Dear Patrick,

One reality you shouldnt forget in your search is so obvious that we easily overlook it God. He is the one who calls. God created you, and when did he had in mind something he wanted you to be and something he wanted you to do, and that is your vocation in life. He knows your circumstances.

I think this simple truth gives great confidence and trust when we start to search concretely to find the path he wants us to follow. Your vocation is a reality that already exists, God has something in mind for you, and now that you have decided to try to find out what it is, he is going to be speaking in your soul and heart, he is going to walk with you in your search. As a matter of fact, your thoughts and willingness to search are the beginnings of your answer to Gods word that is active in your heart.  The obstacles will not be impossible to overcome, unless we think that God will suddenly start working against what he wants!

Now, with this in mind lets get back to your question.

It seems you are inclining toward religious life even though you know the real need there is in the Church for diocesan priests. You are also very clear on the fact that you want to be a priest who is faithful to the Church, and that you need training.

You need to use intelligently all the means you have at hand to find out your call.

Most importantly, you have Christ himself, present in the Eucharist. Go to him often, receive him often, talk to him, offer yourself to him, renew your trust in him. And also go to him in the Sacrament of Reconciliation, where you will remove the obstacles inside your spirit (attachments, lack of trust, habits, weaknesses, etc) that make it more difficult to hear and accept what he is telling you.

Then, check out the orders you have heard about on the internet. Maybe there is already one that interests or fascinates you more than others. Start there. Get in touch with them. Find out about their spirit and formation. If you find that what you are hearing strikes a chord in you dont go looking for others, keep following through as long as everything stacks up. When you have questions, ask them. Ask as many as possible and take a good look at the answers.

You will at some stage need to visit the order you are thinking of. If its seminaries are far away from where you live you may want to ask them if they have any priests living and working closer to your home, so as to meet and talk with one of them first. In any case, you will need to visit one of their communities in order to get a more direct feel for their charism and life, and in that way to test your vocation by seeing if it feels like your family (which doesnt mean to say that to have a vocation there the life should seem easy to you).

You will also need to start saving, because we live in the real world and there will be practical things to take care of in order to follow your vocation when the time comes, whether it be travel to visit the seminary or to actually enter, clothes you will need, etc.., all depending on the particular order you wish to join.

God bless.