The number of people entering religious life in England and Wales has risen to its highest level in more than 15 years.The National Office for Vocation, part of the Bishops' Conference of England and Wales, announced this week that 53 men and women opted to become nuns, monks and friars in 2012, an increase of almost 20 in one year.
The figure is the highest since 1996, when there were 58 entrants.
The number of ordinations to the priesthood this year are also set to be the highest in over a decade with 41 men due to be ordained priests for dioceses in England and Wales.
Fr Christopher Jamison, the director of the national vocation office, said: "I think the rise in numbers reflects a change in approach by many religious communities: rather than trying to recruit them, they are now reaching out to young people and helping them to discover their vocation."