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.

NRVC extends heartfelt gratitude to Mr. Len Uhal as he completes seven remarkable years of dedicated service on our National Board at the September meeting in Chicago. Having been elected Vice Chair of Finance and Development in the spring of 2023, Len finished his leadership tenure in the spring of 2025, selflessly offering to serve an additional year to provide stability and guidance when it was most needed.

Throughout his Board service, Len distinguished himself as Chair of the Development Committee and as the NRVC Board representative on the NFCRV Board. He also contributed significantly, most recently as Chair of the Finance Committee, earning recognition for his steadfast and willing leadership. At Convocation 2024, Len served as a facilitator with Friar Mario Serrano, OFM Conv.

Len’s leadership with NRVC began in 2015 as Heartland Member Area Coordinator, and his contributions have continued to grow in significance. Thank you, Len, for your unwavering commitment, inspiring leadership, and the lasting impact you will leave on the National Board!

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.

The annual 2024 CARA Entrance Class report presents the findings of 362 women and men who formally entered 123 religious institutes, a significant increase from 2023, when 279 women and men formally entered 99 religious institutes. Among these institutes, 43% are smaller-sized (fewer than 50 professed members), 40% are medium-sized (51-150 professed members), and 17% are larger-sized (more than 151 professed members).

Read this study along with links to research on the 2025 CARA Study on the Impact of Mary, Mother of the Church, on Ecclesial Vocations, 2025 COMO EN CASA: A Summary Report of Findings from the Study of Latina/o College Students in Catholic Campus Ministries, and 2024 CARA Study on the Vietnamese Eucharistic Youth Movement (VEYM): Impact on Faith Life and Vocational Discernment.

God, Grant Me a Discerning Heart, Discerner's Journal, contains 14 themes with scripture reflection, quotes from Vatican II and Church Documents, as well as reflection questions. This resource is intended for use by inquirers who want more in-depth conversation and assessment in discernment. 

The discerner's journal is $8 for members, $12 for non-members. 

The NRVC is offering another opportunity to take "Candidate Assessment Through the Lens of Interculturality," by Crystal Taylor-Dietz, Psy.D. from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m in the following location:

September 6, San Antonio, TX

October 18,  Frankfort, IL

The workshop will explore how to assess candidates from different cultures, taking into account distinct norms and expressions, possible trauma, and more. One focus will be on how to respectfully gather information without stereotyping, generalizing, or minimizing behaviors of concern. The workshop will also explore possible blind spots and biases that can creep into assessment.

Thanks to a grant from the Conrad N. Hilton Foundation, this workshop is available to NRVC members and their community members for only $25. Learn more and register here.

Mark your calendars to promote vocations at the National Catholic Youth Conference (NCYC) in Indianapolis November 20-22. NCYC is a three-day immersive experience of prayer, community, evangelization, and service sponsored by the National Federation for Catholic Youth Ministry (NFCYM). Over 10,000 high school teens, parents, and youth ministers from across the country will gather at the Indiana Convention Center and Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis around the theme, "I Am | Yo Soy."  

In collaboration with NFCYM, the NRVC invites its members to celebrate the Catholic faith and promote vocations by volunteering in its T-shirt swap in the Interactive Exhibit Hall. Details about the conference and the T-shirt swap can be found here. 

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