A man with a green thumb

Maryknoll Brother Larry Kenning M.M. walks humbly with his God and with the people of Bolivia.  As the person in charge of the gardens and grounds at the Maryknoll Mission Center and Language Institute in Cochabamba, Larry makes God's love visible through his tender care of the earth.  So many students, visitors, and Maryknoll missioners have been impacted by Brother Kenning, as they find beauty, order, peace, and refuge in his "unsigned" artwork.  I was fortunate to meet and spend some time with this unassuming, gracious missioner who always had hospitality of heart for shared time, stories, fruits of his garden, and his poetry.

Although, in truth, I had forgotten his name, Brother Larry the person has always been in my prayers and thoughts because he made such a strong impression on me.  He just seemed to embody the firmness and reliability and steadiness of the grounds and earth he tended.  He was also kind and nurturing to the many "friends" his mission brought to him and would bring them “good news,” visiting them with understanding and love. Among those he visits are children in a residential school two hours outside Cochabamba.  He goes three days a week to 'be with' both the kids and the houseparents, sharing his calm and wisdom in the turbulence of poverty and puberty.  Brother Larry lives his life in active non-violence, fashioning a holistic and faith based life as did Ghandi. He works with nature, trees, earth and in his humility, effects the cosmos.

Brother Kenning is not a church builder, nor keynote speaker, nor "cover story" on any magazine. His is a quiet service being rendered to his brothers and sisters in great simplicity. He is an advisor to the AA program in the city and promotes it throughout Bolivia. The saying, "Preach the Gospel at all times, use words if necessary,” is attributed to St. Francis.  Brother Kenning’s mission more truly fulfills St. Francis’s actual written words: “Let all the brothers, however, preach by their deeds.” Brother Kenning seldom needs words, but his poetry is another gift.  Thank you Brother Larry.

by Maryknoll Affiliate Veronica Gilligan – Long Island