the "underground" feel truly comes alive, embracing a gritty, authentic energy that rejects the sterile image of institutional faith.
- Musical Guests: The music is a major draw. The event features diverse styles, from the powerful sounds of the St. Joseph Gospel Choir to the unique, faith-infused hip-hop of artists like Fr. Stan Fortuna, C.F.R. and the Catholic Underground Band. Other Friars, such as Fr. Tansi and Brother Isaiah, also contribute to the musical apostolate.
- Artistic Expression: The cultural hour is a broad platform that includes poetry, visual art exhibits, dance, film, and drama. The goal is to show that Christian faith can inspire and permeate all forms of contemporary art.
- Compline (Night Prayer): The evening concludes, as it began, with the official prayer of the Church, specifically Compline or Night Prayer, bringing the lively cultural hour back into a state of liturgical peace.
Current Location and The 2025/2026 Schedule
The Catholic Underground is a monthly occurrence, and its location has been a consistent hub for young adult ministry in the city. It is crucial to check the most up-to-date schedule, as dates can occasionally shift.
Location Details
For the 2025 and 2026 season, the New York City Catholic Underground is hosted at:
Our Lady of Good Counsel (OLGC)
230 East 90th St (between 2nd & 3rd)
New York, NY 10128 (Upper East Side, Manhattan)
Upcoming 2025/2026 Dates (7:30 PM – 10:00 PM)
The event is typically held on a Saturday evening once a month.
- January 11, 2025
- February 1, 2025
- March 1, 2025
- April 5, 2025
- May 3, 2025
- *Future dates for Fall 2025 and Spring 2026, including a mention of January 10, 2026, are typically announced on the Archdiocese of New York's young adult ministry pages and the Franciscan Friars' official channels.*
Clarifying the "Underground" Name: Not the Catacombs Tour
A common point of confusion for tourists and new residents is the difference between the Catholic Underground event and the actual underground Catholic burial sites in Manhattan. The name "Catholic Underground" refers to its counter-cultural, grassroots nature, not a subterranean location.
The actual underground Catholic space in NYC is the Catacombs beneath the Basilica of St. Patrick’s Old Cathedral in Lower Manhattan. This historical site is the only Catholic catacomb in New York City and is the final resting place for bishops, prominent New Yorkers, and historical figures. While a fascinating piece of New York Catholic history, the Catacombs Tour is a distinct, separate attraction from the monthly spiritual and cultural event hosted by the Franciscan Friars of the Renewal at Our Lady of Good Counsel.
The Impact: A Hub for NYC Young Adult Ministry
The Catholic Underground serves as a vital anchor for the broader NYC young adult Catholic ministry landscape. Its monthly gathering offers a communal experience that complements other local groups like Frassati Fellowship of NYC and the general Catholic NYC network.
By providing a consistent, high-energy, and deeply spiritual event, the Franciscan Friars of the Renewal foster a sense of community and belonging. The event is a powerful tool for topical authority in faith-based cultural engagement, proving that traditional Catholic practices like Adoration and Confession can thrive in a modern, urban setting. It encourages young adults to build virtuous friendships and take their faith seriously, making it a truly transformative night out in the city.
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