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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is our mission statement?

The Religious Formation Conference, rooted in the Gospel, called by God’s prophetic Spirit, and responsive to the signs of our times, supports and serves the ministry of formation in religious congregations of men and women.  The Conference does this in a spirit of hope, collaboration and mutuality.

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What is our history? 

Pre-1954 – The Sister Formation movement began in the 50's when S. Mary Emil Penet IHM and others were part of a committee of NCEA (National Catholic Education Association) in which a concern was raised about adequate preparation for the ministries of young religious.  

S. Mary Emil Penet IHM

1954 – Final approval for the Sister Formation Conference (SFC) was given by the Executive Committee of the NCEA at its April 19-22 meeting in Chicago.  The Sister Formation Bulletin begun.

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1956 – Conference of Major Religious Superiors of Women’s Institutes founded (later became the Leadership Conference of Women Religious)

1964 – The Sister Formation Formation Conference (while maintaining ties with NCEA) becomes a conference under the Conference of Major Religious Superiors of Women’s Institutes under advice from the Sacred Congregation for Religious (Vatican).

1971 – The Sister Formation Conference becomes a autonomous national conference, independent of the LCWR. Regions (corresponding to the regional divisions of LCWR) were established.

1972 – Sister Formation Bulletin discontinued with the Fall 1972 issue.

1974 – InFormation, a national SFC newsletter, was published for the first time in February.  Five workshops were sponsored across the US.

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1975 – Dues appeal sent for first time directly to formation personnel.  Major superiors kept informed of SFC programs through an Annual Report.  Auxiliary membership made available to women and men, individuals and groups, non-canonical communities, secular institutes, persons outside the United States.  Six workshops sponsored by the national office took place in various locations across the US. 

1976 – The Sister Formation Conference became the Religious Formation Conference when it was broadened to include male religious and religious from non-canonical groups.

2002 – The Religious Formation Conference continues to offer programs and services to benefit ministers of formation, those in initial formation, and all members of religious institutes who are members of RFC.  These offerings include:

    • Publications of various kinds for various audiences

    • Events such as the biennial Congress, workshops in the 15 regions

    • Programs such as ForMission (two-year, distance-learning program for Directors), Orientation (annual three-day program for Directors), the summer formation workshop in collaboration with Bergamo Center, Dayton OH, the Life Commitment Program (for those approaching their final commitment).

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Who comprises our membership?*

Religious Institutes North American International Total
Of Women 324 17 341
Of Men 68 5 73
Total 392 22 414

Additional Subscribers North American International Total
Women 590 1 591
Men 136 4 140
Total 726 5 731

Auxiliary Members:
32 Vicars, Diocesan Vocation Directors, Cloistered Institutes, Libraries.

Total Membership:
1177 Religious Institutes, Additional Subscribers, Auxiliary Members.

*Statistics are for 2005, the last available year reported.

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