at Church events, Catholic schools, and local hospitals. At one children’s hospital, a talent agent heard the family sing and asked to represent them. Thus began the professional career of the “Burke Family Singers.” Fame and fortune From 1959 until 1972, the Burkes lifted their voices together. They appeared on the Ed Sullivan Show and the Tonight Show; live performance venues included Carnegie Hall, Radio City Music Hall, the NewYork World’s Fair, and the Trapp Family Lodge. The Burkes’ sold-out concert at Boston Garden was emceed by Jimmy Durante. Through God-given talent and hard work, the family was lifted from poverty and moved to a more spacious home in Providence. Still, despite Our Lady’s intercession for him as a child, his family’s piety, and the many hours he spent singing sacred music, Walter struggled with his faith. As a teen, he questioned God’s existence. He was frequently involved in fist fights whenever teased about his stutter. Once again, Heaven stepped in. One Friday evening, Walter and his brother Peter decided to hitchhike to a high school dance. They split up, as it was easier for one boy to find a ride than two. Walter was picked up by a man who “was on fire with the Lord.” Not wanting to reveal his stutter, Walter did not say much but listened helplessly to this stranger telling him how much Jesus loved him. When the driver invited Walter to a prayer meeting at the nearby La Salette Shrine, Walter tried to say no but could not get the word out. After struggling to respond, he finally said, “Yes” without difficulty. At the prayer meeting, Walter was stunned to run into Peter, who had been picked up by a different driver also headed to the Shrine. The brothers sat down together. Walter closed his eyes and prayed, “Lord, if you are real, prove it to me now.” A few moments later, Walter recalls, “I just burst out crying … It was the most amazing love that I have ever felt in my life. I knew it was Jesus.” Opening his eyes, Walter saw Peter in tears, too. “Did you feel that?” Peter asked. Walter never doubted God’s existence again. After that night, Walter knew he was called to evangelize and trusted God to help him overcome his stutter. He did. Walter formed prayer groups for young people, including one in prison and one that grew into the hundreds for Sacred Heart Parish in Fairhaven, Massachusetts, where he lived in the rectory for a time while discerning a possible religious vocation. After realizing that God was not calling him to the priesthood, Walter settled into a career at a home for troubled boys called St. Aloysius, where he worked for 25 years. Through his sister Anne, Walter met his future wife, Karen. They raised four sons together in a home as devout as the one in which Walter grew up. After St. Aloysius closed, Walter became director of parks and recreation for Bristol, Rhode Island, from which he retired. He and Karen, now married 46 years, are expecting their second grandchild. ‘Not to Us, Lord’ Walter and Karen made their first pilgrimage to the National Shrine of The Divine Mercy on Dec. 8, 2021, the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception — and Karen’s birthday. Walter credits his wife’s deep and longstanding devotion to St. Faustina and the Divine Mercy for his own interest. “Together we are trying to spread St. Faustina’s message,” he says. Reflecting on his life’s journey, Walter recognizes “it was always the Lord … taking care of me.” He remembers the hymn with which his family opened every performance: “Non Nobis, Domine” (“Not to Us, Lord”), in which the singer assigns all glory and honor to God. “I believe,” says Walter, “from all those thousands of concerts, we got the blessing of giving everything to the Lord”— that same Lord Who will never be outdone in generosity. “There were so many miracles. I’m just waiting for the next thing to happen.” Marian Helper • Spring 2022 • marian.org 29 The statue of Mary purchased by Walter’s parents in thanksgiving for his healing.
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