Fostering Multicultural Vocations

"Our great challenge is to create a culture of encounter which encourages individuals and groups to share the richness of their traditions and experience; to break down walls and to build bridges." - Pope Francis

The Hispanic/Latino community currently constitutes 40% of the Catholic population in the United States. Moreover, nearly 50% of Catholic children under the age of 17 and born in the United States are Hispanic/Latino. However, over the past ten years, only 5-15% of newly professed religious and 10-20% of ordinands to the priesthood have been of Hispanic/Latino origin.  In addition, the share of foreign-born ordinands and religious continues to fluctuate with 27% of the Ordination Class of 2021 and 6% of the Profession Class of 2020 identifying as foreign-born. 

The promotion of Hispanic vocations is a priority of the 2021-2024 USCCB Strategic Plan, and in particular, the Operational Plan for the USCCB Committee on Clergy, Consecrated Life and Vocations. The following resources are available to help pastoral leaders minister to the Hispanic/Latino population in their region, diocese, and local parish communities.

Welcome! Bienvenidos!

Welcome! Bienvenidos!

Bishop Michael F. Burbidge, Chairman of the USCCB’s Committee on Clergy, Consecrated Life and Vocations, speaks about the importance of building a culture of vocations within the rich and diverse Hispanic communities of our dioceses and parishes.

V Encuentro National Event

V Encuentro National Event

On June 9, 2013 in San Diego, CA, the USCCB Subcommittee on Hispanic Affairs convened pastoral leaders of the Hispanic/Latino community to engage again in the process of Encuentro. The V Encuentro was convened in the context of the New Evangelization and emphasized the importance of involving young, second and third generation Hispanics/Latinos. It sought to empower Hispanic/Latino Catholics to joyfully embrace their vocation as missionary disciples of Jesus Christ.

V Encuentro Resources
CARA Special Report: Cultural Diversity in Vocations to Religious Life in the United States

CARA Special Report: Cultural Diversity in Vocations to Religious Life in the United States

Cultural diversity is both a blessing and challenge for religious communities. CARA was commissioned by the Conrad N. Hilton Foundation to conduct a 2020 survey of 3,196 religious priests, brothers, and sisters in the United States who have been a part of religious life since 2005. The survey studied the impact of multicultural realities on vocational discernment and formation.

Full Report
NRVC/CARA Study: Incorporating Cultural Diversity in Religious Life

NRVC/CARA Study: Incorporating Cultural Diversity in Religious Life

The National Religious Vocation Conference (NRVC) commissioned the Center for Applied Research (CARA) to conduct a study on the recruitment and integration of multicultural candidates into U.S.-based religious communities. The goal is to promote religious vocations and strengthen religious life in the United States.

Full Report and Video
Building Intercultural Competence for Ministers

Building Intercultural Competence for Ministers

One cannot preach, teach or form persons in the Catholic faith adequately without attending to the ways in which Catholic faith and identity become embodied in culture. The Building Intercultural Competence for Ministers manual is designed to help ministry leaders achieve a basic level of awareness and proficiency in the area of intercultural competency through the five guidelines recommended by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) Committee on Cultural Diversity in the Church.  

Purchase the Manual
Journeying Together Initiative

Journeying Together Initiative

Journeying Together is a process of dialogue and encounter focused on the Church’s ministry with youth and young adults that fosters understanding and trust within and across cultural families toward a more welcoming and just community of faith. 

More information
Naturaliza de la Vocación

Naturaliza de la Vocación

El Obispo Cepeda reflexiona sobre la naturaleza de la vocación. Jesús lo resume: “No me eligieron ustedes a mí, sino que yo los elegí a ustedes. Para mas informacion: https://www.usccb.org/beliefs-and-teac...

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