Profession Class Reports
In celebration of World Day of Prayer for Consecrated Life, the Secretariat of Clergy, Consecrated Life and Vocations is pleased to offer the results of the Profession Class of 2025 survey, conducted by the Center for Applied Research in the Apostolate. This survey was taken by men and women religious who professed their perpetual vows that year.
Meet the Profession Class of 2025
We asked some of our newly professed men and women religious to share something about themselves that others may find surprising. Their answers below provide some insight into how each discovered their vocational call. Congratulations to the Profession Class of 2025!
Sr. Sarah Harbaugh
Adorers of the Blood of Christ, United States Region
"I worked as a counselor at YMCA summer camps while I was in college. These experiences taught me to say yes to new things and to live in the spirit of the moment. I don’t turn down many adventures and will try new things at least once!"
Hung Pham
Congregation of the Priests of the Sacred Heart, USA Province
"I was born and raised in Vietnam. I moved to Houston in 2008. I graduated from the University of Houston with a degree in Petroleum Engineering in 2015. I took my first vows on August 15, 2020, and perpetual vows on June 9, 2025, with the priests of the Sacred Heart. In my free time, I enjoy playing soccer, cycling, gardening, fishing, walking, and running."
Sr. Marie Fe Tansioco
Daughters of Mary Help of Christians, St. Joseph Province
"The first Salesian I met was St. John Bosco! My friend told me about his visiting relic at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington DC. I did not know much about him, but I asked St. John Bosco to pray for my vocation, and not only did he pray, he took me in!"
Isaiah Klena
Discalced Carmelite Friars, Immaculate Heart of Mary Province
"I did not have a good impression of St. Therese of the Lisieux at first. What I heard about her sounded saccharine. Then I read her Story of a Soul and was so taken by her spirituality that I joined her Order."
Sr. Julie Marie Benedicta Turner
Daughters of St. Paul, United States and English-Speaking Canada Province
"I spent several years not believing in God. When he finally broke through, I immediately fell in love with the Blessed Sacrament and began putting my nerdy love for web design and video editing to use for the Campus Ministry center at my university, especially to make sure students knew about Mass and the adoration chapel. I had no idea I'd be consecrated to doing full-time audiovisual production for Jesus 20 years later!"
Dcn. Arnold Formbi
Divine Word Missionaries, Chicago Province
"II nearly pursued law, drawn by a love of argument and math, before discovering a deeper call to service. I later spent two years in Germany for cross-cultural training, where I picked up some German and a broader sense of vocation."
Sr. Marie Therese Fournier
Discalced Carmelite Monastery of St. Therese of Lisieux
"I absolutely loved to travel before entering the cloister! This sounds ironic given the fact that I cannot travel anymore as a cloistered nun, but this has in no way changed my love for adventure. I find all the marvels and beauties I always loved to discover when I traveled right here by relishing our Lord's infinite beauty in the Eucharist and in the beautiful mysteries of our faith."
Fr. Benjamin Chisholm
Missionary Society of St. Paul the Apostle
"I was a competitive swimmer in high school and college. The discipline I learned in the pool has translated well to my work in the apostolate, where I strive to help others fight the good fight, finish the race and keep the faith in the spirit of my congregation's patron Saint Paul the Apostle."
Sr. Mary Augustine Pham
Dominican Sisters of Mary Immaculate Province
"I once tried to outsmart God with a bargain I thought He could not pull off. I told Him I would only go on a vocation retreat if all eight Dominican sisters I met on a pilgrimage in Rome personally invited me. I was already thrown off by the fact that they wore white habits (I had only ever seen sisters in black), and I remember thinking, “What are they?” Their supernatural joy captivated me and stirred something within my heart, but the idea of religious life felt so foreign that it frightened me. When only seven had invited me to the Come and See retreat, I was confident that I had made my escape. However, I realized that I celebrated my victory too early when the eighth sister came up just before we left and asked to send me information about the retreat. I was in utter disbelief, but deep down the angst in my heart began to settle. I began to understand, like St. Augustine, that the restlessness I kept trying to ignore was really His voice inviting me to rest in Him, the One I now know as my Bridegroom."
Fr. Jonathan Dick
Oblates of St. Francis de Sales, Wilmington-Philadelphia Province
"Whether it is drawing, writing poetry, carving lino prints, designing digital graphics and media or doctoring up a feast day dinner for my community to make it special, being creative is naturally a part of who I am. When God created, he did so revealing beauty and goodness. When I create, I try to imitate the Master Creator by collaborating with Him in the work I do so that he may be revealed in it."
Sr. Lisa Marie Shatynski
Franiscan Sisters T.O.R of Penance of the Sorrowful Mother
"I am an avid bird enthusiast. I enjoy praying in the beauty of God's creation and consider each new bird species I see a little sign of God's love for me!"
Victor Espinoza
Oblates of St. Joseph
"I knew my calling at age five but resisted it until I was twenty, when I realized God’s plan was far greater than my own. I once dreamed of a big family, and now I am blessed with a larger one than I ever imagined through my ministry. I treasure spending time with school children and playing sports with the young adults at our parish."
Sr. Esther Warioba
Maryknoll Sisters of St. Dominic
"Seen the glory of God, being called by God and be in His service, I'm happy and thankful."
Br. Jimmy Kernan
Order of Friars Minor, Province of Our Lady of Guadalupe
"ISt. Francis calls us to recognize our shared relationship with God and all of creation. I have the wonderful gift and opportunity to use my talents as a scientist and educator to help respond the cry of the earth and cry of the poor. I get to work with college students and others to respond to the pressing needs of our world, building a world of justice and peace for all."
Sr. María Guadalupe Figueroa
Religious Sisters of Mercy of Alma
"I did not begin to think about religious life until I was 19. I always thought I would be married someday since I was exposed to the beautiful vocation of marriage. It was in growing in my faith in college through a prayer life and frequenting the sacraments that I began to feel the Lord draw me to Himself and respond to His love in a response of totality."
Br. Finnbar McEvoy
Order of St. Benedict, Saint Vincent Archabbey
"I have traveled to more countries around the world than I would have expected to do so as a monk."
Sr. Barb Giehl
Sisters of Mercy of the Americas
"I am a formerly married woman (widow) with 4 adult children and 6 grandchildren. I first considered religious life while in high school. I was married for 31 years. I was a Mercy Associate for 27 years. I entered the Sisters of Mercy as a candidate at the age of 58. This second vocation has been an incredible gift!"
Jackson Graham
Society of Jesus, USA Central and Southern Province
"My decision to join the Society was influenced by his Jesuit education, where I saw the care and intentionality behind each Jesuit I encountered. My interests include painting, fishing, and playing cards. As a Jesuit I have most enjoyed my work ministering to migrants on the U.S. - Mexico Border."
Sr. Nicole Varnerin
Sisters of Notre Dame, Immaculate Conception Province
"I have a deep love for science and a background in electrical engineering. I spent 5 years in medical research before entering my community and I still love science fiction books and movies. Sometimes I even use my design background and creativity to make gifts for others using laser cutters and 3D printers at a local maker space.
Fr. Joe Laramie
Society of Jesus, USA Central and Southern Province
"I studied communication in college. I hoped to be a sportswriter or work for ESPN. My training as a writer and public speaker have been a gift to my priesthood. I've written 2 books, am on the Hallow app, and I've been on many podcasts."
Recent Reports
*archived reports available upon request
