The Problem & The Solution
The Problem:
- There are an estimated 10,000 individuals discerning a vocation to the priesthood or religious life in the US annually
- 42% are blocked from pursuing this call due to education loans*
- The average vocational ‘aspirant’ in Labouré owes $60,000 in education loans
- Most religious communities cannot assume this debt
- Most dioceses will allow some debt but have a limited threshold for acceptance
*(NRVC, Vision Study, 2010)
The Solution: The Labouré Society
- Works with each aspirant to ensure all personal means are utilized to mitigate the loan amount (loan consolidation, asset review, financial counseling, employment, etc.) prior to acceptance into the program
- Trains each aspirant in biblically-based philanthropy
- Forms multiple classes of aspirants annually
- Mentors each aspirant to build a unified team; each individual works toward the collective goal
- Provides ongoing accountability to ensure proper preparation and completion of personal fundraising plans
- Equips each aspirant with an online fundraising platform for real-time donation processing, reporting,
assessment of goals and class interaction, marketing and communications - Facilitates ongoing communication and updates between aspirants and donors after formation entrance
- Manages aspirant award payments while they are in formation
- Completes award payout after 3 years active formation
Our Aspirants
- Discern a vocation and are accepted into a diocese or religious community
- Are blocked from entering or continuing vocational formation due to student loans
- Apply to Labouré and meet intake requirements
- Are trained in ethical fundraising – empowered with practical tools, personal mentoring, and accountability
- Share their vocation stories and participate in building a culture of vocations and evangelization
- Raise funds for Labouré to benefit many vocations
- Are awarded monthly payments toward their education loans
- Receive final award payout after three years and enter freely into a lifetime of service as a priest, sister, or brother