The call to priesthood or religious life is just one expression of vocation. Every baptised Catholic has a vocation—a personal call from God. Just as each person is uniquely created, so too is each vocation uniquely tailored by God. The Second Vatican Council was a pivotal moment for the Church, affirming the identity and mission of the laity and emphasising the universal call to holiness. All baptised Catholics, whether priests, married, religious, or single, are called to become saints. The vocation of the laity is not lesser or second-class compared to priesthood or religious life; it is simply a distinct and equally vital path in God’s plan.

In their book, Personal Vocation: God Calls Everyone by Name, Germain Grisez and Russell Shaw state “Not only does everyone in the Church have a vocation, but everyone lives in a complex, rich vocational context”. They go on to explain that “Vocation” has three distinct senses, which are applicable to every Catholic. There are no exceptions. As the authors state, with emphasis added:

1. First is the vocation to be a Christian and to live the truth of one’s faith. Thus, this is the calling to love God, love neighbour, do one’s part to bring about the kingdom of God, and participate in the mission of the Church, which is Jesus’ primary means for continuing his redemptive activity throughout history. But now with our help: “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, to the close of the age” (Mt 28:19).
2. Next is vocation in the sense of state of life: the priesthood, consecrated life organized by the practice of the evangelical counsels (chastity, poverty, obedience), the married state, and so on. In everyday speech, state of life also commonly refers to things like a person’s work and whether he or she is married or single. But, one author notes, “for a Christian, the term should have a much richer meaning, for it implies a position in life that a person holds not by accident or even by simple personal preference, but essentially by a divine choice, within a plan of love drawn up by God.” When people speak of vocation, they often mean state of life and are referring to priesthood and consecrated life, as if these were the only vocations — or at least the only ones that count.
3. Finally, vocation in the sense of personal vocation. This is the unique, unrepeatable role God calls each baptized person to play in carrying out the all-embracing divine plan. As state of life is a specification of the fundamental Christian vocation, so personal vocation is a further specification of both of the above — the fundamental calling to love God and neighbour that comes with baptism and the special network of commitments, relationships, and responsibilities characteristic of a particular state of life. Personal vocation extends to the whole of life: it takes in all one’s circumstances — strengths and weaknesses, talents and disabilities, existing commitments and obligations — and requires that all one’s choices be made in their light. (Grisez, Germain, and Russell Shaw. Personal Vocation: God Calls Everyone by Name. Trinity Communications, 2003.)

So the real issue at the heart of the title question is vocational discernment. To you to discern: Have I embraced my primary calling to be a disciple of Jesus Christ, and to live in obedience to him? What is my state of life vocational call? If it is not to priesthood or religious life, and I am not married then it is to faithfully live the single life. What is my personal vocation? What is my unique call from God, that only I can fulfil? Check out what the Popes have said about Personal Vocation

You can begin the process of vocational discernment by using our Personal Vocation Questionnaire