“What are you looking for?”
This is the question that Christ asks the first disciples, followers of John the Baptist who were searching for something more than what the world had to offer. And it is the question at the heart of Great & Little: The Legionary Journey, a new discernment resource by Fr. Joseph Brickner, LC.
Written especially for young men beginning to explore God’s will for their lives, Great & Little offers personal reflections, practical guidance, and an authentic introduction to Legionary life.
Looking for Something More
In the book’s opening pages, Fr. Joseph reflects on his own vocation story. As a college student, he found himself increasingly dissatisfied with the lack of purpose in the lives of those around him. Time and again, the question arose in his heart: What are you looking for?
Through prayer, devotion to Mary, the Eucharist, and encounters with friends and family who challenged him to take God’s call seriously, Fr. Joseph gradually recognized that what he was ultimately looking for was Christ himself. Now, as a Legionary priest and one of the vocation directors for the Legionaries of Christ in North America, Fr. Joseph regularly accompanies young men at various stages throughout the discernment journey.
And while there are many resources available for Legionaries already in formation, Fr. Joseph saw the need for something specifically designed for those taking their first steps in discernment. The result is Great & Little, a concise and approachable guide that invites readers to discover the heart of Legionary life, deepen their friendship with Christ, and explore God’s call.
“A lot of young men are interested in our way of life and want to know us better."
says Fr. Joseph.
"They want to know how we walk with God and what kind of mission Christ has asked of us.”
Great and Little
For Fr. Joseph, the title of the book sums up the vocation to the Legionary life; the call to be a missionary priest is an invitation to an exciting adventure, but one that requires humility, self-giving, and trust.
“God has such an amazing plan for us; truly a great plan! Yet we need to recognize that God is God, and we are called to give him his rightful place. After all, he is the one who loved us into existence.”
In his role as vocation director, Fr. Joseph has accompanied many young men through the discernment process, and has witnessed both the beauty and the challenges of responding to God’s call in today’s culture. And although discernment may have changed over the years, the essence of the journey remains the same.
“It wasn’t easy to leave plans, boat, and nets 2000 years ago, and it isn’t easy today. But it is Christ who calls, grace is real, and God is all-powerful. People continue to hear the call and respond.”
Sharing the Invitation
Reflecting on the many unexpected ways he has seen God reach people, like through a simple flier, a social media post, or a providential encounter, Fr. Joseph hopes that Great & Little will find its way into the hands of those who are searching for an answer to that great question: What are you looking for?
“The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.”
Find Out More
We each have a vocation. We are all called to change the world in some way by living our God-given identity and purpose. To learn more about the process of discovering God’s will, visit legionariesofchrist.org/discernment.
