UD community mourns death of priest who taught for 50 years

A Mass of Christian Burial was held Thursday evening, but the event was private because of coronavirus concerns. The Mass was livestreamed on YouTube.

There was a public visitation, including coronavirus restrictions, earlier Thursday at Queen of Apostles Chapel, Mount St. John, 4435 E. Patterson Road.

According to the UD obituary, contributions in Burns’ name can be made through the Marianist Mission, or to the Father Burns Scholarship Fund.

Reactions on social media to the news of Burns’ death universally praise him, with UD President Eric Spina calling Burns “a legend,” and commenters praising him and his teaching.

During Burns’ time with the university, Spina said Burns taught more than 27,000 students, in particular through his popular “Christian Marriage” course. For 25 years, Burns also hosted a local radio program called “Challenge of Modern Day Marriage” on WVUD-FM, and according to UD’s obituary for him, frequently performed weddings.

Burns was a native of Cleveland, and attended the Cathedral Latin School in nearby Chardon, Ohio, before joining the Marianist society. He would be a member of the Marianists for 77 years, earning a doctor of sacred theology from the Pontifical University of St. Thomas Aquinas in Rome and a licentiate in sacred theology from the University of Fribourg.