Father Larry Brunette reflects on journey from widower to priesthood at age 84
Father Larry Brunette shared his personal story of loss, discernment, and late vocation in a statement released on Mar. 24. After the death of his wife Barbara in 1994, Brunette said he found solace and clarity through visits to her grave, which eventually led him to pursue his lifelong dream of becoming a Catholic priest.
Brunette’s experience highlights the varied paths individuals may take toward religious vocations. His journey also reflects the Diocese of Springfield in Illinois’ encouragement of vocations to priesthood and religious life, as reported by the official website.
Brunette described how childhood aspirations resurfaced after decades spent as a husband, father, and technology professional. “As far as I can remember, I always wanted to be a priest. Like the pope, I used to play Mass in my bedroom,” he said. He recalled marrying Barbara at Little Flower Catholic Church in Springfield and raising three children together before her passing due to heart complications after years suffering from psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis.
Following Barbara’s death, Brunette resigned from his corporate position and entered Pope St. John XXIII National Seminary near Boston in 1996. He was ordained on May 29, 1999 at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception with his children accompanying him down the aisle—a moment he called historic for their family.
Brunette has served several parishes since ordination—including assignments at Ss. Peter and Paul Parish in Collinsville and Holy Family Parish in Granite City—and continues assisting parishes today at age 84 while residing near Chicago. “Everything! It’s the most fulfilling job I have ever had in my life,” he said about being a priest.
His background as a married man who later became a priest has drawn many parishioners seeking guidance shaped by lived experience: “Ever since I was ordained, people have come to me precisely because of my background.”
The Diocese of Springfield supports these efforts through education initiatives across its region—spanning 28 counties with support for 129 parishes—while maintaining key facilities such as the Catholic Pastoral Center according to its official website (https://dio.org/catholictimes/catholic-times-news/). Bishop Thomas John Paprocki currently leads these efforts for central and southern Illinois.
Reflecting on perseverance through loss and faith-driven decisions later in life, Father Brunette concluded: “My story is filled with love for God and family, coping with loss, persevering in whatever your heart directs you to do, and practicing self-reflection for a calling.”
