Religious from around the world greeted Pope Francis enthusiastically during their audience with him on February 1. Photo courtesy of the Vatican YouTube channel.

I was privileged to attend the International Meeting on Consecrated Life, sponsored by the Congregation for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life (CICLSAL) and held at the Vatican from January 28 to February 2.

Gathering under the theme of “Consecrated life in Unity,” more than 5,000 men and women religious (apostolic and cloistered), consecrated seculars, virgins, and hermits came from all corners of the globe to celebrate with Pope Francis the closing of the Year of Consecrated Life.

The conference opened with a beautiful Prayer Vigil in St. Peter’s Basilica featuring the Vatican Choir. While most general sessions where held in the Paul VI Audience Hall with simultaneous translation in six languages, there were opportunities for individual forms of consecrated life (apostolic/monastic men, cloistered nuns, consecrated virgins, and consecrated seculars) to meet in their own groups for talks and discussion. Mass was said in various languages in churches throughout the city for the participants.

The highlight, of course, was the audience with the Holy Father, on February 1. His entrance into the hall was met with thunderous applause and cheers, which he clearly enjoyed. While he did have a prepared statement, he put it aside and instead chose, as he said, “to speak from the heart.” The three themes the pope touched upon were prophesy, proximity, and hope. He said our fidelity to the vow of obedience with a loving heart is in and of itself a prophetic witness. He encouraged those present to be in proximity, in other words, to be close to the sufferings of Christians and non-Christians alike. Finally, he asked us never to give up on hope, especially with vocations. The Holy Father spoke about his personal pain he feels about the lack of vocations to consecrated life. While prayer needs to be foremost, he also said that congregations should not be tempted to just accept anyone because of fewer numbers. (See video and a report of this event here. Find the full video here.)

Pope Francis officially closed the Year of Consecrated Life on February 2, the Feast of the Presentation and the day the Church celebrates World Day of Consecrated Life, with a special Mass at St. Peter’s. There were so many people eager to attend, the Basilica was filled to capacity with an overflow of approximately 4,000 people in St. Peter’s Square who watched the Mass on large screen TVs. (See the report and written homily here. See it on video here.)

I left Rome truly inspired and even more convinced of the valuable gift that consecrated life brings to the Church and the world. Habited and non-habited, apostolic and cloistered, young and old, I dare say that we all felt a oneness and solidarity in our common commitment.

On a personal level, to be with other consecrated men and women from around the globe, to experience the diversity of their charisms and lifestyles, and to witness their enthusiasm and love for this unique form of discipleship, I truly felt that I was part of something greater beyond my own congregation and country. I, like the other participants, am part of a legacy integral to the Church for centuries while standing on the shoulders of the millions of women and men who have gone before us and who lived and died by their vows.

God’s grace is abundant! I gave and continue to give thanks to God for this goodness, for the gift of our vocations, and for the many men and women who discern this life with us. Deo gratias! 

The 2016 National Catholic Sisters Week (NCSW) takes place March 8-14. Organizers expect more than 124 events to commemorate the week. For details on how people are celebrating and resources for marking the week, go to nationalcatholicsistersweek.org.

NRVC collaborated with NCSW to create "Movie Night in a Box" to present to the 50 best College Newman Centers in the United States. (See them here.)

NRVC donated 50 copies of its DVD "Religious Life: Absolutely Millennial!" to the boxes, which included popcorn and candy, along with a letter and stat sheet on vocations to religious life. The invitation letter invited campus ministers to show the video and have a discussion during National Catholic Sisters Week.

This targeted approach is a new outreach to Catholic college students at public universities that have active and publicly recognized Newman Centers to learn more about vocations. This video, along with other NRVC resources, can be purchased at nrvc.net.

Religious communities have until March 15 to apply for the NRVC Vocation Ambassadors program, which begins with a workshop June 10-13. The program–an effort to equip young adults to serve as ambassadors for religious–is free, thanks to the sponsorship of the Conrad N. Hilton Foundation. Teams composed of communicators, vocation ministers, and young adults must commit to 100 hours of participation.

The three goals of the June Share the Sacred workshop are:

• To enhance communication skills to develop a consistent message about vocations to religious life as a viable option in the Catholic Church;
• To understand a comprehensive approach to promote all forms of religious life while encouraging inquirers and seekers to learn more about your spirituality, mission, core values, and charism of your religious institute; and
• To create a collaborative communications strategic plan for vocations.

The expectation of a collaborative communications strategic plan for vocations includes developing media content to promote all of religious life, (not just for the particular religious institutes selected to attend this program). This will benefit NRVC by providing new and relevant resources on a regular and ongoing basis.

With a forum for teams to share ideas and media materials with NRVC, which in turn can share them with members, this Vocation Ambassador program has potential to impact a wide audience. Downloadable resources, for instance, can be made available to all NRVC members.

Click here for details and an application form.

Members of the committee that helped design Vocation Ambassadors included religious, lay communicators, and young adults.

All NRVC members and members of their religious institutes are welcomed to the vocation space sponsored by NRVC at World Youth Day (WYD) in Krakow, Poland, this summer from July 25-30. NRVC has been working collaboratively with the Knights of Columbus, Canadian Salt + Light TV, and Holy Cross Family Ministries in hosting the English-language pavilion.

Since one of the primary themes of the pavilion is vocation, NRVC will provide a warm, inviting environment for pilgrims to meet and speak individually or in groups with a religious or priest. This is a wonderful opportunity to be present and to give witness to the vitality of religious life to young pilgrims from around the world!

Please note that anyone who joins us in the Vocation Café must be registered as a WYD pilgrim. No one without proper credentials will be admitted to the pavilion.

To register as a WYD pilgrim, please click here.

Also, to be clear, the Vocation Café is not the same as the official Vocations Center, which is traditionally featured at all World Youth Days. If you would like further information on how your religious institute may rent a booth at the Vocations Center, click here.

More concrete details about how to register for the Vocation Café, the program, and other pertinent information will be forthcoming.

UPDATE: Click here to sign up for times to be part of the NRVC's Vocation Korner at the Tauron Pavillion in Krakow.  

Brother Kevin Piper, S.C. smiles following his profession to be a Brother of the Sacred Heart. Photo courtesy of the Catholic Commentator.

From February 12-13, NRVC hosted the first planning committee meeting for the National Symposium on the Vocation of the Religious Brother to be held at the University of Notre Dame in 2017.

This symposium is a collaborative effort among the Conference of Major Superiors of Men (CMSM), NRVC, the Religious Formation Conference (RFC), and the Religious Brothers Conference (RBC). It is in response to the recently released Vatican document, "Identity and Mission of the Religious Brother in the Church."

NRVC is grateful to CMSM for spearheading this important project.

Vocation directors have until March 15 to request help with education debt of candidates. Learn all the details of these grants and how to request them at NFCRV.org (National Fund for Catholic Religious Vocations).

If your community has plans for special liturgies, study, prayer, or events in honor of the Year of Mercy, let the VISION editors know. Please send a brief email summarizing what is happening to VISION Content Editor Carol Schuck Scheiber at cscheiber@nrvc.net or call 567-288-2255.

Region 2 (NY)

March 8, 2016, Beacon, NY
Presenter: Sister Jean McLoughlin, S.S.N.D.
Theme: Lenten Day of Prayer for Vocation Personnel
For more information, click here.

Region 4 (DC, MD, DE, VA, WV)

March 2, 2016, North Beach, MD
May 3-4, Bon Secours Retreat and Conference Center, Marriottsville, MD

Region 5  (KY, TN, AL, LA, MS)

March 7, 2016,  New Orleans, LA
For more information, click here.

Region 11  (CA, NV, HI)

March 9, 2016  Oakland, CA
"Tenacity and Resiliency in Vocation Ministry." Presenter Sister Deborah Borneman, SS.C.M.

March 15, 2016, Bellflower, CA

Remaining regions

For all region meeting dates and minutes, see the "Members Only" section under the "Membership" tab of nrvc.net.

At regional meetings, NRVC members have an opportunity for learning, support, and ongoing collaboration with other religious institutes.

NRVC is making it easy for members to find email announcements. Pictured here are former board member Sister Elsa Garcia, C.D.P. (foreground) and Sister Josita Colbert, S.N.D.deN.

It's easy to delete or lose emails. With that in mind, NRVC is now making available all broadcast emails to members in the "Members only" section of nrvc.net.

Recover emailed NRVC announcements by clicking on "News and Updates from the NRVC National Office."

Friar Ian Bremar, O.F.M. Conv. is part of the Profession Class of 2014.

New reports by the Center for Applied Research in the Apostolate (CARA) document the latest trends in new membership to religious orders.

Find the latest information about who is entering religious life, what drew them, what influenced them in college, and more at the following links:

Profession Class 2015 study     

Meet the Class of 2015

College experiences of women religious

Who entered religious communities in 2015

Global Sisters Report story on who entered religious communities in 2015

College students taking part in Busy Person's Retreats can use this colorful booklet with 17 themes. They can choose from eight scripture choices and a variety of reflection questions. Themes include: All About Mary, Balancing Sports & Fitness with Faith and Studies, Caring for God's Creation, Christian Leadership on Campus, Eradicating Global Poverty, Following the Voice of the Spirit, Growing through Failure, Inviting God into Decision Making, Praying in Times of Stress, Praying with Music, Promoting Global Peacemaking, Relationships, Time Management, Transitions, Seeking Solitude, Vocation Discernment, and Women in Scripture. $1 each for members; $1.50 each for non-members. Buy it online.

LCWR publishing book of reflections

The Leadership Conference of Women Religious (LCWR) presents a new book, Avanti!, a reflection resource for the spiritual journey. Avanti, the Italian word for “forward,” was a central focus in the address delivered by LCWR president Sister Sharon Holland, I.H.M. at the 2015 LCWR assembly. Avanti! is a collection of personal reflections written by 30 LCWR members. The book is $6, plus shipping and handling, and it must be pre-ordered by March 11. There are discounts for orders of 10+. Visit lcwr.org to order. For details contact Carol Glidden at cglidden@lcwr.org, 301-588-4955.

National Catholic Sisters Week

Organizers of National Catholic Sisters Week remind vocation directors to post their events for March 8-14 on the website, nationalcatholicsistersweek.org.

Also, vocation directors are encouraged to check out the online resources for Sunday-specific intercessions for March. Those who minister in parishes are encouraged to make use of these resources. Click here to find the intercessions (scroll to the bottom of the page).

Canadian vocation organization holding conference

All persons who are passionate about creating a vocation culture in Canada are invited to attend the conference of the National Association of Vocation/Formation Directors April 25-28 in Winnipeg, Manitoba. The theme will be "Live the Word Courageously: New Voices in Vocation Culture." The keynote speakers will be Father Scott Lewis, S.J. and Sister Amy Hereford, C.S.J.

To register, visit vocations.ca. Sponsored by the National Association of Vocation/Formation Directors (NAVFD). Contact navfdco@gmail.com for further information.

CMSWR course for Spanish-speaking sisters; leadership forum for young women

The Council of Major Superiors of Women Religious (CMSWR) will offer the summer course, “Spouses of Christ, Daughters of the Church” (Esposas de Cristo, Hijas de la Iglesia) June 27-July 8 at the Pax Christi Retreat Center in Corpus Christi, Texas. Enrollment is open to any Spanish-speaking women religious serving in the United States.

For more information, see www.cmswr.org or e-mail EsposasdeCristo@cmswr.org.

In addition, CMSWR is sponsoring "GIVEN: the Catholic Young Women's Leadership Forum," June 7-12 at Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C.

This event will bring together 300 rising leaders, selected by application, with religious and lay leaders for a full-scholarship, week-long immersion in faith formation, leadership skills training, and networking. Speakers will include: law professor Helen Alvaré, Catholic Relief Services President Dr. Carolyn Woo, and singer songwriter Audrey Assad.

Applications for a full scholarship are at www.givenforum.org. This event is supported by the Conrad N. Hilton Foundation.

RFC offering "ForMission" in June

Applications are being accepted by the Religious Vocation Conference for "ForMission," a two-year formation program for formators. The program consists of four week-long intensive sessions at various locations throughout the U.S. The first session of the class of 2018 will be June 8-16, 2016 at Catholic Theological Union in Chicago. For more information, click here. Call the RFC national office for an application packet: 202-827-4562.

Religious Brothers Conference to hold assembly

The Religious Brothers Conference will hold its 45th annual assembly July 23-26 at the Siena Center in Racine, Wisconsin. Brothers from all communities are welcome to attend. The theme will be "The Brother in the Year of Mercy," and the keynote speakers will be Sister Barbara Reid, O.P. and Brother Steve Bevans, S.V.D., both of whom are on the faculty of Catholic Theological Union in Chicago. For more information, see todaysbrother.com.

St. Luke's Institute offers course

Father David Songy, O.F.M. Cap., S.T.D., Psy.D., president of Saint Luke Institute, will present a continuing education workshop, “Ethical Implications of Psychological Treatment and Evaluation of Catholic Clients,” for psychologists, therapists, and vocation and formation directors. The workshop will be offered in-person (March 10, near Washington, DC) and online (April 13). Participants receive three hours of continuing-education credits. Find details at sli.org or contact Beth Davis, director of education, at sliconnect@sli.org or 502-632-2471.

Catholics on Call hosts summer, fall events

The Catholics on Call Young Adult Conference will take place August 3-6 at Catholic Theological Union in Chicago. Learn more about this ministry-discernment event here.

The Partner Conference for Catholics on Call will take place September 15-16 and is open to religious institutes that are partners to the program. Learn about partnership and the September event here.

Holy Land Retreat, Biblical Studies Program at CTU

Catholic Theological Union in Chicago is sponsoring a Holy Land Retreat in May 2016 and a Biblical Studies Program in August and October. Learn more at ctu.edu. Click on "Programs & Centers," then "Biblical Study/Travel."

You were the NRVC excutive director for 10 years (1992-2002). What are you doing now as a lifetime member of NRVC?

Presently I am a full-time facilitator and consultant working with religious congregations of women and men, as well as with dioceses and the Leadership Conference of Women Religious.  

How do you currently live out your commitment to vocations?

As a woman religious who is committed to this way of life, and working with those who are as well, how can I not be attuned to supporting ongoing efforts in looking to the future–especially regarding potential new members? 

Though the sands of this ministry have shifted and changed greatly over the years, I continue to believe that religious life is a viable and valuable option in our church and world. As I work with many congregations, vocations is an area of great impact on the viability of a community.

What have you found most rewarding about vocation ministry?

Connections and relationships! First of all the potential candidates themselves, though challenging at times, are for the most part inspiring, and often I find myself in awe when people share their experience of God and their profound desire to serve God’s people. It is a serious responsibility and also a great privilege to be in relationship with those who are discerning this way of life and to support those who are supporting their exploration.

A close second to this would be the opportunities for collaboration that were part of the ongoing experience in my time with NRVC–the National Conference of Diocesan Vocation Directors (NCDVD), the leadership conferences of women and men, the bishops' conference, the Religious Formation Conference, National Coalition for Church Vocations (now closed), Serra International, J.S. Paluch, international vocation conferences, and the list could go on and on. I know that presently NRVC is adding to this list.

Finally this ministry truly challenged me to attend to what was going on within me in my response to God and God’s people. I often quote what I once read in a constitution of a men’s community: “May we never speak least about what matters most.” I cannot speak from a place of integrity if I am not engaged in an ongoing effort to integrate that which matters most.