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Fr. Ed Burns, SJ (1925-2010)
Canadian Jesuits International mourns the loss of Father Edgar P. Burns SJ 26 April 1925 - 17 May 2010 "The flame that burnt with love joined the eternal flame of everlasting love"
It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of Fr Edgar Burns SJ. He died on 17 May 2010 in Darjeeling, India, of heart failure, at the age of 85. Fr Burns began his mission in Darjeeling, India, in 1951 as a teacher at St Joseph's College, North Point. He is best known for founding Hayden Hall Social Centre in 1969 and was its director until 2009. His funeral was held in Darjeeling on Wednesday 19 May and started with a short prayer service in Hayden Hall, followed by a funeral procession through the town. According to Fr. John Susai Kennedy SJ, who has succeeded Fr. Burns as director of Hayden Hall, "the entire town came to a stand-still, shops were closed, roads were cleared, vehicular traffic was held up, and the people were lined up on either side of the road. It was so wonderful to see, it is a witness to the life Fr. Burns lived and the Life he would embrace." The Mass which was at St. Joseph's School gymnasium hall was attended by over a thousand people. Bishops Stephen Lepcha, Clement and Thomas, respectively of the Darjeeling, Jailpaiguri and Bagdoghara dioceses, presided over the Mass. There were nearly 60 priests, hundreds of religious sisters, and above all the people whom Fr. Burns loved and helped were there with tears in their eyes. Fr. Gerard Van Walleghem SJ, gave the homily and the burial ceremony was conducted by Fr. Papadil.
Father Burns who was born in Montreal, began his mission in Darjeeling, India in 1951 as an English professor at St. Joseph's College, North Point. While at North Point, in response to the great needs of the survivors of the landslides and fires in the Darjeeling area in 1969, Fr. Burns along with several of his students provided humanitarian aid to the communities affected. This led to the creation of a basic shelter housing program which eventually gave rise to the birth of the Hayden Hall Social Centre which Fr. Burns directed until 2009. It was this same spirit of service that moved Fr. Burns during his time as Regional Superior of the Darjeeling Jesuits to support the establishment of Jesu Ashram under Brother Bob Mittleholtz in 1971. Jesu Ashram, a hospice for the treatment of people with Leprosy, HIV/AIDS and TB has gone on to treat an average of 350 people annually. For over four decades, Hayden Hall which Fr. Burns directed until late 2009 has served some of the poorest people in the Darjeeling area with a number of initiatives including a Small Scheme Savings and Loans program, health programs that include long-term rehabilitation, pre and post-natal care and paramedic training for village health workers. It also offers income generating programs, skills training, and education programs including daycare and scholarships for girls and the most vulnerable students. Fr. Edgar's work brought him into contact with many people including Mother Teresa of Calcutta and Mr. Rajeev Gandhi, late prime minister of India. We are very grateful for the gift of his life, and his dedication to the cause of the poor and those most in need. His life and work were supported over many years by hundreds of friends in Canada and all over the world, through visits, letters, phone calls and financial support. For this he was always grateful. His spirit will live on in the people who have known and loved him over these many years, particularly in the poor who will continue to be served at Hayden Hall and whom he loved deeply.
Abbreviated Chronology of Fr. Burns' Work Please visit the Canadian Jesuits International website at www.canadianjesuitsinternational.ca or the Hayden Hall website at www.haydenhall.org for more details on memorials being organized in the coming weeks. Other testimonials and news on the death and celebration of Fr. Burns life can be found at the following links. These links open on a separate page and are not created, verified or maintained by Canadian Jesuits International. http://www.darjeelingtimes.com/dtnews/main-news/citizen-news/714-tribute-to-fr-burns.html http://himalnews.wordpress.com/2010/05/19/eulogy-to-father-edgar-peter-burns-darjeelings-great-soul/ |
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