EXPLORING THE CALL

This is My Why

Discernment Process

Tool Kit Discernment Groups

Take a step into the discernment journey with other young men with a Christ-centered, Scripture-based weekly online group that offers discernment tools.  Six sessions, from Mid-October to mid-November. 

Contact:  Fr Joseph jbrickner@legionaries.org

Aspirancy Program

If a young man is open to the possibility of entering the candidacy program during the upcoming summer, he should consider joining the Legionaries of Christ Aspirancy Program. The Aspirancy is a time to deepen in the understanding of the charism of the congregation and Regnum Christi alongside other aspirants.

Who is the aspirancy program for?

    • High school seniors (with parental permission)
    • University seniors and select undergraduates
    • Men working off financial debt
    • Men wanting to experience the Legion and Regnum Christi charism, community, and apostolate
    • Men needing time and guidance to strengthen certain habits and form virtues
    • Men taking firm initial steps before Candidacy

Hear from participants in the Aspirancy Program

Meet Fr. Joseph: Director of the Aspirancy Program

"God is forming me into the man He's calling me to be."

"I felt like I was lacking in a sense that I had as a missionary."

"I know that I am not alone in walking my path towards God."

Candidacy Program

The candidacy program is a two-month summer program designed to discern whether God seems to be calling a man to be a priest with the Legionaries of Christ. Because community is so essential in the life of a Legionary of Christ, the candidates live together during this program in Cheshire, Connecticut.

They live like a Legionary: following a disciplined lifestyle and schedule, engaging in community life, attending courses, sports, and apostolate, and strengthening their prayer and sacramental life as a band of brothers seeking to follow God’s will.

Steps to enter the candidacy program:

    • Request a Candidacy application (If the man and the Vocation Director agree)
    • In-depth interview (if not completed earlier)
    • Provide letters of recommendation
    • Undergo criminal background check
    • Complete medical exams
    • If a call to enter the novitiate is discerned, a pre-seminary psychological exam and interview with the director of novices will be required.

Hear from participants in the 2025 Candidacy program

2023 Candidates' final week: silent retreat and reception of the cassock

Legionaries of Christ Novitiate

The novitiate is traditionally known among Legionaries as “the University where you study Christ.” It is a period marked by a particular separation from the world as the novice has limited access to internet and no cellphone or use of social media. This atmosphere allows him to hear the Lord speaking within his soul in order to discern his vocation as well as lay the foundation of a solid interior life, without which his future apostolate will be fruitless. The novice is systematically instructed in the spirituality of the Legionaries of Christ, the history of the Legion, human formation, and the theology of the vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience. After two years, the novitiate ends with the first profession of vows which he makes for 2 years.

Discover Your Why

We each have a vocation. We are all called to change the world in some way by living our God-given identity and purpose. Finding your vocation involves a profound commitment to following God’s unique call for you, and it requires intentional effort and prayer to understand.

The process of discovering God’s will for our lives is known as vocational discernment.

Upcoming Events

Build Self-Awareness

Know yourself—your strengths, weaknesses, desires, spiritual maturity, and your mental and physical health. Understanding yourself well helps you hear how God is calling you to serve him.

Be Rooted in the Faith

A strong man needs a solid foundation. Dive deep into the teachings of the Catholic Church. As you understand and embrace the Faith more deeply, God’s voice becomes clearer in leading you toward your vocation.

Know the Different Vocations

Understand the vocations—the life of a layperson in the world, either married, single, or consecrated; the ordained life of bishops, priests, and deacons; and the consecrated religious life. Learn what each entails and discover where your gifts and heart align with God’s plan.

Engage with Endurance & Trust

Discernment is a marathon, not a sprint. True strength lies in patience and persistence, trusting that God reveals His will in His perfect time. Keep praying, studying, and waiting with courage

Seek Brotherhood and Guidance

No man walks alone. Seek the wisdom of a priest or spiritual director who can challenge and support you as you uncover God’s plan.

2025 Ordination to the Priesthood

On Saturday, May 3, 2025, at 10:00 am (Rome local time), 23 Legionaries of Christ were ordained to the priesthood. The future priests come from Mexico, Brazil, France, Colombia, Argentina, Spain, the United States, El Salvador, Germany and Venezuela.

The ceremony which took place in the Papal Basilica of St. Paul’s Outside the Walls (Rome) was celebrated by Mgr Pedro Pablo Elizondo, L.C.

Fr. Joseph Brickner

Vocation Director

Texas, Louisiana

Fr. José Helio Cantú 

Vocation Coordinator

Yonkers, NY

Fr. Ronald Conklin 

Vocation Coordinator

Indiana

Fr. Martin Connor

National Vocation Director

New England, Detroit

Fr. Vito Crincoli

Vocation Coordinator

Washington DC

Fr. Robert DeCesare

Vocation Director

Heartland, Chicago

Fr. Simon Devereux  

Vocation Coordinator

San Jose

Fr. Lorenzo Gomez

Vocation Coordinator

Los Angeles

Fr. Christopher Gronotte 

Admissions

Sacred Heart Apostolic School

Fr. Juan José Hernández 

Vocation Coordinator

Duke University

Fr. John Klein 

College Chaplain

GA Tech, UGA

Fr. Jeremy Lambert

YA RC Section Director

New Orleans

Fr. Kenneth LeBlanc

Vocation Coordinator

Western Canada

Fr. Luis Lorenzo

YA RC Section Director

Manila

Fr. Fergal Ó Dúill

Vocation Coordinator

Dallas 

Fr. Benjamin O’Loughlin

YA RC Section Director

Philadelphia

Fr. Andres Orellana

YA RC Section Director

San Jose, CA

Fr. David Parker

Vocation Coordinator

Houston 

Fr. Vinh Pham

vocation director

Ohio & Northern California

Fr. Ryan Richardson

College Chaplain

Benedictine College

Fr. Nicholas Sheehy

College Chaplain

North Carolina State

Fr. Paul Silva

Admissions

Sacred Heart Apostolic School

Fr. Jason Smith 

Vocation Coordinator

Detroit

Fr. Markus Stehmer

vocation director

Mid Atlantic Area

Fr. Brett Taira 

College Chaplain

Benedictine College

Fr. Bernardo Torres

Vocation Coordinator

Cheshire, CT

Fr. John VanDorpe 

Vocation Director

Southeast, Atlanta

Fr. Joshua West

College Chaplain

North Carolina State

Fr. Adam Zettel 

Vocation Coordinator

Eastern Canada 

If you have questions about vocations or life as a Legionary feel free to reach out to vocation@lccheshire.org.
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