1. Do something! Make a move. One of the common difficulties is paralysis. You don’t know where to go, or fear getting sucked into something which might not turn out so well. People can remain in this state for years, and eventually it just becomes a way of life. If God is calling you to this way of life it’ll work out fine, and if not, that will become clear in the process, and you will have learned something about yourself. You learn by going down the path. You will never get anywhere if you simply try and work it out in your head. 

Contact a vocations director or speak to your parish priest. It’s a slow and testing process, and you won’t end up anywhere you don’t want to. That’s to no one’s advantage. 

2. If you are interested in secular (diocesan) priesthood, you should contact the vocations director of the diocese. His name is in the Catholic Directory, or any priest should be able to get you his details. Generally the selection process starts around December for the following September. Initially the vocations director will just talk with you, but there will follow more formal interviews and psychological screening. There will be some regular contact over the next months. In Scotland they have monthly weekends of input.  

If you are finally accepted, you either go directly to seminary in September to start studying Philosophy and Theology (six years), or you take a preparatory course called a propaedeutic year.  

3. Religious Orders have a similar process. You can contact their vocations director or indeed any member of the Order. You embark on a process of getting to know each other. You may spend a few days living with them. There will be interviews etc. The next step would be to apply for postulancy.  This is usually a year which you spend in a community, studying or working, and getting to know the particular way of life. During this time there takes place a mutual discernment on whether God is calling you to this way of life. If the decision is to go forward, then you would apply to join the Novitiate which is one or two years or intensive formation in what it is to be a religious. At the end of this period you would take your first vows of poverty, chastity and obedience. 

After this you would go on to appropriate studies. You might choose to remain a brother, or alternatively go for priesthood.  

4. You may sense a calling, but not know how to progress it. Talk to someone (sensible) about it. Praying is usually a good idea. Join a vocations group. You could join this community for a year. Part of the rationale behind the vocations discernment community is precisely to help someone clarify God’s calling.  

5. A very helpful, perhaps indispensable way to discernment is to get involved in some form of Christian action: help in the parish, or fulfil some social need. As well as being personally helpful in the discernment process, it makes one’s calling more credible to the vocations director.