Did you know that, as of 2025, only about 14% of U.S. Catholics read the Bible outside of church at least once a week?

That number has only gone down over the decades.

And according to the American Bible Society’s State of the Bible reports, about 50–60% of U.S. Catholics fall into the ‘Bible Disengaged’ category — meaning they rarely or never interact with the Bible on their own.

If you've spent any time among Protestants, though, you'll know what I mean when I say: They really know their Bible.

Whenever I went to a Christian summer camp as a child, there was always an emphasis on memorizing Bible verses. The counselors rewarded us for reciting verses we'd committed to memory.

But at my Catholic summer camps, we only memorized a few well-known verses by putting them to song.

How is it that our separated Christian brothers and sisters—who hold to a smaller canon of Scripture—often seem to know the Bible better than we do?

And how can we Catholics bring about a revival in reading Scriptures?

What the Numbers Reveal About Catholic Bible Reading

Unfortunately, the statistics with which I began this article aren't exaggerated.

• About 88% of American households own a Bible.
• The average American house contains three Bibles.

Yet...

• Only 14% of American Catholics read the Word of God, not even every day, but once a week.
• By contrast, 52% of U.S. Evangelical Protestants report reading scripture outside of services at least once a week.
• About 37% of Evangelical Protestants rarely or never read the Bible outside of services, as opposed to the 50-60% of Catholics who don't.

These numbers reveal more than a statistic — they show a spiritual gap that runs deep in the Catholic Church today.

But do most Catholics care? Do they understand the importance of Sacred Scripture outside of Holy Mass?

Why Bible Reading Matters for Catholics

Protestants have always placed a larger emphasis on the Bible because they operate on the "sola fide" principle that faith alone is enough for salvation. And without a liturgy and tradition like Catholics have, all of their belief is contained in the Bible.

Catholics, on the other hand, combine faith and works to reach Heaven. Our beliefs are anchored in the Bible and tradition.

Just because our faith isn't based solely on the Bible doesn't mean we should view it as any less important. The Sacred Scriptures contain invaluable history, doctrines, and, most incredibly, the direct words of Our Savior.

Encountering Jesus Through Scripture

Through the divinely inspired books of the New Testament, Jesus shares with us parables, rules, and encouragement.

He takes us along with Him, from His conception and birth to His passion and resurrection. These stories give us an intimate look into the life of Jesus: His personality, His preaching, His familiarity with His disciples.

The Bible is also an endless source of comfort and strength in difficult times. In the grand stories of the saints and prophets of old, we find inspiration and encouragement; throughout the holy chapters, we receive gentle comfort and assurance.

Not reading the Bible is like declining a gift from Our Lord Himself.

From Reading to Understanding: Growing in Biblical Knowledge

Simply reading the Bible isn't enough, though.

We must seek to understand it in order to live it out and let it shape our Christian character.

It's one thing to quote verses, but another to explain their meaning.

This is difficult for anyone but a Bible scholar to learn on their own. That's why the Church gives us:

• Sermons every Sunday
• Bible commentaries
• Catechism classes
• Bible studies

Resources like these help us break down and better comprehend the Word of God.

If you’re unsure where to start, the Gospels and Psalms are perfect entry points for deepening your relationship with Christ through Scripture.

Reclaiming the Bible as a Catholic

St. Athanasius sums up the essence of the Bible quite eloquently:

“The almighty and most holy Word of the Father pervades the whole of reality, everywhere unfolding his power and shining on all things visible and invisible.”

The Bible is crucial to our Catholic faith, and it's time we started treating it as such.

I want to hear the next generation say, "Those Catholics-they really know their Bible."

I want us to be the ones who come to mind whenever someone thinks about the Bible.

It's time for a revival.

And you can be a part of it.

Will you commit to reading the Bible once a week? Or, even better, daily?

How to Start Reading the Bible Daily

For my part, I'm partaking in the "Bible in a Year" plan this year, which provides a chronological, day-by-day plan for reading the entire Bible in a year. If you want to participate in it this upcoming year, press here to learn more. Or, follow Fr. Mike Schmitz's podcast, where he provides commentary on each daily reading.

Yes, faith without works is dead. But faith without the Bible is blind.

Let’s be the generation that not only rediscovers the Word of God, but lives it.