Obituary of Bro. Paul E. Llorens, S.M.M.

Brother Paul Llorens, S.M.M., a Montfort Missionary, died September 16 at Maria Regina Residence in Brentwood, N.Y. The son of the late Ezechiel and Agnes (Dupre) Llorens, he was 80 years old, a professed Montfort Brother for 60 years. Descendent of a Louisiana Cajun heritage, Paul was born in Natchitoches, Louisiana. After his family moved to New York City, he attended St. Ann’s Academy High School, entering the Montfort Missionaries in 1956. Completing Novitiate in Harford City, Indiana, Br. Paul professed his temporary vows in 1958 and his perpetual vows in 1963.

Br. Paul exercised his ministry entirely on Long Island, in the Dioceses of Rockville Centre and Brooklyn. From 1958 till 1979 he worked in Bay Shore in various capacities at Montfort Publications. In 1979 he assisted at the Shrine of Our Lady of the Island in Eastport, and in 1980 he began a 35 year ministry at St. Mary Gate of Heaven Parish in Ozone Park, N.Y. Over those years, Br. Paul’s service spanned the full range of pastoral ministry. As an extraordinary minister of the Eucharist, he loved to bring Holy Communion to the sick and homebound. He was a member of the parish choir, a lector and sang at weekday liturgies. Paul was a dedicated member of the RCIA Team, mentoring adult converts for baptism and full communion with the Church. He was an artist, supplying images and designs for various Montfort Publications.

Across his 60 years of ministry, Br. Paul echoed the lives of the first brothers who followed St. Louis Marie de Montfort, their love for Jesus and Mary, their joy in catechizing, preparing liturgies and celebrations, leading songs and prayer services. Not blessed with robust health, Paul nevertheless continued to work at St. Mary Gate of Heaven Parish until 2015, when he retired to the Montfort Missionary Residence at Bay Shore. These past two years he was a resident at Maria Regina Residence in Brentwood, blessed with fine care and a loving religious environment. He was predeceased by his parents and by his brothers Anthony and Elmo, and his sisters Dorothy and Annette. He is survived by many nieces and nephews and most especially his niece Betty Di Bona.

Wake Saturday, September 22 from 9:00 AM until 10:30 AM at the Montfort Spiritual Center, 26 S. Saxon Avenue, Bay Shore, NY 11706. Mass of the Resurrection at Montfort Spiritual Center on Saturday September 22 at 10:45 AM. Interment to follow at St. Patrick's Cemetery, Bay Shore, NY.

As St. Louis de Montfort wrote the first brothers and priests who followed him: “Fear not, little flock, because it has pleased the Father to bestow a kingdom on you... I hold you in my hands, little Company, says our Eternal Father. I have graven you on my heart and on the palms of my hands in order to cherish and defend you because you have put your trust in me...” May the Lord and his Mother now receive our brother, Paul, into the joy of the heavenly feast.