Southeast Texas Catholics mourn the death of Msgr. Francis Burlton

October 16, 2006

Monsignor Francis H. Burlton, pastor of Our Lady of the Assumption Parish in Beaumont, died on Friday, October 13, 2006. He was 76.

A native of Beaumont and a graduate of St. Anthony School, he attended St. Mary's Seminary in La Porte, TX, and North American College in Rome, where he was awarded the Licentiate in Sacred Theology from the Pontifical Gregorian University. Francis Burlton was ordained in Rome on March 13, 1954, by Archbishop Francis Beretti at the Basilica of St. John Lateran, for the Diocese of Galveston.

Following his ordination, he served as associate pastor at Assumption Church in Houston from August 1954 until March 1965, St. Catherine Church in Port Arthur from March 1965 until August 1966, and St. Joseph Church in Beaumont from August 1966 until June 1972. In September 1966, he was appointed as the first Chancellor of the Diocese of Beaumont, a position he held until May 1976 when he was appointed as administrator of St. Mary's in Orange. On December 6, 1976, he was conferred the papal honor of Honorary Prelate of His Holiness Pope Paul VI.

In August 1977, he became associate pastor of St. Mary's in Port Arthur, and in June 1978 he was the founding pastor of St. Francis of Assisi in Orange. Since June 1990, he has been pastor of Our Lady of the Assumption Church in Beaumont. In addition, he held several other diocesan positions, including Diocesan Consultor, Promoter of Justice for the Tribunal, member of the Priests' Personnel Board, and Episcopal Vicar for the Central Vicariate.

Msgr. Burlton said what he enjoyed most about being a priest was serving a variety of people and celebrating the sacraments, especially the Mass. He was considered an expert railroad historian and enjoyed building model trains.

Survivors include his brothers (Robert Alfred Burlton and his wife Joyce, of Wichita Falls, Texas; and Dr. Rogers Christopher Burlton and his wife Camille, of Rockville, Maryland), and four nieces and nephews.

Service arrangements are as follows:

Tuesday, October 17, 2006

• 6:00pm - Reception of the Body at Our Lady of the Assumption Church, Beaumont
• 6:30pm - Mass at Our Lady of the Assumption Church, Beaumont
• 7:30pm - Rosary at Our Lady of the Assumption Church, Beaumont

Wednesday, October 18, 2006

• 4:30pm - Reception of the Body at St. Anthony Cathedral Basilica, Beaumont
• 6:30pm - Vigil Service at St. Anthony Cathedral Basilica, Beaumont

Thursday, October 19, 2006

• 7:15am - Mass will be offered for repose of Msgr. Burlton's soul, at St. Anthony Cathedral Basilica, Beaumont (public is welcome)
• 10:00am - Mass of Christian Burial - St. Anthony Cathedral Basilica, Beaumont
• Burial will follow at Forest Lawn Memorial Park, Beaumont

In lieu of flowers, Msgr. Burlton asked that memorial gifts be sent to:

Diocese of Beaumont Seminary Fund
PO Box 3948
Beaumont, Texas 77704-3948