Devin very few would do as you did before “discerning” marriage, searching the various options with depth and sincerity and then pursuing marriage, not primarily based on the best “pairs” of body parts or something equally spiritual. As a Protestant I noticed that not only was marriage the “vocation of choice” but MANY of the students I went to Bible College with were married by their 2nd year of schooling–a great hardship when trying to pay tuition, study and the like, I might add. And the reason was very honestly, and often, “the flesh is weak” when they were pressed on the topic. In reality they were paying a high price in order for the pleasures of marriage without ever understanding the theology of the Body or any other similar teachings. The evangelical “pressure” to marry, especially for those in ministry, creates the very same kinds of cover ups that have existed within Catholicism at times and are blamed so often on celibacy! Considering that at least 2/3 of priests keep their vows until death, and 1/2 of married men do not, I wonder which is, in reality, the bigger “cover up scheme?”

I discovered your site because I am the webmaster for our own website and noticed that someone found our site through a link on yours. It has been a blessed discovery!

In the Peace, Love and Light of Christ our Risen Lord,
Graham

I would suggest doing the following:

1. Learn about different communities’ founders
2. Learn about their different charisms
3. Find ones that appeal to you
4. Visit those communities (retreats, come and see weekends, or just make an appointment
5. Pray pray pray!

Generally consider also whether you feel you are called to cloistered/monastic life, which is more contemplative and less apostolic/ministry-oriented or called to a more apostolic life where you are actively doing a ministry of helping the poor, serving the sick, teaching children, etc.

I would also look especially at communities that are thriving with young members–probably many communities in Austria are dying and will die out in the next 30 years as their members grow old and die without new vocations.