Growing up in the Midwest and Growing into your Vocation - Fr. Joseph Brickner

From the soybeans of Northern Ohio to the Eternal City of Rome, Fr. Joseph Brickner, LC story is a testament to God’s patient and persistent love revealed little by little through the simplicity of ordinary life. Today, Fr. Joseph serves as the Aspirancy Program Director for the Legionaries of Christ, walking alongside men discerning their own paths to the priesthood and religious life.

A Simple Beginning in Ohio’s Fields

Fr. Joseph describes his childhood as “Narnia-like,” a simple, peaceful upbringing surrounded by farmland and family. The middle child with two sisters, he found joy in backyard adventures, tending to a vegetable garden, and roaming the woods with his dog, Smokey. His family’s faith was steadfast and humble—they never missed Sunday Mass, and their lives were steeped in a deep awareness of God’s providence.

The church bells tolling the Angelus from a mile away served as a constant reminder of God’s presence amidst the responsibilities, joys, and difficulties of life. “It just fostered in a boy’s heart the ability to connect with God,” Fr. Joseph recalls. Those formative years instilled in him a childlike trust in God, a gift he has carried throughout his life.

A God of Particular Love

Fr. Joseph’s path to priesthood wasn’t straightforward. During his college years at Bowling Green University, he envisioned a future teaching history, coaching sports, and supporting youth ministry with a good Catholic wife by his side. Yet, God had other plans.

An unexpected encounter with his cousin, who attended daily Mass on campus, sparked a transformation. “It made me reflect—if I really believe Christ is present in the Eucharist, why wouldn’t I go to daily Mass?” Fr. Joseph’s devotion grew, nourished by daily Mass, the Rosary, and Eucharistic Adoration.

In a moment of prayer before the Blessed Sacrament, he heard God’s question: “Do you really want to know what I want from you?” That question lingered, initiating years of discernment, self-doubt, and prayer.

The Role of Encouragement

Fr. Joseph credits the encouragement of others for helping him take steps forward in his discernment. A local family noticed his deep faith and asked, “Have you ever thought about being a priest?” That question, though simple, validated his discernment and gave him the courage to visit the Legionaries of Christ in Connecticut.

Though his initial visit was unremarkable, the call never left his heart. “I fought it for three years,” he admits, “but eventually, I knew God was calling me.”

Formation and Beyond

Fr. Joseph’s journey of formation took him across continents, from novitiate in Connecticut to studies in New York, Spain, and Rome.

For Fr. Joseph, simplicity remains at the heart of his charism. “The Gospel is the Gospel,” he says. “Christ is our Savior. God’s love is inexhaustible. It’s that simple.”

Words of Encouragement

To those discerning a vocation, Fr. Joseph offers this advice: “Don’t be afraid. Take a step. God’s not out to make life miserable—He’s out to lead you to joy.”

His story reminds us that God is a patient gardener, tenderly nurturing each soul in its unique journey. Through trials and blessings, Fr. Joseph has experienced firsthand the depth of God’s love, and he invites us all to trust in that same love.

Learn more about Fr. Joseph’s story and the lives of other priests on the Tabella Catholic App. Let their journeys inspire your own! Listen on the app today.