Born in Louisville, Kentucky, on June 3, 1888, William Francis Burke was one of the six children of Michael Joseph and Mary Doyle Burke. His early education was undertaken in Louisville at Cathedral Grade School from 1894 to 1896, St. Patrick Grade School from 1896 to 1898, and Public School from 1898 to 1902. After completing grammar school, he spent seven years as a salesman for J.M. Robinson Norton Company in Louisville. From 1910 to 1913, he completed his secondary education at St. Patrick High School in Columbus, Ohio, the Apostolic School for the Province of St. Joseph which changed its name to Aquinas College in 1912. Following a year of studies at St. Mary's College in St. Mary's, Kentucky, he entered the Dominican Order at St. Joseph Priory in Somerset, Ohio, receiving the habit and the religious name of Raphael on October 25, 1914. A year and a day later, he professed simple vows at the same priory.
Philosophical studies followed from 1915 through 1917, and theological courses from 1918 through 1921, at the Dominican House of Studies in Washington, D.C. On June 12, 1921, William Raphael Burke was ordained to the priesthood at St. Dominic's Church in Washington. Later in his life, he wrote: "Perhaps the fondest recollections are of student days in Somerset, Ohio. Wandering over fields and roads, and meeting a Master General of the Order under rather informal conditions stand out at the beginning of my Dominican career. Student days in Washington bring back vivid memories. The priests who formed the faculty were superb men of God. I recall attending some of the sessions of Congress at the time of our entering the first World War, which made quite an impression on the memory. Being present for the laying of the cornerstone of the Shrine at the Catholic University is a memory not easily erased."
Father Burke's first assignment was to the Eastern Mission Band with residence at St. Dominic Priory in Washington. He was engaged in full-time preaching from 1922 to 1929. In June 1929, he was elected prior of St. Dominic Priory. When a fire destroyed the interior and roof of Saint Dominic's, he was responsible for planning the construction of the building. He also continued his preaching ministry on a part-time basis while serving as Prior. On March 8, 1934 the degree of Preacher General was conferred on him at the House of Studies in River Forest.
In June 1933 Father Burke was installed as Vicar Provincial of the Vicariate of St. Albert the Great with residence at the Dominican House of Studies in River Forest, Illinois. Toward the end of his second term as Vicar, on December 22, 1939, the Vicariate became the Province of Saint Albert the Great and he chose to affiliate with the new Province.
In 1940 he was assigned to the Southwestern Mission Band, with residence at Holy Rosary Priory in Houston, Texas. From 1942 to 1948, he served as pastor of St. Albert the Great Parish in Minneapolis, Minnesota. During this time, he planned and began the construction of the new church and priory, but because his second term as Pastor expired, the project was completed under the supervision of his successor, Father John Nugent.
Father Burke was then assigned to the Western Mission Band with residence in St. Dominic Rectory, Denver, Colorado. Three years later, in 1950, he assumed the duties of Chaplain at St. Dominic Villa, Dubuque, Iowa, a position he held until 1967.Because of age and ill health, he was placed on limited service, living at St. Rose Priory in Dubuque, but continued to serve as Confessor for the Sisters at St. Dominic Villa. For several months in 1971, he served as an assistant pastor at St. Margaret Parish, Boyce, Louisiana, but ill health forced him into limited service once again. From 1971 to 1973, he lived at St. Albert the Great Priory in Irving, Texas. In 1973, Father Burke once again moved into active service as part-time chaplain at the Motherhouse of the Presentation Sisters in Aberdeen, South Dakota, serving there until 1981 despite a number of strokes and complications.
At the age of ninety-three and following another stroke, Father Burke asked that he be allowed to spend his remaining months closer to his Dominican brethren and was thereupon transferred to the Oak Park Convalescent and Geriatric Center in Oak Park, Illinois, about a mile from the Priory of St. Dominic and St. Thomas in River Forest. There he proceeded to develop a ministry as resident chaplain, celebrating Mass and extending comfort and friendship to his fellow residents and the staff. When interviewed by a reporter for a local newspaper at the age of ninety-six, Father Burke said, "It has been the joy of my life that the Lord has let me live so I might in my old age still be able to serve him while serving his good old folks, his good old people."
In late December 1986, Father Burke contracted a severe cold which developed into pneumonia. Following a short period of hospitalization, he died on January 21, 1987. A Mass of the Resurrection was celebrated at the Priory of St. Dominic and St. Thomas in River Forest, after which he was buried in the Dominican plot at All Saints Cemetery, Des Plaines, Illinois, on January 24, 1987.
Philosophical studies followed from 1915 through 1917, and theological courses from 1918 through 1921, at the Dominican House of Studies in Washington, D.C. On June 12, 1921, William Raphael Burke was ordained to the priesthood at St. Dominic's Church in Washington. Later in his life, he wrote: "Perhaps the fondest recollections are of student days in Somerset, Ohio. Wandering over fields and roads, and meeting a Master General of the Order under rather informal conditions stand out at the beginning of my Dominican career. Student days in Washington bring back vivid memories. The priests who formed the faculty were superb men of God. I recall attending some of the sessions of Congress at the time of our entering the first World War, which made quite an impression on the memory. Being present for the laying of the cornerstone of the Shrine at the Catholic University is a memory not easily erased."
Father Burke's first assignment was to the Eastern Mission Band with residence at St. Dominic Priory in Washington. He was engaged in full-time preaching from 1922 to 1929. In June 1929, he was elected prior of St. Dominic Priory. When a fire destroyed the interior and roof of Saint Dominic's, he was responsible for planning the construction of the building. He also continued his preaching ministry on a part-time basis while serving as Prior. On March 8, 1934 the degree of Preacher General was conferred on him at the House of Studies in River Forest.
In June 1933 Father Burke was installed as Vicar Provincial of the Vicariate of St. Albert the Great with residence at the Dominican House of Studies in River Forest, Illinois. Toward the end of his second term as Vicar, on December 22, 1939, the Vicariate became the Province of Saint Albert the Great and he chose to affiliate with the new Province.
In 1940 he was assigned to the Southwestern Mission Band, with residence at Holy Rosary Priory in Houston, Texas. From 1942 to 1948, he served as pastor of St. Albert the Great Parish in Minneapolis, Minnesota. During this time, he planned and began the construction of the new church and priory, but because his second term as Pastor expired, the project was completed under the supervision of his successor, Father John Nugent.
Father Burke was then assigned to the Western Mission Band with residence in St. Dominic Rectory, Denver, Colorado. Three years later, in 1950, he assumed the duties of Chaplain at St. Dominic Villa, Dubuque, Iowa, a position he held until 1967.Because of age and ill health, he was placed on limited service, living at St. Rose Priory in Dubuque, but continued to serve as Confessor for the Sisters at St. Dominic Villa. For several months in 1971, he served as an assistant pastor at St. Margaret Parish, Boyce, Louisiana, but ill health forced him into limited service once again. From 1971 to 1973, he lived at St. Albert the Great Priory in Irving, Texas. In 1973, Father Burke once again moved into active service as part-time chaplain at the Motherhouse of the Presentation Sisters in Aberdeen, South Dakota, serving there until 1981 despite a number of strokes and complications.
At the age of ninety-three and following another stroke, Father Burke asked that he be allowed to spend his remaining months closer to his Dominican brethren and was thereupon transferred to the Oak Park Convalescent and Geriatric Center in Oak Park, Illinois, about a mile from the Priory of St. Dominic and St. Thomas in River Forest. There he proceeded to develop a ministry as resident chaplain, celebrating Mass and extending comfort and friendship to his fellow residents and the staff. When interviewed by a reporter for a local newspaper at the age of ninety-six, Father Burke said, "It has been the joy of my life that the Lord has let me live so I might in my old age still be able to serve him while serving his good old folks, his good old people."
In late December 1986, Father Burke contracted a severe cold which developed into pneumonia. Following a short period of hospitalization, he died on January 21, 1987. A Mass of the Resurrection was celebrated at the Priory of St. Dominic and St. Thomas in River Forest, after which he was buried in the Dominican plot at All Saints Cemetery, Des Plaines, Illinois, on January 24, 1987.
Born in Louisville, Kentucky, on June 3, 1888, William Francis Burke was one of the six children of Michael Joseph and Mary Doyle Burke. His early education was undertaken in Louisville at Cathedral Grade School from 1894 to 1896, St. Patrick Grade School from 1896 to 1898, and Public School from 1898 to 1902. After completing grammar school, he spent seven years as a salesman for J.M. Robinson Norton Company in Louisville. From 1910 to 1913, he completed his secondary education at St. Patrick High School in Columbus, Ohio, the Apostolic School for the Province of St. Joseph which changed its name to Aquinas College in 1912. Following a year of studies at St. Mary's College in St. Mary's, Kentucky, he entered the Dominican Order at St. Joseph Priory in Somerset, Ohio, receiving the habit and the religious name of Raphael on October 25, 1914. A year and a day later, he professed simple vows at the same priory.
Philosophical studies followed from 1915 through 1917, and theological courses from 1918 through 1921, at the Dominican House of Studies in Washington, D.C. On June 12, 1921, William Raphael Burke was ordained to the priesthood at St. Dominic's Church in Washington. Later in his life, he wrote: "Perhaps the fondest recollections are of student days in Somerset, Ohio. Wandering over fields and roads, and meeting a Master General of the Order under rather informal conditions stand out at the beginning of my Dominican career. Student days in Washington bring back vivid memories. The priests who formed the faculty were superb men of God. I recall attending some of the sessions of Congress at the time of our entering the first World War, which made quite an impression on the memory. Being present for the laying of the cornerstone of the Shrine at the Catholic University is a memory not easily erased."
Father Burke's first assignment was to the Eastern Mission Band with residence at St. Dominic Priory in Washington. He was engaged in full-time preaching from 1922 to 1929. In June 1929, he was elected prior of St. Dominic Priory. When a fire destroyed the interior and roof of Saint Dominic's, he was responsible for planning the construction of the building. He also continued his preaching ministry on a part-time basis while serving as Prior. On March 8, 1934 the degree of Preacher General was conferred on him at the House of Studies in River Forest.
In June 1933 Father Burke was installed as Vicar Provincial of the Vicariate of St. Albert the Great with residence at the Dominican House of Studies in River Forest, Illinois. Toward the end of his second term as Vicar, on December 22, 1939, the Vicariate became the Province of Saint Albert the Great and he chose to affiliate with the new Province.
In 1940 he was assigned to the Southwestern Mission Band, with residence at Holy Rosary Priory in Houston, Texas. From 1942 to 1948, he served as pastor of St. Albert the Great Parish in Minneapolis, Minnesota. During this time, he planned and began the construction of the new church and priory, but because his second term as Pastor expired, the project was completed under the supervision of his successor, Father John Nugent.
Father Burke was then assigned to the Western Mission Band with residence in St. Dominic Rectory, Denver, Colorado. Three years later, in 1950, he assumed the duties of Chaplain at St. Dominic Villa, Dubuque, Iowa, a position he held until 1967.Because of age and ill health, he was placed on limited service, living at St. Rose Priory in Dubuque, but continued to serve as Confessor for the Sisters at St. Dominic Villa. For several months in 1971, he served as an assistant pastor at St. Margaret Parish, Boyce, Louisiana, but ill health forced him into limited service once again. From 1971 to 1973, he lived at St. Albert the Great Priory in Irving, Texas. In 1973, Father Burke once again moved into active service as part-time chaplain at the Motherhouse of the Presentation Sisters in Aberdeen, South Dakota, serving there until 1981 despite a number of strokes and complications.
At the age of ninety-three and following another stroke, Father Burke asked that he be allowed to spend his remaining months closer to his Dominican brethren and was thereupon transferred to the Oak Park Convalescent and Geriatric Center in Oak Park, Illinois, about a mile from the Priory of St. Dominic and St. Thomas in River Forest. There he proceeded to develop a ministry as resident chaplain, celebrating Mass and extending comfort and friendship to his fellow residents and the staff. When interviewed by a reporter for a local newspaper at the age of ninety-six, Father Burke said, "It has been the joy of my life that the Lord has let me live so I might in my old age still be able to serve him while serving his good old folks, his good old people."
In late December 1986, Father Burke contracted a severe cold which developed into pneumonia. Following a short period of hospitalization, he died on January 21, 1987. A Mass of the Resurrection was celebrated at the Priory of St. Dominic and St. Thomas in River Forest, after which he was buried in the Dominican plot at All Saints Cemetery, Des Plaines, Illinois, on January 24, 1987.
Philosophical studies followed from 1915 through 1917, and theological courses from 1918 through 1921, at the Dominican House of Studies in Washington, D.C. On June 12, 1921, William Raphael Burke was ordained to the priesthood at St. Dominic's Church in Washington. Later in his life, he wrote: "Perhaps the fondest recollections are of student days in Somerset, Ohio. Wandering over fields and roads, and meeting a Master General of the Order under rather informal conditions stand out at the beginning of my Dominican career. Student days in Washington bring back vivid memories. The priests who formed the faculty were superb men of God. I recall attending some of the sessions of Congress at the time of our entering the first World War, which made quite an impression on the memory. Being present for the laying of the cornerstone of the Shrine at the Catholic University is a memory not easily erased."
Father Burke's first assignment was to the Eastern Mission Band with residence at St. Dominic Priory in Washington. He was engaged in full-time preaching from 1922 to 1929. In June 1929, he was elected prior of St. Dominic Priory. When a fire destroyed the interior and roof of Saint Dominic's, he was responsible for planning the construction of the building. He also continued his preaching ministry on a part-time basis while serving as Prior. On March 8, 1934 the degree of Preacher General was conferred on him at the House of Studies in River Forest.
In June 1933 Father Burke was installed as Vicar Provincial of the Vicariate of St. Albert the Great with residence at the Dominican House of Studies in River Forest, Illinois. Toward the end of his second term as Vicar, on December 22, 1939, the Vicariate became the Province of Saint Albert the Great and he chose to affiliate with the new Province.
In 1940 he was assigned to the Southwestern Mission Band, with residence at Holy Rosary Priory in Houston, Texas. From 1942 to 1948, he served as pastor of St. Albert the Great Parish in Minneapolis, Minnesota. During this time, he planned and began the construction of the new church and priory, but because his second term as Pastor expired, the project was completed under the supervision of his successor, Father John Nugent.
Father Burke was then assigned to the Western Mission Band with residence in St. Dominic Rectory, Denver, Colorado. Three years later, in 1950, he assumed the duties of Chaplain at St. Dominic Villa, Dubuque, Iowa, a position he held until 1967.Because of age and ill health, he was placed on limited service, living at St. Rose Priory in Dubuque, but continued to serve as Confessor for the Sisters at St. Dominic Villa. For several months in 1971, he served as an assistant pastor at St. Margaret Parish, Boyce, Louisiana, but ill health forced him into limited service once again. From 1971 to 1973, he lived at St. Albert the Great Priory in Irving, Texas. In 1973, Father Burke once again moved into active service as part-time chaplain at the Motherhouse of the Presentation Sisters in Aberdeen, South Dakota, serving there until 1981 despite a number of strokes and complications.
At the age of ninety-three and following another stroke, Father Burke asked that he be allowed to spend his remaining months closer to his Dominican brethren and was thereupon transferred to the Oak Park Convalescent and Geriatric Center in Oak Park, Illinois, about a mile from the Priory of St. Dominic and St. Thomas in River Forest. There he proceeded to develop a ministry as resident chaplain, celebrating Mass and extending comfort and friendship to his fellow residents and the staff. When interviewed by a reporter for a local newspaper at the age of ninety-six, Father Burke said, "It has been the joy of my life that the Lord has let me live so I might in my old age still be able to serve him while serving his good old folks, his good old people."
In late December 1986, Father Burke contracted a severe cold which developed into pneumonia. Following a short period of hospitalization, he died on January 21, 1987. A Mass of the Resurrection was celebrated at the Priory of St. Dominic and St. Thomas in River Forest, after which he was buried in the Dominican plot at All Saints Cemetery, Des Plaines, Illinois, on January 24, 1987.
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