This article discusses the social conditions of production of a group of professionals of the Catholic Church in the Brazilian State of Rio Grande do Sul during the 20th century, based on the apprehension of the phenomenon of a "seedbed of vocations". By studying the complex religious investments made by the Church in framing populations from rural or semirural areas, composed by very large and deeply religious families, which lack important social resources, the analysis brings to light a system of objective factors acting in the production of abundant religious "vocations" in individuals with fairly homogeneous social properties. The combination of subtle, euphemistic tasks in the making of subjective perceptions on religion, vocation and the opportunities offered by religious life is also subject of analysis through the exam of a series of reports by religious professionals on their experiences and commitments in the process of religious conversion.
Catholic Church; religious vocation; social reproduction
