It’s not unusual to hear about a family celebrating a wedding, a new baby, or a graduation.

But in Nebraska, there’s a growing number of families celebrating something much rarer — having not just one, but two sons become Catholic priests.

In the Diocese of Lincoln, Nebraska, six families are now part of a unique spiritual legacy: raising brothers who answered the call to the priesthood.

And for the Wahlmeier family, that milestone was reached again on Saturday, May 24, with the ordination of Father Isaac Wahlmeier.

Let’s dive into their story — and others — to see how prayer, family tradition, and daily faith have shaped the lives of these remarkable men.

One Brother’s Yes Sparked Another’s Calling

When Father Isaac Wahlmeier watched his older brother Joseph enter the seminary, something clicked.

Isaac said visiting Joseph at St. Gregory the Great Seminary in Seward, Nebraska, helped the whole idea of priesthood feel more real and less far away.

Later, when he visited Joseph in Rome, it wasn’t just a sightseeing trip — it was a leap in trust.

“It gave me confidence in God’s will,” Isaac said, likening the experience to how saints inspire us through their witness.

“Seeing Joseph’s example helped me trust more in God’s love and plan for me.”

And what was Joseph’s reaction when he heard his younger brother was following in his footsteps?

“I was surprised… and not surprised,” he said with a laugh.

Like many vocations, the clarity came later, but once it did, it just “made so much sense.”

How Their Parents Laid the Foundation

Patrick and Debbie Wahlmeier aren’t new to large family life — they’ve been married for over 45 years, have 15 children, and are now grandparents to 29.

But watching two of their sons become priests? That’s a special kind of joy.

In a touching gesture, lace from Debbie’s wedding dress was sewn into the albs Isaac wore during his diaconate and priestly ordinations.

For Debbie, it was a sign that she and her husband would be with their son spiritually at every Mass he celebrates.

“I didn’t know God’s plan for my kids,” she said, “but I always prayed they would find it.”

Her go-to prayer, especially when her sons were in the seminary, was simple and full of faith: “May God’s will be done.”

Debbie believes vocations can’t be forced by parents.

“Let God make it clear to your children,” she said.

Now, seeing Isaac’s ordination, she feels it’s not only a blessing but also a reflection of how God can work through the sacrament of marriage to bear good fruit.

Love and Faith Multiply Through Every Vocation

Father Isaac sees this same beauty in the lives of his siblings who are married.

“That goodness our parents gave us — it multiplies,” he said.

“They give themselves to their families, and it helps them become more of who they’re meant to be.”

Father Joseph agrees. He remembers how his parents created what he called a “near occasion of virtue.”

They prayed the rosary together, encouraged service, and supported involvement in activities like Sky Camp and altar serving.

All of that, he believes, prepared them to hear and respond to God’s call.

Another Brotherly Duo: The Eickhoff Priests of Omaha

The story of brothers becoming priests isn’t exclusive to the Wahlmeiers.

Another family — the Eickhoffs of Omaha — have been walking a similar path for decades.

Fathers Matthew and Jeffrey Eickhoff were raised in Holy Cross Parish by their parents, Larry and Joan, who made sure faith was part of everyday life.

Whether it was attending parish missions or helping out at the rectory for a dollar an hour, church wasn’t just for Sundays — it was woven into their family culture.

“We did Stations of the Cross, retreats, rosaries — all of it,” said Father Matthew.

And these brothers bring some unexpected flair to their priesthood.

They’ve performed a music and juggling act at over 20 Catholic schools and are known for their elaborate six-course Italian meals, which they’ve auctioned off to raise funds for Catholic causes.

Sharing the Journey from Rome to Home

The Eickhoff brothers even studied in Rome at the same time.

Once a week, they’d walk to class together through the streets of the Eternal City.

Today, they celebrate their ordination anniversaries on the same day, May 27.

But what they value most? Getting to share everyday joys — baptizing nieces and nephews, celebrating sacraments with extended family, and being present for all of life’s big and small moments.

“It’s a gift to walk this path with someone so close,” said Father Matthew.

Their story offers a preview of what the Wahlmeier brothers — and other priestly siblings in the diocese — might experience as their journeys continue.

A Growing Circle of Brother Priests in Lincoln

The Wahlmeiers and Eickhoffs are just part of a growing brotherhood of priests in Lincoln. Other families with siblings in the priesthood include:

Fathers Andrew and Christian Schwenka (ordained in 2019 and 2022)
Monsignor Daniel and Fathers Mark and Leo Seiker (1987, 1984, and 1991)
Fathers Evan and Dominic Winter (2016 and 2022)
Fathers Matthew and Michael Zimmer (2011 and 2012)

And while every priest in the diocese is united by vocation, having an actual brother in the priesthood makes that connection even stronger.

“There’s a real brotherhood among priests here,” Father Joseph said.

“Having a biological brother join that makes it even more special — it strengthens that bond and helps it grow.”

A Family’s Yes Becomes a Lifelong Mission

In the end, these families remind us that vocations don’t come from nowhere.

They’re often planted in the quiet of the home, in the rhythm of prayer, in the example of generous parents, and in the encouragement of siblings who live lives of faith.

Whether it’s at the altar, the dinner table, or a juggling act in a Catholic school gym, these brothers are showing what it means to say yes — not just once, but for a lifetime.

And as their parents watch with joy, it’s clear that God’s call, when nurtured with love, can echo through generations.