Cause for Servant of God Brother Marinus Capt. Leonard LaRue

History:

In November 2016, AOS-USA’s Immediate Past President, Fr. Sinclair Oubre, JCL, met with Rear Admiral Robert Lunney, USN, Retired. Admiral Lunney was the Staff Officer onboard the Meredith Victory with Capt. LaRue on the voyage that saved over 14,000 Korean refugees during the Hungnam Evacuation. Admiral Lunney has compiled a great deal of information on Capt. LaRue (Brother Marinus) and as a Catholic is very interested in helping us as we research the possibility of moving forward with this Cause.

A good introductory documentary for Capt. LaRue can be found at: http://shipofmiracles.com/

Where are we with this Cause?

• Fr. Sinclair brought the story of Capt. LaRue to AOS-USA's attention and asked that they consider developing a Cause for Sainthood for Capt. LaRue.
• AOS-USA passed a resolution in 2016 to endorse the effort.
• AOS-USA communicated with Fr. Samuel Kim at Saint Paul Abbey
• Fr. Sinclair visited with Admiral Lunney to learn more about Capt. LaRue's history.
• AOS-USA Board Member, Fr. Dennis Donovan, SBD, communicated with Bishop Arthur J. Serratelli STD, SSL, DD of the Diocese of Paterson, NJ to introduce the idea.
• March 12, 2017, Fr. Sinclair reached out to AOS-Korea through Soon-Ho Kim.
• April 18, 2017, Fr. Sinclair sent a letter to Bishop Serratelli requesting a meeting to speak about a possible Cause.
• By June 2017, the Cause was endorsed by:
  • AOS-USA
  • American Merchant Marine Veterans
  • Council of American Master Mariners
  • New York Council of the Navy League of the United States
  • Koreans Veterans Association (Canada)
• Bishop Serratelli sent a letter to Fr. Sinclair saying that he would sponsor the cause for Brother Marinus on May 9, 2017.
• Bishop Serratelli asked their Postulator, Dr. Silvia Correale, in Rome to represent the Cause, and she has agreed.
• Bishop Serratelli has requested the Postulator send the necessary procedures and documents in order to introduce the Cause.
• AOS-USA held an initial online meeting with several of the key players, including Admiral Lunney, Dr. Mary Mazzarrella of the Diocese of Paterson, and RJ McHatton (who produced the documentary Ship of Miracles about the SS Meredith Victory.)
• Admiral Lunney noted that he is working with a producer about a second documentary on Capt. LaRue.
• July 2017, Bishop Serratelli approved the prayer for Brother Marinus, as written by Fr. Sinclair.

Next Steps:

• Reach out to a Sister in Korea who has been praying for the cause and was a refugee on the Meredith Victory
• Reach out to AOS-Korea for closer cooperation
• Begin the process of organizing a much more intense historical study of Capt. LaRue/Brother Marinus.
• Pray! We have asked others to join us in the prayer for Capt. LaRue/Brother Marinus.

Prayer for the Cause of Captain LaRue / Brother Marinus:

God, our Father, Creator of the seas, Protector of refugees, and all those in need, You called Captain Leonard LaRue to recognize Your Son Jesus Christ in the faces of the Korean refugees, and led him as Brother Marinus to a life of prayer and service in the tradition of St. Benedict. May his life be an inspiration to us, and lead us to greater confidence in Your love so that we may continue his work of caring for the people of the sea, welcoming those who are refugees from war, and deepening all the faithful in their prayer and work of service. We humbly ask that you glorify your servant Captain Leonard LaRue/Brother Marinus on earth according to the design of your holy will. Through Christ our Lord.
AMEN

We humbly ask that you glorify your servant Captain Leonard LaRue/Brother Marinus on earth according to the design of your holy will. Through Christ our Lord.
AMEN