New Statistics on American Catholic Religious Reveal 95% of Vocations from those Active in Church Ministries and Many Came from Large Families #USCCB

 

Overview of the 2025 Profession Class

In preparation for the World Day of Prayer for Consecrated Life (Feb. 2), Archbishop Ronald A. Hicks and the USCCB released an annual report from the Center for Applied Research in the Apostolate (CARA). The study surveyed major superiors and newly professed members to track the trends of those committing their lives to the Catholic Church.

Vital Statistics & Demographics

The report identified 179 total perpetual professions in 2025, consisting of 105 men and 74 women. While 82% of religious communities reported no perpetual professions this year, the active orders (86% of the total) continue to lead in numbers over contemplative orders (14%). Nearly nine in ten (86%) responding religious report that someone encouraged them to consider a vocation to religious life. More than two in five report being encouraged by a religious sister or brother (52%), friend (48%), and parish priest (46%).

  • Average Age: 38 years old (Range: 22 to 74).

  • Birthplace: 69% were born in the U.S.

  • Top Foreign Origins: Asia (12%), Latin America (9%), and Africa (7%).

Racial and Ethnic Breakdown: | Ethnicity | Percentage | | :--- | :--- | | Caucasian / White | 57% | | Asian / Pacific Islander | 16% | | Hispanic / Latino | 16% | | African / African American / Black | 9% | | Mixed Race / Other | 3% |

Education and Professional Background

The 2025 class is characterized by high academic achievement and prior professional experience.

  • Higher Ed: 73% earned a degree before entering their institute.

  • Fields of Study: Profiles included experts in electrical engineering, medical research, and petroleum engineering.

  • Work History: 84% held jobs before entering religious life, primarily in business or education.

  • Debt: 8% delayed their entry due to educational debt, which averaged $55,500 per person.

Religious Upbringing and Discernment

The "typical" newly professed member comes from a stable, practicing Catholic environment:

  • Family: 92% have been Catholic since birth; 85% were raised by married biological parents.

  • Siblings: 98% have at least one sibling, with nearly 40% coming from families of five or more children.

  • Formative Years: While only 35% attended Catholic high schools, 95% were active in parish ministries—most commonly as altar servers (60%) or lectors (57%).

  • Prayer Practices: Prior to joining, 79% regularly attended retreats. Men were more likely to cite retreats as a primary practice (83%), while women were more likely to cite the Rosary (84%). Almost all responding religious of the Profession Class of 2025 (97%) participated in one or more prayer practices or groups on a regular basis prior to entering their religious institute.

  • Approximately one in eight (13%) reports being home schooled at some time in their educational background. Among those who were home schooled, the average length of time they were home schooled was nine years. 

  • Source  USCCB - https://www.usccb.org/resources/Report-Profession%20Class%202025-FINAL.pdf

  • Image Sisters of Life Facebook Page 

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