The NRVC is promoting vocations at NCYC!

The National Catholic Youth Conference (NCYC) is a biennial three-day experience of prayer, community, evangelization, catechesis, and service, sponsored by the National Federation for Catholic Youth Ministry (NFCYM). Over 16,000 high school teens, parents, and youth ministers from across the country will gather November 20-22, 2025, around the theme, I Am | Yo Soy. NCYC takes place at the Indiana Convention Center and Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. All participating adults must adhere to a code of conduct and complete and be current in either their home diocese’s Safe Environment program, Praesidium, or the Archdiocese of Indianapolis’ program. There are no exceptions.

How can we participate?

In collaboration with NFCYM, the NRVC invites you to be part of this celebration of the Catholic faith and to promote vocations to religious life. There are three ways to participate in NCYC:

1. Participate as a volunteer with the NRVC in the t-shirt swap area in the Interactive Exhibit Hall. We are building upon the success of the tshirt swap in 2023. NRVC members are needed to volunteer to help create a welcoming space that sparks conversation about sweatshops, overconsumption, accumulation, the vow of poverty, and vocation discernment. Bring along new/gently used t-shirts with inspiring quotes, community logos, etc. for teens to take home by swapping out one that they brought.
   
   Because volunteers do not pay a registration fee, you must volunteer for at least two shifts daily, one at the tshirt swap and the other in the various opportunities available in the exhibit hall.
   
   You may register as an individual or register with members of your religious institute; there is no minimum or maximum number of volunteers you can register, but everyone must have proof of current Safe Environment training. Travel, meals, parking, and accommodations are not included, you must make these reservations on your own.
   
   Email debbiesscm@nrvc.net the names and email addresses of those who want to volunteer so you can be contacted with additional instructions about volunteer registration to signify you are an NRVC volunteer.
    
2. Attend as an adult chaperone with high schools, parishes, and dioceses. NCYC registration is $375 per person, however, the group you attend with may have additional fees for meals, travel, and accommodations.
    
3. Exhibits are SOLD OUT. Register for an information exhibit booth in the interactive exhibit hall (IEH) to promote your religious congregation. Registration is $800 for a 10 x 10 space and includes 4 exhibit credentials. Travel, meals, parking, and accommodations are not included, you must make these reservations on your own. NFCYM suggests that all exhibitors carry a minimum of $500,000 in liability insurance coverage. More information about exhibits can be found here.

For more information

For all NRVC members participating in NCYC, please email debbiesscm@nrvc.net the names of participants, emails, and the website of your religious institute. All NRVC members will receive a ribbon for their name tags on site and listed on this website page. 

Participating NRVC communities

Benedictine Sisters, Beech Grove, IN

Benedictine Sisters, Ferdinand, IN

Benedictine Sisters,  St. Joseph, MN

Brothers of the Sacred Heart

Capuchin Franciscans

Claretian Missionaries

Congregation of Holy Cross

Daughters of Charity of St. Vincent De Paul, St. Louise

Divine Word Missionaries

Dominican Sisters, Springfield

Felician Sisters of North America 

Franciscan Friars, Our Lady of Guadalupe

Franciscan Friars, Conventual, Our Lady of the Angels

Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration

Franciscan Sisters of the Sacred Heart

Glenmary Home Missioners

Josephite Fathers and Brothers

Marianists (Society of Mary)

Maryknoll Fathers and Brothers

Missionary Servants of the Most Holy Trinity

Order of Carmelites, Province of the Most Pure Heart of Mary

PIME Missionaries

Poor Handmaids of Jesus Christ

Priests of the Sacred Heart (Dehnonians)

Redemptorists

Salesians of Don Bosco, Canada and Eastern USA

Sisters of Charity of Nazareth

Sisters of Mercy of the Americas

Sisters of Providence, Saint Mary of the Woods

Sisters of St. Francis, Oldenburg, IN

Sisters of Saint Joseph of Peace

Sisters of Saints Cyril and Methodius

Sisters of the Precious Blood

Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, Scranton

Viatorians

For the first time, a pope will directly engage in a 45-minute live digital dialogue with young people at the National Catholic Youth Conference (NCYC). The encounter will take place on Friday, November 21, 2025, at 10:15 am ET | 7:15 am PT during NCYC’s morning general session at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.

This event isn’t just a speech – it’s a true encounter, as Pope Leo XIV will listen and respond to young people’s hopes, struggles, and faith, affirming that their voices matter in the life of the Church. Click here to register or watch it live on EWTN. Host watch parties in your convents and places of ministry to see our teens, hear their questions, and be inspired by Pope Leo!

About World Day for Consecrated Life

In 1997, Pope Saint John Paul II instituted a day for women and men in consecrated life. This global celebration is attached to the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord on February 2nd. This Feast is also known as Candlemas Day; the day on which candles are blessed symbolizing Christ who is the light of the world. So too, those in consecrated life are called to reflect the light of Jesus Christ to all peoples. 

There are several ways to celebrate World Day for Consecrated Life. Invite sisters, brothers, and priests to publicly renew their vows at Mass, send cards of support to newer entrants, ask to visit a mother house to meet and pray with sisters, brothers, and priests, invite a vocation director to visit your classroom, Board meeting, or faith group to learn more about consecrated life. Send flowers, make a donation to a religious community, or invite someone to discern their vocation to consecrated life!

Integrate the Jubilee Year into World Day for Consecrated Life

• Reignite the flame of faith: Intentionally choose to visit religious education classes and ask to speak with families, not just the students. Provide fun faith facts with stories of call from scripture and members of your community. Talk about the ways you have overcome adversity, the challenges you have faced, and the people who reignited your flame of faith over the years.
• Share the light of service: Purposely highlight members of your community to draw attention to those who have dedicated countless years to vowed communal life in specific ministries and prayer focused on the people Pope Francis mentions in the Papal Bull: the poor, the young, the migrants, and the elderly,
• Restore relationships: Deliberately choose words and actions that reconcile, heal, and create safe spaces for young adults who feel isolated from the Church. Religious have a long history of being listeners and bridge builders, using non-violent ways to engage in tough conversations. Publicize ways your congregation continues to care for all of creation.
• Be renewed in hope: Vocation directors are tangible signs of hope, and collaboration is one of the best ways to be encouraged. Call the dioceses in which your members serve, ask what is already planned for the Jubilee Year, and get involved. Many dioceses are planning pilgrimages to local shrines, churches, and sacred spaces, so call the Diocesan Office of Liturgy to place your community on the list of pilgrimage sites to visit. Open the doors of your motherhouses, missions, and ministries once again to invite families to learn more about consecrated life!

Resources to celebrate World Day for Consecrated Life

Celebrate with Abundant Hope!

Spark a conversation about religious life using the Abundant Hope prayer cards, and Abundant Hope video series of newer entrants and senior professed members talking about their lived experiences of intergenerational and intercultural vowed communal life.  There are 76 videos of sisters, brothers, and priests sharing abundant hope on the NRVC YouTube Channel. On World Day for Consecrated Life, gather together to talk about unwavering hope, invite others to celebrate, and record your own short videos to post on your social media sites to join this global celebration! 

VISION Vocation Network articles on Religious Life

VISION Vocation Digital Guides

Dare to Love video

Consecrated Life through the lens of Fratelli Tutti video

Ideas for families and parishes to celebrate WDCL video

Fundamentals from call to charism to community living video

What you might not know about religious life three minute video

Finding joy in religious life three minute video

Religious Life is...three minute video

Takeaways from Christus Vivit through the lens of vocation ministry video

Selected vocation quotes from Christus Vivit!

USCCB Resources

Sample renewal of vows for cross-congregational events

Sample renewal formula from the Diocese of Brooklyn:

Eternal and Loving God, trusting in your faithful love,
I, _____________, renew my vows to live my life
following Jesus Christ in chastity, poverty, and obedience.
I commit myself anew to serve the Church
in the ministries entrusted to my Religious Congregation.
Grant me the grace, Lord Jesus,
through the intercession of Our Lady
and the prayers and support of my sisters and brothers in Christ
to live these vows faithfully.  Amen.

Sample renewal formula from the Diocese of Ogdensburg:

O my God, I ____________, renew my vows of chastity, poverty, and obedience, hoping with your Divine Grace to observe them faithfully.”  Amen.

Sample renewal formula from the Archdiocese of Chicago:

Trusting in God’s love and fidelity,
I ____________, renew my dedication to God
Through the vows of Chastity, Poverty, and Obedience.
I renew the gift of my life in community
and in mission to extend God’s reign of justice, love, and peace in the world.
With total dependence upon God,
I promise fidelity to this commitment
made in accordance with the Constitutions
of my Religious Congregation.
I ask you to pray
that I will be faithful to this commitment. Amen

Quotes from the NRVC Focus groups of newer entrants
who entered religious life from 2003-2018

"This community really, for me, gave me a place and a voice to say, it's okay that you sing in Spanish. It's okay that you're abuelito did this. You had a little altarcito. It's okay. That cultural experience is valid, is valued. That's what attracted me to my community, where I could explore that and celebrate that."

"I was attracted to living in community with other people with the same charism, with the same spirit, with the same hopes for the world with our differences. I wanted to be in community. That was really important to me."

"I think the greatest joy and the greatest challenge is community life, always."

Homily links from Pope Francis

2025 Papal Homily for the 29th World Day for Consecrated Life

Consecrated obedience can act as an antidote to this isolated individualism, for it promotes an alternative model of relationship marked by active listening, where “speaking” and “listening” are followed by the concreteness of “acting”, even at the cost of setting aside our own tastes, plans and preferences. Only in this way, in fact, can a person fully experience the joy of gift, overcoming loneliness and discovering the meaning of his or her existence in God’s greater plan.

2024 Papal Message for the 28th World Day for Consecrated Life

It is good for us to look at these two elders who were waiting patiently, vigilant in spirit and persevering in prayer. Their hearts have stayed awake, like an eternal flame. They are advanced in age, but young at heart. They do not let the days wear them down, for their eyes remain fixed on God in expectation (cf. Ps 145:15). Fixed on God in expectation, always in expectation. Along life’s journey, they have experienced hardships and disappointments, but they have not given in to defeat: they have not “retired” hope.

2023 Papal Message for the 27th World Day for Consecrated Life

Your mission is enriched by the charisms of your institutes and societies, the charisms of your founders. In their remarkable variety, they all gave themselves for the edification of the Church and for her mission. All charisms are for the mission, and they are precisely so with the incalculable richness of their variety; so that the Church may bear witness to and proclaim the Gospel to everyone and in every situation.

2022 Papal Homily for the 26th World Day for Consecrated Life

What is our vision of consecrated life? The world often sees it as “a waste”, a relic of the past, something useless. But we, the Christian community, men and women religious, what do we see? Are our eyes turned only inward, yearning for something that no longer exists, or are we capable of a farsighted gaze of faith, one that looks both within and beyond? I am greatly edified when I see older consecrated men and women whose eyes are bright, who continue to smile and in this way give hope to the young. Let us think of all those times when we encountered such persons, and bless God for this. For their eyes are full of hope and openness to the future.

2021 Papal Homily for the 25th World Day for Consecrated Life

2020 Papal Homily for the 24th World Day for Consecrated Life

2019 Papal Homily for the 23rd World Day for Consecrated Life

2018 Papal Homily for the 22nd World Day of Consecrated Life

2017 Papal Homily for the 21st World Day of Consecrated Life

2016 Papal Homily for 20th World Day of Consecrated Life

2015 Papal Homily for 19th World Day of Consecrated Life

2014 Papal Homily for 18th World Day of Consecrated Life

Homily Links for Pope Benedict XVI

2013 Papal Message for 17th World Day of Consecrated Life

2012 Papal Message for 16th World Day of Consecrated Life

2011 Papal Message for 15th World Day of Consecrated Life

2010 Papal Message for 14th World Day of Consecrated Life

2009 Papal Message for 13th World Day of Consecrated Life

2008 Papal Message for 12th World Day of Consecrated Life

2007 Papal Message for 11th World Day of Consecrated life

2006 Papal Message for 10th World Day of Consecrated Life

Homily links from Pope John Paul II

2005 Papal Message for 9th World Day of Consecrated Life

2004 Papal Message for 8th World Day of Consecrated Life

2003 Papal Message for 7th World Day of Consecrated Life

2002 Papal Message for 6th World Day of Consecrated Life

2001 Papal Message for 5th World Day of Consecrated Life

2000 Papal Message for 4th World Day of Consecrated Life

1999 Papal Message for 3rd World Day of Consecrated Life

1998 Papal Message for 2nd World Day of Consecrated Life

1997 Papal Message for 1st World Day of Consecrated Life

National Vocation Awareness Week (NVAW) is an annual week-long celebration of the Catholic Church in the United States dedicated to promote vocations to ordained ministry and consecrated life through prayer, invitation, and education, and to renew our prayers and support for those who are considering these vocations. 

Please avail yourself of the many resources NRVC offers to help promote NVAW in your community, parish, school, or campus ministry office. Note: for social media posts, use the hashtag #NVAW or #NationalVocationAwarenessWeek. 

NRVC resources

Promote the interactive vocation resource showcasing today’s Catholic sisters, nuns, brothers, and priests, the Bold and Faithful Storymap: Meet Today's Religious. 

This storymap is designed for use by individuals considering a religious vocation and for parishes, campuses, and classrooms to promote vocations and connect those in religious life to everyday Catholics.

Featuring audio, video, articles, an interactive events calendar, and a religious institute map, the Bold and Faithful storymap is a companion resource, along with 2021 Religious Life Today storymap, to the NRVC’s 2020 Study on Recent Vocations to Religious Life. 

Conversation Cards

I Hope You Come to Find Spanish Prayer Cards

Responsibilities of Members for Vocation Ministry Handout

Ten Questions Parents ask about Vocations to Religious Life Brochure

Ten Questions People ask about Vocations to Religious Life Brochure

VISION Vocation Guide Digital Edition | VISION Article Index 

Vocation Vocabulary Booklet

Videos on Religious Life

NRVC has over 300 videos to share on your social media platforms on our NRVC YouTube Channel, including our Learn it! Love it! Live it! webinar series. 

Abundant Hope Series

Moving Forward in Hope Series

Religious Life Today Webinar Series

Vocation Promotion Series

Walking Humbly Together Series

Other resources

VISION Vocation Network resources: NRVC's VocationNetwork.org offers many vocation-related resources, including, articles, videos, prayers, and quizzes on vocation discernment and religious life. Order free VISION guide, prayer cards, and posters.

The USCCB website offers news releases, prayer cards, video clips, and other resources.

Global Sisters Report offers lessons for classrooms about Catholic Sisters.

Serra International offers Spark Vocation Tools.

Keep us in the loop

Please send us any plans, photos, or news about your events celebrated during National Vocation Awareness Week. We're happy to spread the good news. 

History

Observance of Vocation Awareness Week began in 1976 when the U.S. bishops designated the 28th Sunday of the year for the celebration. It was later moved to the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord in January. In 2014, after extensive consultation, the Committee on Clergy, Consecrated Life, and Vocations moved the observance of National Vocation Awareness Week to November to engage Catholic schools and colleges more effectively in this effort.

Join us at Convocation in 2026!

Convocation brings together the NRVC membership with its trademark excellence in workshops, liturgies, keynote presentations, and networking. This large membership conference also includes the member business meeting, awards, and invitations to collaborators. It provides the opportunity to celebrate the mission and vision of the organization while engaging in professional development and ongoing formation. We are excited to be heading out to Orlando, Florida, for our biennial Convocation, November 19-23, 2026. 

Welcome Reception and Ritual begins at 5:30 p.m., November 19, 2026

Awards dinner ends at 9:00 p.m., November 22, 2026.

Reserve your Hotel room

The venue selected is the Rosen Centre Hotel at 9840 International Drive, Orlando, FL  32819. It has an olympic size tropical outdoor swimming pool and is close to theme parks, shopping and world-class golf. Rosen Centre Hotel is just 12 minutes from Orlando International Airport. Parking is $15 per night and each room has complimentary wi-fi.

• 5 minutes to SeaWorld® Orlando and Universal Orlando Resort
• 10 minutes to Walt Disney World
• 15 minutes from Orlando Downtown
• One block from Pointe Orlando shopping and entertainment complex

The NRVC has contracted a block of rooms for three days prior and 3 days after Convocation for a reduced rate of $149 per night plus 12.5% tax. While it may be cheaper for reservations elsewhere or through third parties, the NRVC depends upon your reservations through Nix conference management to keep the overall rate of the conference affordable. If we do not meet our contracted rooms, the NRVC will be penalized financially. Check-in is after 3:00 pm and check-out is before 1100 am. Please note reservations for the hotel discount rate ends on October 18, 2026.

Please do not make your hotel reservations, please wait for the NRVC reservations in April 2026.

Plan your budget

An opening reception on Thursday evening, lunch on Friday and Saturday, along with the closing awards supper on Sunday, are all included in your registration fee. There are several restaurants within walking distance from the hotel. There is also a restaurant in the hotel 

Registration fee: $650 for members; $925 for non-members

Pre-Convocation workshop, 9:00 a.m. -  4:30 p.m., on November 19, 2026
Member rate: $225 including lunch 
Non-member rate: $325 including lunch 

The hotel overnight rate is $149 plus 12.5% tax from November 16-26. Parking is $15 per night. Please do NOT make reservations directly to the hotel or through third parties as they will not be applied to our NRVC contract. Thank you.  

If you need to cancel your reservation, please email debbiesscm@nrvc.net Due to contracts with the hotel/vendors, all registration fees are non-refundable after October 1, 2026. 

If you need financial assistance, the NRVC Misericordia Fund is available to help with Convocation registration fees. For information and applications, please click here. 

Become a Convocation sponsor

Many levels of Sponsorship are available and we welcome your support.  Please contact Sister Debbie at debbiesscm@nrvc.net for more information. 

Exhibits are available to those who are sponsors at the $2,000 and higher levels. Exhibits open at 3:00 p.m. on November 19 and close at 4:00 p.m. on November 21 p.m. Exhibits include 1 table, two chairs, and up to two Convocation registration fees. 

Sponsor: Father Adam MacDonald, S.V.D.

Pre-Convocation workshop

Come a day early to elevate your skills and enhance your ministry!  This workshop is designed for vocation ministers, leadership teams, and all those responsible for the admissions process. Workshop registration for NRVC members is $225 which includes a buffet lunch. The price for non-members is $315.  

Keynote presenters to be announced

Liturgy

Communal and personal prayer are important values of the NRVC.  Each day, Mass will be celebrated along with opportunities for Communal Prayer. A prayer room will be located in the hotel for those who seek a quieter, contemplative space.  

Outstanding recognition awards

The NRVC presents up to four categories of awards at the biennial Convocation: The Harvest Award, the Lifetime Member Award, the Mustard Seed Award, and Outstanding Service Recognition.  More information to follow.

Donation custom

It is the custom of the Host Member Area to select a local non-profit organization for the collection taken at the closing Mass at Convocation. 

Travel to Convocation

The closest airport is the Orlando International Airport (MCO). Arline service includes Aer Lingus, Aero Mexico, Air Canada, Alaska Airlines, Allegiant, American Airlines, Breeze, Delta, Frontier, JetBlue, Poreter, Southwest, Spirit, Sun Country, United, Virgin Atlantic, Volaris, and Westjet. Taxi/Uber/Lyft/other app-based ride services, and car rental companies at your own expense. On-sire car rental is available at the hotel. 

Terms and conditions

Please read our NRVC terms and conditions for all events and programs.

General Information

This year the NRVC is offering three workshops on-site at the Summer Institute in Leavenworth, KS, and five workshops virtually at the Fall Institute. These workshops are designed for vocation ministers, formation teams, communicators, religious leadership, and others entrusted with the assessment of discerners and candidates. Workshops are designed from the NRVC curriculum for those who wish to deepen their understanding of the complex theological, spiritual, psycho-sexual, ethical, and diversity issues often present in contemporary vocation ministry. 

The Mission of the National Religious Vocation Conference reflects its commitment to providing members with educational opportunities, relevant resources, and other supportive services that strengthen and enhance the practiced ministerial skills of those serving in vocation ministry. The NRVC strongly suggests that vocation ministers participate in ongoing educational opportunities to attend to their own vocation, faith formation, and to further develop their professional competencies. It is essential for vocation ministers to keep up-to-date on trends, issues, skills, and best practices in the field of vocation ministry.  

2025 Workshop Schedule

Summer Institute in Kansas

Our annual Summer Institute will offer three onsite workshops at the Marillac Center, in Leavenworth, KS, July 8-21, 2025. Choose to attend one or several workshops, it's your choice. All workshops include overnight accommodations at the Marillac Center. Enjoy the convenience of having a private bedroom and bathroom, along with linen service, wi-fi, meals, and breaks. Click on each workshop link for specific details.

July 9-13, 2025, Orientation Program for New Vocation Directors

July 15-17, 2025, Behavioral Assessment 1 workshop

July 19-20, 2025, Vocation Promotion for Today’s Discerners workshop      

Fall Institute via Zoom

Take a virtual workshop this autumn in the comfort of your home. Enjoy a travel-free, hassle-free learning experience -- no packing required! Our experienced presenters will engage participants with a reasonable schedule integrated with screen breaks. We will mail your workshop materials to you. Click on each workshop link for specific details.

October 6-10, 2025, Virtual Orientation Program for New Vocation Directors   

October 13 2025, Virtual Understanding the Lasting Impact of Childhood Trauma on Candidates for Religious Life workshop

October 14, 21, and 28, 2025 (only Tuesdays), Virtual Culture Matters: are we listening with today's discerners workshop   

October 15-17, 2025, Virtual Behavioral Assessment 1 workshop

October 29-30, 2025, Virtual Ethical Issues in Candidate Assessment workshop

One-day workshop offered in three locations

Candidate Assessment through the Lens of Interculturality

June 13, 2025, Delaware Valley Member Area, Philadelphia, PA

September 6, 2025, Southwest Member Area, San Antonio, TX

October 18, 2025, Midwest Member Area, Chicago, IL

Workshop & Overnight Accommodation fees

Workshops are open to NRVC members at a discounted rate and for non-members at an affordable price. Each workshop is $185 per person per day for members and $270 per person per day for non-members, regardless of the workshop. Summer Institute overnight accommodations are $115 per night and must be registered for the room block for each workshop.  

If you would like to become an NRVC member to receive the discounted rate, click here.  

Late registration

Summer Institute registrations received after June 30 incur a $100 late fee. 

Fall Institute registrations received after October 1 incur a $100 late fee.

Cancellations

Cancellations for workshops must be received in writing to dinasp@nrvc.net before June 30/Summer Institute, and October 1/Fall Institute to receive a full refund less a $100 processing fee. After June 30/October 1, all fees are non-refundable. 

Financial assistance available

To assist NRVC members with their professional development, the Misericordia Scholarship Fund is available. Scholarship funds can be applied to NRVC workshops; however, they do not cover the cost of transportation, accommodations, meals, or personal expenses. If you need financial assistance to attend an NRVC workshop, find out more information here to apply online. 

Workshop terms and conditions

Please read our NRVC terms and conditions for all events and programs.

Questions about workshops?

Direct your questions to Sr. Dina Bato, S.P. at dinasp@nrvc.net