This report presents findings from a national survey of seminarians scheduled for ordination to the priesthood in the report year. The report is a part of collaboration between the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops’ (USCCB) Secretariat of Clergy, Consecrated Life and Vocations and the Center for Applied Research in the Apostolate (CARA). The purpose of this report is to compile information regarding men who are ordained to priesthood in the United States, within a particular year.

This report is a way to interpret the new context by better understanding the people who are engaged in the lay ministry today. With this understanding the National Association for Lay Ministry, and collaborating Catholic organizations, can discern how to provide support, advocacy, and formation for lay people engaged in Church ministry.

One set of survey questions asked about their practice of Marian devotion before they discerned their ecclesial vocations and what impact it had on their discernment of their respective vocations. Many, but not all, religious communities and dioceses have a Marian dimension to their community or diocese. In discerning a vocation to their particular religious community or diocese, on average, a third of respondents (35%) report that a Marian dimension of that community or diocese was significant ("significant" or "very significant" combined) to them.

One of the purposes of this report is to record the work of a colloquia series in which a diverse group of newer members, elected leaders, vocation ministers, and formation personnel might explore current experiences of intercultural and intercongregational collaboration in religious life and map future possibilities for it.

This report explores how Latina/o college students define and experience spiritual thriving within Catholic campus ministries across the United States. Findings reveal that Latina/o students and campus ministers often understand “thriving” differently. Ministers tend to emphasize regular sacramental participation, involvement in campus ministry, and a mature relationship with God.

Recommendations from a Young Adult Gathering at Xavier University in Louisiana.  This report includes issues within the Church, Black Catholic community, and the ideal qualities of allies.

This FADICA executive summary compiles the opinions and prayers of 380 Black Catholics and approximately 3,000 hours of dialogue and dreaming about what it means to be Black and Catholic, the needs of the Black Catholic community, and imaginings for a Church that is not yet but must be in the future, if it is to retain its young Black Catholic membership.

This report presents findings from a national survey of seminarians scheduled for ordination to the priesthood in the report year. The report is a part of collaboration between the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops’ (USCCB) Secretariat of Clergy, Consecrated Life and Vocations and the Center for Applied Research in the Apostolate (CARA). The purpose of this report is to compile information regarding men who are ordained to priesthood in the United States, within a particular year.

This report presents findings from a national survey of seminarians scheduled for ordination to the priesthood in the report year. The report is a part of collaboration between the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops’ (USCCB) Secretariat of Clergy, Consecrated Life and Vocations and the Center for Applied Research in the Apostolate (CARA). The purpose of this report is to compile information regarding men who are ordained to priesthood in the United States, within a particular year.

This report presents findings from a national survey of women and men religious who professed perpetual vows in the report year in a religious institute, province, or monastery based in the United States.

When asked how much of an impact their participation in VEYM had on their faith life, eight in ten responding youth leaders (83%) report that participating in VEYM has had an impact on them seeking and doing God’s will in their life. Three in four (74%) report it having an impact their discernment of their life’s vocation. Half (48%) indicate that it has had an impact on igniting their vocation to the priesthood, diaconate, or religious life.

This weblink contains all relevant statistics for the United States and the world.

This CARA report presents the findings of 362 women and men who formally entered 123 religious institutes. Among these institutes, 43% are smaller sized (less than 50 professed members), 40% are medium sized (51-150 professed members), and 17% are larger sized (more than 151 professed members).

This report presents findings from a national survey of women and men religious who professed perpetual vows in the report year in a religious institute, province, or monastery based in the United States.

This report presents findings from a national survey of seminarians scheduled for ordination to the priesthood in the report year. The report is a part of collaboration between the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops’ (USCCB) Secretariat of Clergy, Consecrated Life and Vocations and the Center for Applied Research in the Apostolate (CARA). The purpose of this report is to compile information regarding men who are ordained to priesthood in the United States, within a particular year.

Women and Men Entering Religious Life. This CARA report presents the findings of 279 women and men who formally entered 99 religious institutes in 2023.

This report presents findings from a national survey of women and men religious who professed perpetual vows in the report year in a religious institute, province, or monastery based in the United States.

This report presents findings from a national survey of seminarians scheduled for ordination to the priesthood in the report year. The report is a part of collaboration between the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops’ (USCCB) Secretariat of Clergy, Consecrated Life and Vocations and the Center for Applied Research in the Apostolate (CARA). The purpose of this report is to compile information regarding men who are ordained to priesthood in the United States, within a particular year.

Women and Men Entering Religious Life. This CARA report presents the findings of 253 women and men who formally entered 95 religious institutes in 2022. 

This study looked at the impact of family life, parish life, and cultural backgrounds on discernment of a vocation to a men’s or women’s religious congregation.

This report presents findings from a national survey of seminarians scheduled for ordination to the priesthood in the report year. The report is a part of collaboration between the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops’ (USCCB) Secretariat of Clergy, Consecrated Life and Vocations and the Center for Applied Research in the Apostolate (CARA). The purpose of this report is to compile information regarding men who are ordained to priesthood in the United States, within a particular year.

Women and Men Entering Religious Life. This CARA report presents the findings of 352 women and men who formally entered 135 religious institutes in 2021. 

This report presents findings from a national survey of women and men religious who professed perpetual vows in the report year in a religious institute, province, or monastery based in the United States.

This report presents findings from a study about faith and spiritual life of Catholics in the United States to help better understand their spiritual needs and how existing spiritual formation programs cater to these needs.

This report presents findings from a national survey of seminarians scheduled for ordination to the priesthood in the report year. The report is a part of collaboration between the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops’ (USCCB) Secretariat of Clergy, Consecrated Life and Vocations and the Center for Applied Research in the Apostolate (CARA). The purpose of this report is to compile information regarding men who are ordained to priesthood in the United States, within a particular year.

This report presents findings from a national survey of women and men religious who professed perpetual vows in the report year in a religious institute, province, or monastery based in the United States.

Women and Men Entering Religious Life. This CARA report presents the findings of 309 women and men who formally entered 114 US-based religious institutes in 2020.

This report presents findings from a national survey of seminarians scheduled for ordination to the priesthood in the report year. The report is a part of collaboration between the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops’ (USCCB) Secretariat of Clergy, Consecrated Life and Vocations and the Center for Applied Research in the Apostolate (CARA). The purpose of this report is to compile information regarding men who are ordained to priesthood in the United States, within a particular year.

This report presents findings from a national survey of women and men religious who professed perpetual vows in the report year in a religious institute, province, or monastery based in the United States.

Women and Men Entering Religious Life. This CARA report presents the findings of 370 women and men who formally entered 128 US-based religious institutes in 2019.

This report looks at data of newer entrants in Australia from 2000 - 2015. This study looked at data to to determine the characteristics of the women and men who have entered religious life (and stayed) since 2000 and the characteristics, policies and practices of the religious institutes and societies that are attracting and successfully retaining new members.

This study contains data on over 200 international sisters studying in the United States, the impact of their studies in the United States on their ministries when they return to their home country, and the perceptions and experiences of the major superiors who send their sisters to study abroad.

This report presents findings from a national survey of women and men religious who professed perpetual vows in the report year in a religious institute, province, or monastery based in the United States.

Women and Men Enteting Religious Life. This CARA report presents the findings of 440 women and men who formally entered 171 US-based religious institutes in 2018.

CARA collects enrollment data on every Catholic ministry formation program that prepares men and women for ministry in the U.S. Church as priests, deacons, and lay ecclesial ministers. This statistical overview is published annually and a complete directory listing the names, addresses, and other pertinent information on each program is published every other year.

This report presents findings from a national survey of seminarians scheduled for ordination to the priesthood in the report year. The report is a part of collaboration between the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops’ (USCCB) Secretariat of Clergy, Consecrated Life and Vocations and the Center for Applied Research in the Apostolate (CARA). The purpose of this report is to compile information regarding men who are ordained to priesthood in the United States, within a particular year.

The first national study of the 4,000 international sisters living in the United States was done to better understand the experiences and contributions of international sisters.

This report presents findings from a national survey of women and men religious who professed perpetual vows in the report year in a religious institute, province, or monastery based in the United States.

The first national study of the 4,000 international sisters living in the United States was done to better understand the experiences and contributions of international sisters.

Women and Men Entering Religious Life. This CARA report presents the findings of a survey of 524 women and men who formally entered 182 US-based religious institutes in 2017.

A companion reflection guide to CARA & Trinity Washington University's Study on International Sisters in the United States

This report presents findings from a national survey of seminarians scheduled for ordination to the priesthood in the report year. The report is a part of collaboration between the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops’ (USCCB) Secretariat of Clergy, Consecrated Life and Vocations and the Center for Applied Research in the Apostolate (CARA). The purpose of this report is to compile information regarding men who are ordained to priesthood in the United States, within a particular year.

A companion reflection guide to CARA & Trinity Washington University's Study on International Sisters in the United States

Women and Men Entering Religious Life Report. This CARA report presents the findings of a survey of 502 women and men who formally entered 185 US-based religious institutes in 2016. 

This report presents findings from a national survey of women and men religious who professed perpetual vows in the report year in a religious institute, province, or monastery based in the United States.

The Catholic Church in the United States has always been a very diverse entity, but it is the first time that all available data was brought together to map this diversity nationwide in remarkable detail," said Archbishop Gustavo García-Siller of San Antonio, chairman of the U.S. Bishops' Committee on Cultural Diversity in the Church. "It is also the first time that parish life was looked at from the point of view of the experience of diversity. Multicultural parishes are a growing phenomenon in the United States. This is what makes this study so fascinating and ground-breaking.

The purpose of this document is to present six key findings of signs of vitality in women's religious institutes: Ministry; Community and Formative Growth; Collaborative Working; Prayer and Spirituality; New Forms of Membership; and How we are aging.

In this special report, CARA identifies various aspects of the college experience that the respondents tell us were important in their vocational discernment.

This report presents findings from a national survey of seminarians scheduled for ordination to the priesthood in the report year. The report is a part of collaboration between the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops’ (USCCB) Secretariat of Clergy, Consecrated Life and Vocations and the Center for Applied Research in the Apostolate (CARA). The purpose of this report is to compile information regarding men who are ordained to priesthood in the United States, within a particular year.

This study's purpose is to identify ways to strengthen and support the internet outreach efforts of Catholic sisters for vocation outreach. The research showed that most institutes have an online presence, most commonly via their website and on Facebook.

This report presents findings from a national survey of seminarians scheduled for ordination to the priesthood in the report year. The report is a part of collaboration between the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops’ (USCCB) Secretariat of Clergy, Consecrated Life and Vocations and the Center for Applied Research in the Apostolate (CARA). The purpose of this report is to compile information regarding men who are ordained to priesthood in the United States, within a particular year.

This report presents findings from a national survey of women and men religious who professed perpetual vows in the report year in a religious institute, province, or monastery based in the United States.

This research funded by the Conrad N. Hilton Foundation, was designed to understand the general public’s attitudes, opinions and experiences with Catholic Sisters in the United States. Specifically, this research sought to answer the following key questions: What does the general public think about Catholic Sisters? That is, what opinions, beliefs and perceptions (as well as misperceptions) define Catholic Sisters in the minds of the general public today?

CARA undertook this longitudinal study of population trends in men’s religious institutes to investigate in more detail some of the trends over the past 45 years.

Women and Men Entering Religious Life Report. This CARA report presents the findings of a survey of 411 women and men who formally entered 143 US-based religious institutes in 2015.

This December 2015 report was published by Foundation and Donors Interested in Catholic Activities, Inc. (FADICA) and written by Kathleen Sprows Cummings of University of Notre Dame. This report provides an overview and analysis of the current state of Catholic women religious in the U.S.

This CARA Study reports that during the academic year 2014-2015 there was increase of 19 seminarians enrolled in the post-baccalaureate level of priestly formation, both diocesan and religious.

In spring 2014, the Center for Applied Research in the Apostolate (CARA) initiated a longitudinal study of women religious in the United States drawing on data reported by the religious institutes of women listed in the Official Catholic Directory (OCD). This report provides a snapshot of some notable phenomena occurring in U.S. religious institutes of women.

This report presents findings from a national survey of women and men religious who professed perpetual vows in the report year in a religious institute, province, or monastery based in the United States.

This report presents findings from a national survey of women and men religious who professed perpetual vows in the report year in a religious institute, province, or monastery based in the United States.

This CARA Study reports 37% of former full-time volunteers have considered religious life or the priesthood, 27% of them "very seriously." Six percent have a vocation as a priest, deacon, sister, brother, or are currently in formation.

In winter 2012, the Secretariat of Clergy, Consecrated Life and Vocations of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) commissioned the Center for Applied Research in the Apostolate (CARA) at Georgetown University to conduct a national poll of never-married Catholics regarding their consideration of a vocation.

This CARA Study was designed to assess the role and influence of Catholic colleges and universities on the vocational discernment of men entering the seminary and religious life in the United States. Almost two-thirds of respondents overall state that a priest/sister/brother professor had a “significant positive influence” on their vocational discernment.

This report presents findings from a national survey of women and men religious who professed perpetual vows in the report year in a religious institute, province, or monastery based in the United States.

This study found that encouragement from others to consider a vocation to religious life is important. Respondents who have one person encouraging them are nearly twice as likely to consider a vocation as those who are not encouraged. Each additional person encouraging these respondents increases the likelihood of consideration. The effect is additive. Respondents who had three persons encourage them would be expected to be more than five times more likely to consider a vocation than someone who was not encouraged by anyone.

This CARA study conducted by the NCEA Seminary Department examines the psychological assessment practices and procedures used by dioceses, men's religious institutes, and seminaries in the testing and screening of applicants to priestly formation programs in the United States.

This study by Dean R. Hoge and Marti Jewell revealed a high percentage of college students involved in campus ministry or diocesan young adult ministry have seriously considered becoming a religious or a diocesan priest.

This three year study of religious institutes of priests, brothers and sisters conducted by Fr. David Nygren, C.M. and Sr. Miriam Ukeritis, C.S.J., is considered the first in-depth study of religious institutes in the United States. It is also known as the Religious Life Futures Project.

Published by the National Catholic Education Association. This report presents the findings of a national survey of diocesan and religious priests who were ordained between 1980 and 1984. The questionnaire issued to the respondents asked about three topics of concern to Catholic Church leadership: priestly morale, priestly identity, and priestly roles.