The National Religious Vocation Conference (NRVC) hosted its annual Member Area Coordinator Gathering from September 15 to 18, 2025, at the Carmelite Spiritual Center in Darien, Illinois. The event, rooted in the Convocation 2026 theme “Bearers of Hope/Portadores de Esperanza/SứGiảHy Vọng,” united coordinators from across the United States for inspiration, strategic dialogue, and spiritual renewal.

Thought-provoking brainstorming sessions followed, and coordinators participated in video recording sessions for the “Walking Humbly Together” video series, sharing collective wisdom and perspectives that will shape upcoming NRVC initiatives. The gathering concluded with renewed energy, a strengthened sense of mission, and a unified vision for the future of religious vocations. 

NRVC is grateful to the Conrad N. Hilton Foundation for funding this gathering and the "Walking Humbly Together" video series.

National Vocation Awareness Week (November 2-8) is an annual week-long celebration of the Catholic Church in the United States to promote vocations to ordained ministry and consecrated life through prayer, invitation, and education, renewing our support and hope for those considering a call to religious life.

For helpful resources, ideas, and tools to help cultivate what’s possible, please visit us here. For social media posts, please use the hashtags #NVAW or #NationalVocationAwarenessWeek.

Good news! Now you can use our national office phone line (773-363-5454) to TEXT the NRVC, and international members can connect with us on WhatsApp. Reach out and let us know what we can do for you – we are just a call or text away.

We are excited to announce that our Summer Institute participants have chosen a Convocation logo to beautifully complement our inspiring theme selected by the National Board: Bearers of Hope/Portadores de Esperanza/Sứ Giả Hy Vọng. Join us as we celebrate this spirit of hope together! Mark your calendars to attend Convocation in Orlando, Florida, next year, November 19-23, 2026!

Plans are underway to select presenters, and many levels of sponsorship are available. We kindly encourage you to consider supporting the NRVC as we continue to create a culture of encounter and accompaniment that showcases the vitality of religious life throughout the year.

We welcome your support and questions by contacting Sister Debbie at debbiesscm@nrvc.net.

Among our five workshops, we especially recommend our Virtual Orientation Program for New Vocation Directors (October 6-10), a foundational workshop for all newly appointed vocation directors and teams. This workshop is integral to the Foundation Core Component of our Curriculum for Vocation Ministers, which we recommend all vocation ministers complete early on in their ministry as part of their professional development.

Other foundational workshops include:

October 15-17 Virtual Behavioral Assessment 1 workshop

October 29-30 Virtual Ethical Issues in Candidate Assessment workshop

As an incentive to participate in the Virtual Ethical Issues in Candidate Assessment workshop, all registrants can invite one member of their congregational leadership to participate for free by including their name, mailing address, email address, telephone number, and position in the Notes/Comments field when registering.

We also recommend the following key workshops:

October 13, Understanding the Lasting Impact of Childhood Trauma and Adverse Childhood Experiences on Candidates for Religious Life

October 14, 21, and 28 (only Tuesdays), Culture Matters: Are We Listening with Today's Discerners

If you have any questions, please feel free to connect with Sr. Dina Bato, SP, at dinasp@nrvc.net or 773-363-5454.

Are we intentional and deliberate in our mission to invite young people of various or diverse cultures to journey with us? This reflection booklet provides a framework for religious institutes and organizations that support vocation ministry to ask difficult questions to welcome and celebrate the cultural abundance of African American and Black Catholics in religious life.

This colorful 16-page booklet is $5 for members and $8 for non-members.

Sister Corrina Thomas, F.S.P.A. is one of four new NRVC Board members as of September 2025. At this time in her life, she's at a crossroads space because she's moving out of her current position as a formator into another beautiful, sacred space of sabbatical time. Read more...

Collaborate and give and receive support in your vocation ministry. NRVC members are invited to log in to Member Area News  to see what is happening in their area or to contact their Member Area coordinator.

Mid-Atlantic: October 6, 2025, "Pray, Walk, Eat" at Catholic University

West Coast: October 14, 2025, Zoom gathering

Midwest: October 18, 2025. "Candidate Assessment through the Lens of Interculturality," Frankfort, IL

Southeast: November 6, 2025, Zoom gathering

International: November 10, 2025, Zoom gathering. "Vocation Ministry: Living in Hope" with Sister Gemma Simmonds, C.S.J.

Delaware Valley: November 11, 2025, Zoom gathering 

Check out news about our collaborators: large Catholic gatherings, resources, classes, retreats, and more.