After a three-year break due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Detroit Mass Mobs will resume with their 52nd event at Our Lady Queen of Angels Church in Detroit on June 25. Thomas Mann, one of the original organizers, expressed that there is still strong enthusiasm for the movement, driven by the demand that has accumulated over the past three years. The Detroit Mass Mobs have garnered a dedicated following, with 20,000 followers on their Facebook pages.

The Detroit Mass Mobs began in early 2014, inspired by a similar initiative in Buffalo. Annamarie Barnes organized the first local Mass Mob at St. Hyacinth, aiming to support inner-city parishes and revitalize attendance. The idea quickly gained traction and spread to other cities, including Rochester and Detroit, where the rich history and cultural significance of the churches provided a compelling backdrop for these gatherings.

Mann joined Barnes and a committed team to promote and organize the Detroit Mass Mobs, which took place at over 50 historic churches in the city. The aim was to help these inner-city parishes increase attendance and financial contributions. The movement serves as a reminder of the community's heritage and the integral role played by their ancestors in building these cherished churches. Through the Detroit Mass Mobs, over $625,000 has been raised through direct offerings during the Masses, and additional donations have been generated through increased awareness.

Each Detroit Mass Mob event was designated with a Roman numeral, starting with Mass Mob I at St. Hyacinth. The program continued to grow, with numerous churches in Detroit hosting Mass Mobs, some even hosting multiple events. The upcoming Mass Mob at Our Lady Queen of Angels will be Mass Mob LII, marking the 52nd event.

While other cities have discontinued their Mass Mob gatherings, Detroit has surpassed them in terms of the number of events held. Mann emphasizes the breathtaking beauty of Detroit's historic churches and the transformative experience of seeing them filled with worshippers. The Detroit Mass Mobs have rekindled the faith of individuals who had previously drifted away, with some returning to the Church due to their participation in these events.

Mann encourages newcomers to familiarize themselves with the Detroit Mass Mob concept by watching videos on the organization's website. He expects attendance at the 2023 Mass Mobs to steadily increase, as was observed in 2014. The first event at St. Hyacinth attracted around 150 attendees in a 700-seat church, primarily through word-of-mouth and social media. With Mann's involvement in promotions and media coverage, the second Mass Mob at St. Charles Borromeo saw an increase in both social media mentions and attendance.

As for future Mass Mobs beyond June 25, Mann has been approached by pastors interested in hosting them. Although a schedule has not been released yet, Mann is considering these requests and plans to announce future Masses at a later date. He acknowledges the contributions of his team members, including webmaster Anthony Battaglia, photographer Diane Dawson Wilks, and consultants Jeff Stawasz and John Kevin Bentley.