Rev. James T. Burtchaell, III, C.S.C.
Mar. 31, 1934-Apr. 10, 2015
Rev. James T. Burtchaell, C.S.C., 81, died Friday (April 10, 2015) at Holy Cross House.
Watch Fr. Burtchaell’s funeral Mass
He was born to James T. Burtchaell, Jr. and Marion M. (Murphy) Burtchaell on Mar. 31, 1934, in Portland, Ore. He attended All Saints and Columbia Prep School. He was received into the Congregation on August 15, 1952. He professed vows on August 16, 1953 and graduated with a bachelor degree from the University of Notre Dame in 1956. He also held a degree in theology from the Gregorian University in Rome, Italy; an L.S.S. in Sacred Scripture from the Biblical Commission in Rome, Italy; and a Ph.D. in Divinity from Cambridge University in Cambridge, England. Fr. Burtchaell professed Final Vows on August 16, 1956 and was Ordained as a priest May 21, 1960. He returned to the university as a theology professor in 1966. Burtchaell served as the University of Notre Dame’s first provost for seven years beginning 1970. He was also chair of the Theology Department from 1968 to 1970. Fr. Burtchaell was on leave from the University for the 1991-92 academic year, when he was a visiting professor at Princeton University. His resignation was effective at the conclusion of that academic year. He continued to remain a member of the Congregation of Holy Cross but no longer served in public ministry. He resided at Casa Santa Cruz in Phoenix, Ariz., except for a period of time when he returned to Portland, Ore. to care for his mother in her last days. Since 2009, he resided at Holy Cross House, Notre Dame, Ind.
Fr. Burtchaell is survived by his brother, Robert K. Burtchaell of Portland, Oregon. and sister, Martha Burtchaell Bernadelli of Seaside, Oregon. He was preceded in death by his parents James and Marion (Murphy) Burtchaell, and by a sister, Margaret Burtchaell of South Bend, Indiana. A wake service will be held at Moreau Seminary Chapel at 7:30 P.M. on Tuesday, April 14, 2015 and the funeral Mass will be celebrated at the Basilica of the Sacred Heart Wednesday, April 15, 2015 at 3:30 P.M. Burial will follow at the Holy Cross Community Cemetery.
Memorial contributions in support of the mission and ministries of the Congregation of Holy Cross can be made to: United States Province of Priests and Brothers, Office of Development, P.O. Box 765, Notre Dame, IN 46556-0765 or online at donate.holycrossusa.org.
