Br. Darrell J. Burns., SJ, was born on September 5, 1944, in Canonsburg, PA, and entered the Society of Jesus at the Novitiate of St. Isaac Jogues in Wernersville, PA, on February 1, 1964. He received a B.S. in Communication Arts from Xavier University in Cincinnati, OH, where he later went on to receive an M.A. in Theology. He also received an M.A. in Theatre from Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, OH.
Most of Br. Burns’ Jesuit life was spent in service at Loyola Blakefield High School in Baltimore and Xavier University in Cincinnati. After three years teaching and directing the Blakefield Players at Loyola from 1970 to 1973, he spent a year at Xavier High School in Cincinnati teaching English and Drama and founding the theater program there. He then returned to Loyola Blakefield for seven years as a teacher, director of the Blakefield Players, and director of admissions. In 1982, he served for two years at Xavier University as an assistant professor of theater arts and then for five years at the university’s Edgecliff campus as coordinator of student services and campus ministry. It was then back to Loyola Blakefield where he stayed for 11 years, serving as chaplain.
Following a brief sabbatical in 2000 at the Jesuit School of Theology at Berkeley, CA, Br. Burns became school chaplain at Scranton Prep for four years. He then returned to Xavier University for 14 years, serving as campus minister and ROTC chaplain, as well as working in the university’s Mission and Identity office.
In 2019, Br. Burns moved to the Colombiére Jesuit Community in Baltimore to serve in pastoral ministry and to pray for the Church and the Society of Jesus. He died peacefully on May 3, 2024, at the age of 79.
