Sitting at his desk at Saint Joseph School in Orange, California, nine-year-old Larry Moen listened intently as one of the nuns spoke about the life of Saint Martin de Porres, the Peruvian saint who dedicated his life to humility and service to others. “I wanted to be like him because he was so caring toward other people, and he was so active in helping others.”
It’s been 60 years since Brother Larry, CMF, took his vows, and his mission and conviction remain steadfast. His smile and his love for God are contagious.
From a Yes to a Life of Devotion
From that moment in religion class, his vocation was very clear: he wanted to enter religious life. The home where he grew up was near the Claretian seminary in Rancho Dominguez, and every time he rode by on his bike, he would see the seminary and say, “I’m going to go there.” So he approached the Claretian Missionaries, who guided him toward his decision to say “yes” to God by becoming a Claretian brother
“That’s what I wanted all my life. I wanted to be close to God and to be able to help other people become close to God.”
Today, Brother Larry serves at St. Gabriel Mission, where the Claretians have served since 1908. The vibrant community life is what he cherishes and enjoys: “All the parishioners are so caring and kind to me, and I love living there.”
Sixty Years of Loving Service
Brother Larry’s life has been filled with service to others, just as he dreamed of as a child. He has worked as a hospital chaplain and as a counselor for prisoners and people struggling with addiction. He continues both ministries to this day.
“Looking back over the past six decades, I’ve learned that no matter the crisis, with God’s help, the situation can change. Every human being craves and needs the dignity of being heard and remembered as a child of God—deserving of mercy and forgiveness.”
Brother Larry understands that people in difficult situations usually have a void inside themselves, and that they must fill that void to heal—“The only thing they can fill that void with is God and Jesus.” His caring approach works. “Just being there with them and trying to help them figure out their lives,” he reflects. “I talk with them and try to tell them there’s a better way of life.”
His own life experiences have helped to shape his ministry. He knows firsthand what it’s like to battle addiction. His father was an alcoholic and that gave him the experience and sensitivity to work with people struggling with addiction. Drawn to that spiritual need, Brother Larry has been able to make a difference by changing people’s lives. “I’ve helped a lot of people struggling with drugs and alcohol to overcome that terrible disease.”
As a chaplain, Brother Larry is often present when people are dying. He brings them Holy Communion. “It’s a very difficult time in their lives,” he reflects, “and I try to help them resolve any issues they have so they can have a peaceful passing.”
As for his future plans, he would like to continue working for at least the next year, serving at the hospital and caring for the sick and dying. Like Saint Martin de Porres, Brother Larry is living out his belief that all people deserve dignity and compassion as children of God—and he shares that love one person at a time.
