many newer religious are from recentimmigrant families (a third have aparent born elsewhere), they haveexcellent language abilities relativeto the average American, with 24percent of them fluent in a languageother than English.
The new sisters, brothers, andpriests are trending slightly youngerthan the people who joined 10years before them. They tend to jointheir communities around the sametime that Millennials typically getmarried: The average age to enterreligious life is now 28 for men and29 for women. A third of newerreligious were exposed to the life byhaving a relative who is a religious,such as an aunt or uncle. Most consider their families middle class, butaround a third say they come froma family that was “working poor.”Most have a bachelor’s degree (orhigher) and had work experiencebefore they entered their communities.
Enthusiastic
The 2020 NRVC study of members
who have entered since 2003 also
revealed that newer sisters, broth-
ers, and priests are excited about the
possibilities before them. According
to the NRVC study report, “Mil-
lennial generation respondents, in
particular, are more likely than older
generation respondents to report that
living, ministering, sharing meals,
and socializing with other members
Code #001 VocationNetwork.org Community Search
are ‘very’ important to them.” These
members have always known that
religious life was undergoing major
demographic changes. In contrast
to the past, members from disparate
religious communities often start out
religious life by studying together,
forming intercommunity friendships,
and getting to know each other’s
Newer religious
are inspired
by and motivated
to do ministry with
and for those
in greatest need.
“
