Father Craig Larkin, a well known Marist priest and writer, died on Saturday, in Wellington, after a long illness.
After teaching at St Patrick’s College Silverstream for a number of years Craig went on to be involved in a wide range of ministries.
For some years he was the director of third order of the Society of Mary while also acting as its vocations director.
He then spent a number of years preaching parish missions and running school retreats.
As a retreat director he was ahead of his time in the use of audio visual presentations.
In 1977 Fr Larkin went to Rome for further studies.
On his return he joined the staff at Mount St Mary’s Seminary at Greenmeadows and then he became the novice master.
In 1990 he returned to Rome for another two years of study and on his return, became the rector of the Marist Seminary.
Fr Larkin was elected provincial leader of the New Zealand Marists in 1997 and went on to become the vicar general of the Society in 2001.
After serving for 8 years in that capacity he remained in Rome assisting with the formation of Marists responsible for the Society of Mary’s training programmes worldwide.
Fr Larkin returned to New Zealand in late 2013 after he had been diagnosed with a terminal illness.
In the course of his busy life he also found time to write a number of books on subjects related to Marist spirituality, iconography and spirituality in general.
In New Zealand possibly his best known publication is a small book, “Pardon in the Winderness”; helping people to prepare for the sacrament of reconciliation.
He had a life long interest in contemplative prayer as practiced not only by Christians but in other faiths as well.
Fr Larkin’s funeral will take place at St Teresa’s Church, Karori, Wellington on Saturday 4 July at 11am.
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