A virtual celebration of Religious Brothers Day will take place on May 1, 1 p.m. AND 7 p.m. Central Daylight Time, hosted by the Brothers Think Tank. All are welcome to both events. The Brothers Think Tank is composed of the NRVC, Religious Brothers Conference, Conference of Major Superiors of Men, and tReligious Formation Conference.  

Register for the 1 pm CDT event here and the 7 pm CDT event here.

All are urged to shine a spotlight on the community, lifestyle, and good works of brothers on May 1—through social media, events, prayer services, and more. Learn more about Religious Brothers Day and how to celebrate it here.

Behavioral Assessment 1 is among five workshops to be presented as part of the NRVC Summer Institute taking place this July at the Marillac Center in Leavenworth, Kansas. Behavioral Assessment 1 will be presented July 16-17 by Father Raymond P. Carey, Ph.D.  

This workshop will cover practical interviewing techniques in a theoretical framework of behavioral assessment. Interview topics include family background, educational and occupational histories, psychosexual histories and intimacy skills, faith history, Catholic practices, and other pertinent issues related to comprehensive vocation assessment. 

Details and registration are online for all our Summer Institute workshops:

Orientation Program for New Vocation Directors     
Ethical Issues in Vocation and Formation Ministry     
Behavioral Assessment 1
Health and Wellness Issues in Candidate Assessment
Being Human and Sexual: An Evolving Understanding

Both individuals and organizations are invited to become sponsors of the NRVC convocation, to take place October 31 - November 4 in Minneapolis. The NRVC is grateful to the many people and groups who are already supporting this important gathering of vocation ministers. Learn about sponsorship levels, including in-kind contributions, by contacting Phil Loftus, development director, at 312-318-0180 or ploftus@nrvc.net.

Sister Kathleen Branham, O.S.F. will be the next director of database administration for the National Religious Vocation Conference beginning May 13. The current director, Marge Argyelan, is retiring, although remaining on staff for an initial period.

 Sister Kathleen joins the NRVC leadership team as an active NRVC member with varied ministerial experiences, including service as an NRVC Member Area Coordinator for the Midwest since 2020.  Welcome, Sister Kathleen!

A major perk of membership in the National Religious Vocation Conference is the ability to network with and learn from other vocation ministers. Any member can attend any Member Area meeting. For details, contact your member area coordinator. 

Pacific Northwest— April 30 to May 2, In-person and Zoom
Heartland — April 30 to May 2, Atchison, KS
New England — May 2, via Zoom
Hudson Valley — May 5-7, Albany, NY
Lake Erie/Ohio River — May 9 via Zoom
Midwest — May 13 via Zoom
Southwest — May 14, via Zoom
Delaware Valley — June 22, Huntington Valley, PA

The NRVC has produced a vibrant new 16-page booklet to help vocation ministers better understand and engage with African American Catholics.  Learn more about this community and the best ways to encourage and sustain vocations to religious life. The colorful printed booklet may be ordered for only $5 each for members ($8 nonmembers).  Members also have the option to download the book in the Member Toolbox. The full title is "Transforming Religious Communities to be Antiracist and Culturally Inviting: Welcoming the Cultural Abundance of African American and Black Catholics."

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

The new study, "The Class of 2024: Survey of Ordinands to the Priesthood" provides an in-depth look at the men in religious institutes and dioceses  recently or about to be ordained. The survey was commissioned by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops and was produced by the Center for Applied Research in the Apostolate. Among other things, the report provides details on the approximately 66 religious-institute men scheduled to be ordained in 2024. Data about religious institute ordinands is presented alongside information about diocesan ordinands. See the report here.