NAPLES, FL — July 16, 2025 —

A groundbreaking new report released by the Center for Applied Research in the Apostolate (CARA), Impact of Mary, Mother of the Church, on Ecclesial Vocations, reveals something profound: devotion to Mary has deeply influenced the vocational journeys of a majority of U.S. clergy and religious. Nearly 60% of those surveyed—bishops, priests, deacons, and major superiors—shared that Marian devotion shaped their initial sense of calling. Even more—nearly 90%—say that devotion to Mary strengthens how they live out their vocation today.

This research affirms what Catholics have long understood intuitively: Mary is not only a tender intercessor, but a powerful guide in discerning—and persevering in—one’s life’s calling.

At Ave Maria School of Law, we recognize that vocation is not limited to the sanctuary or convent. As our founder, Tom Monaghan—who also founded Domino’s Pizza—frequently says, “Next to priests and consecrated religious, lawyers are the most influential leaders in our country.” It’s a bold statement, but one that underscores the spiritual and social responsibility of those who study law with moral conviction.

Ave Maria School of Law was founded as a Catholic institution committed to more than academic excellence. We seek to form lawyers whose lives reflect the objective moral truths rooted in the natural law—truths that uphold the dignity of every human person. For us, law is not merely a profession; it is a vocation, an extension of a life lived in harmony with the Gospel and the teachings of the Church.

In this light, devotion to Mary takes on new relevance. The same qualities that draw clergy and religious closer to their vocations—humility, courage, fidelity, and a profound openness to God’s will—are also essential in the legal profession, especially for those called to advocate for truth and justice in a secular world.

The CARA report found that the rosary, pilgrimages, Marian art, and spiritual reading played central roles in nurturing vocations. These practices can serve future Catholic lawyers as well. At Ave Maria Law, many of our students and alumni find strength in Marian devotion as they navigate rigorous legal studies, ethical challenges, and the demands of professional life. Mary, the Seat of Wisdom, offers a model of contemplative insight paired with decisive action—an ideal patroness for those who seek to practice law with virtue.

We believe this report serves as a timely reminder: the same spiritual resources that sustain vocations to religious life are available—and transformative—for the next generation of Catholic lawyers. As Mary said at Cana, “Do whatever He tells you.” Those words are not just for priests or sisters—they’re for each of us, especially those entrusted with the power and responsibility of the law.

At Ave Maria School of Law, we continue to walk with Mary as we form legal professionals who will serve with integrity, compassion, and unwavering faith.

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