The vocation to a secular institute is not well known in the American Church. Worldwide secular institutes have increased from near 40 in 1950 to 170 in 1994, with over 60,000 members. Within the United States, Church-approved institutes have increased from seven in the late 1950s to 27 today.

Adjusting to a Secular Institute Lifestyle is a monograph which outlines, discusses, and analyzes  the findings of a comprehensive study commissioned by the United States Conference on Secular Institutes (USCSI). An ad hoc research committee, which included secular institute members - Reverend John Lorenz, IHJ, Associate Pastor, St. Augustine, Des Moines, IA; Dr. Helen St. Denis, C.C., Catholic University of America, Washington, DC; and Dr. C. Joseph O'Hara - was established by the USCSI and directed to develop a research proposal, a questionnaire, and an interview guide to collect data from members of secular institutes in the United States. The study was designed to examine the effects the institutes with European origins have on their branches in the United States.

The survey data consists of member responses from the seven largest American secular institutes. The survey sample included consecrated lay women (both interns and externs) and diocesan priests who are members of secular institutes. Members have a wide range of backgrounds and areas of expertise. Education levels (including many advanced degrees) and types of employment (including administrators, health care professionals, educators, writers, artists, pastoral ministers, secretaries, and members of the military) of institute members vary widely.

By analyzing the responses, the researchers were able to identify how the life of secular institute members is actually being lived in the world through the three main elements of the secular institute vocation: secularity, consecration, and apostolate. The findings suggest the issue of inculturation is of less significance than anticipated. Rather, the data indicate the need to make the vocation better known to both Church leaders and the laity.

The findings clearly indicate the need for secular institute members to continue a dialogue with various Church groups and the larger Catholic community. It is important that secular institute members be given the opportunity to communicate the meaning of consecrated secularity to various members in the Church, especially to single lay people who may discover that the vocation (this way of life) is the one to which God is calling them.

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