Beloved Catholic author and speaker Fr John Burns, from the Archdiocese of Milwaukee, is currently inspiring hearts and renewing faith across the Archdiocese of Sydney.
He is here with Sr Miriam James Heidland, SOLT, both guests of the archdiocese on mission to inspire and transform young and mature Catholics alike.
Since his ordination in 2010, Fr Burns has served as an associate pastor and as an adjunct professor of moral theology.
He has since become a best-selling author and has gained international recognition for his dynamic speaking and podcasting work, particularly through their ministry, Friends of the Bridegroom.
During his visit to Sydney, Fr Burns has been active in ministering to various groups including young Catholics at a Fidelis event, hosted by Sydney Catholic Youth, and addressing a wider audience at the Scholarship at the Cathedral event on 29 September.
His schedule has also included leading events for clergy, as well as a retreat for young men exploring a vocational calling.
In an interview with The Catholic Weekly, Fr Burns shared his deep love for Australia: “I grew up loving your country. In fourth grade, I even wrote a report on Australia and its culture. After college, I had the opportunity to backpack down the east coast and through the outback for three months. Coming here to preach the Gospel is a profound honour.”
One of his personal joys on this recent trip has been reconnecting with Australia’s globally famous culinary delight – the humble meat pie, which he first discovered during his backpacking trip in 2004.
He’s also acquired certain skills when it comes to our national spread. “I love Vegemite. It took me a while to learn how to spread it just right, like jam, without overdoing it. I really enjoy all of these things, and I couldn’t wait to have them again.”
Beyond his speaking engagements, Fr Burns is passionate about ministering to clergy and religious sisters – both those in formation and those seasoned in their vocation.
“We do deep healing work with priests and religious. It’s about helping them rediscover the grace that called them to this life, often after many years. Watching their renewed commitment is incredibly powerful because they are ‘in it to win it’ – fully dedicated. I love being part of that process,” he said.
Fr Burns is also devoted to what he calls his “full time mission,” reviving vocations to women’s religious life. He has observed that the presence of consecrated women has diminished in many parishes and communities.
“The religious life has become less visible for women. Many young people today have rarely seen a woman in a habit, and most churches no longer have visible, consecrated women. This is a vital part of our Catholic DNA, and we are at risk of losing it,” he explained.
His ongoing mission is to travel across the United States to support the renewal of women’s religious vocations. He wants to ensure that women discerning their calling find the support and accompaniment they need.
This calling was inspired by his experience in Rome as a seminarian, when he encountered the work of sisters of the Missionaries of Charity.
“I saw something profound in them – something about their love for Jesus and their womanliness that I’d never witnessed before. It moved me deeply and motivated me to be a better seminarian, and later, a better priest,” he recalled.
It also made him realise that while God is calling many young women, they often lack spiritual sisters to guide them.
“Many young women don’t have sisters or communities walking with them in their discernment. It leads to many religious communities around the world who are eager to grow and accept new members, often struggling to find women to join their orders.”
He has since been on a mission to “heal the church” and the priesthood by reviving vocations to the religious life for women, to come back into a “harmony, where we are once again, the family of God.”
