“Jesus answering said: Amen I say to you, there is no man who hath left house or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or children, or lands, for my sake and for the gospel, who shall not receive an hundred times as much, now in this time; houses, and brethren, and sisters, and mothers, and children, and lands, with persecutions: and in the world to come, life everlasting” (Mark 10:29-30).
So much for q. 2. If you believe in Christ, believe what he is telling you in these verses. It is the truth.
As to q. 1, cultivating a vocation is a long process. I would particularly recommend beginning to learn to pray the divine office, perhaps by getting yourself a copy of the book ‘Christian Prayer’ as a good starting point. The divine office is the prayer of the church, and by uniting yourself to it, you will both learn to grow closer to the church, and better resist the temptations of the world. If you do become a priest or a brother, it will be a part of your life forever, and even as a layman (as I am), it can be extremely edifying to pray it.
Read, read, read, about the lives of the saints, the history of the church. Perhaps start learning Latin if you have the opportunity. Also learn about the various religious orders and their charisms, and if possible try visiting some (for a retreat, etc.), to learn more about their life.
Above all, listen to God. Listen to what the Holy Spriit is asking of you, in particular. There are many, many ways to live the Christian life in holiness. Learn to listen, to truly hear which one God is asking you to follow. Then follow that path with all your heart.
