from Joseph D'Mello
Fr Ambrose D'Mello S.J.(88), son of Nicholas D'Mello and Pauline D'Mello, Puttur passed away on April 18, 2010 at Guwahati, Assam.
For funer details Contact Details contact: 08251 231955, (Joy, Puttur)
joydenma@gmail.com
India mourns first Jesuit provincial
Fr D’Mello, who was the first Jesuit Provincial of India, died of cancer on April 18 at Guwahati, Assam, UCA News reports. He was 87.
Mourning the death, Fr Edward Mudavassery, current Jesuit provincial of South Asia, told UCA News on April 19 that his late confrere had braved great odds to start several missions in India.
Fr D’Mello took the initiative to set up the office of the Jesuit Provincial of India to coordinate the works of the Society of Jesus in the country. The office was later renamed the Jesuit Provincial of South Asia.
Fr Mudavassery described Fr D’Mello as a pastoral-minded priest who helped launch the Anekal mission of the Jesuits in Karnataka state. He led mass literacy programs, rural housing schemes and other development works among mostly dalit (former low-caste) and tribal people, who form nearly 40 percent of the area.
Fr D’Mello’s other achievement is the Kohima mission, the Jesuits pioneering work in northeastern India. “He started the mission from scratch. Now it is one of the most vibrant of Jesuit provinces,” Fr Mudavassery noted.
He also said Fr D’Mello maintained “good relations” with the Church hierarchy in India during his years as a Jesuit superior. He was also a much sought after spiritual director for bishops and Religious. “He guided people even until his last breath,” Fr Mudavassery added.
Jesuit Fr Walter Fernandes, director of a research center in Guwahati, who was with Fr D’Mello during his last years, said his former provincial had encouraged young people to take up new works. He used modern social communication methods to keep abreast of the latest events in the world.
Fr D’Mello was born in Puthur, Mangalore, in 1922. He joined the Jesuits in 1943 and was ordained a priest in 1954.
messages
Elias Cutinha, Mangalore/Nagaland
Thu, May 13 2010Very sad news. I remember him very much when he helped me a lot for my journey to Mangalore during my Mother's sudden demise in 2001. May his soul rest in peace.
donald, Toronto
Wed, Apr 21 2010I am a product from Jesuit run Institute from Bangalore,The jesuit tribe is special one and their foundations were very strong during my School education from 1954-1963 and most of the priests were very holy and God fearing not like the new highbrids who are emboldened thru internet and money flow, So Satan drags them to sinful Highways and s them staight to hell.May the good Lord bring them back to his fold and we lay people should pray for them.What an Irony of fate Mother Church suffers torment from her own children
Rony Miranda, Bondel/Dubai
Wed, Apr 21 2010Dear Joy & All of D'Mello Family, Pleace accept our heartfelt condelences on the sad demise of Fr. Ambrose D'mello. May the Alminghty God show his grace on him and may his soul rest in peace with heavelhy God. Rony Miranda & Fly Dubai.
Goretti, Jane, Gladys & Celestine Coelho, mangalore
Wed, Apr 21 2010We deeply mourn the sad demise of Fr.Ambrose D'Mello S.j. India has lost a Great Jesuit and his death is a terrible loss to the Jesuits of Kohima Region. Our heartfelt condolences to all the Jesuits of Kohima Region and to the Family of Fr.Ambrose. May his soul rest in Peace. His Mission Work will speak for itself and will be remembered in the History of the Jesuits.
Joe Gonsalves, Mangalore - U.S.A.
Tue, Apr 20 2010It is said that The Jesuits mourn the demise of Father D'Mello - one of the pioneers of The Kohima Jesuit Mission. I am not a Jesuit but indeed I am a Jesuit Student having received my education at the hands of The Jesuit Fathers of sacred memory and I therefore join scores of Jesuit Fathers while saying Adius to Father Ambrose. He has done a great job as a Jesuit Superior and what is great about him is that he never once showed that he was superior to any one else. He had wonderful qualities of heart and mind and naturally he continues to live in the hearts of thousands of people.
Good bye to you Father Ambrose. Please continue to be with us through your powerful intercession with The Lord.
Humbly submitted by
Joe Gonsalves
Louis Dante, Dubai
Tue, Apr 20 2010Soft spoken man of virtue and a fine gentleman priest ( A true Jesuit must I say). I had limited interaction when he visited us. An example for the young Jesuits in India to emmulate his style of functioning...
May the Merciful Lord grant unto Fr. Ambrose D`mello SJ eternal peace and the promised share in His Kingdom in Heaven and may His perpetual light shine opon him.
V.Baretto, Bantwal-Bangalore
Mon, Apr 19 2010A pious Priest Fr.Ambrose D'Mello whom I had met a couple of times in his late brother's place in Bangalore. Our heartfelt condolences to D'Mello family more particularly Mrs.Philomena D'Mello and her family in Bangalore.
Oswald Pais, bendor Parish
Mon, Apr 19 2010Heartfelt Condolences to the entire Demello Family on the demise of Fr.Ambrose S.J.His tireless mission of 67 years in serving the society of Jesus is highly appreciated.We met him in one of the family Functions in Puttur & his vision was great.May the Almighty show his grace on him & let his soul rest in peace in Heavenly abode.The Services he has rendered are countless & the entire country is saddened by his demise. Our special condolences to people of Assam, Shillong & Meghalaya.
Osey & Treeza Pais
4S. Fernandez, Bahrain
Sun, Apr 18 2010A void in our lives that cannot be filled. We miss him dearly. May the merciful Lord grant shelter to his soul in the kingdom of heaven.
EDWARD LOBO, AGRAR, BANTVAL
Sun, Apr 18 2010DEDICATED HIS LIFE FROM 1970 ONWARDS IN THE NORTHEAST MAINLY IN NAGALAND.MAY HIS SOUL REST IN PEACE.HEARTFELT SYMPATHIES TO THE JESUIT COMMUNITY AND HIS FAMILY MEMBERS.
Sr.Milly Fernandes, Nagaland
Sun, Apr 18 2010We have lost a great missionary in the person of Fr. Ambrose D'Mello. We the Ursuline Franciscan Sisters are indebted to Fr. Ambrose for what he had been to us for the past 35 years, particularly for his role in bringing us to Nagaland in the year 1975 and giving us a missionary thrust. Our heartfelt condolences to the Jesuits of Kohima Region. We have lost him here on earth but have gained a loving intercessor in heaven.
Dear Fr. Ambrose please send your blessings on all of us. We miss you!!
: Sr. Milly Fernandes and Ursuline Franciscan Sisters of North East Province
Fr. Jossie D'Mello SJ, Mangalore
Sun, Apr 18 2010We have lost a great Jesuit. Even at the age of 88, he was filled with missionary zeal. Truly he was man for others. May his Soul Rest in Peace.
Ambrose Pinto SJ, Bangalore
Sun, Apr 18 2010Fr Ambrose D'Mello (KAR/KHM) passed away peacefully in the Lord at 11.15 a.m. on Sunday, 18th April 2010, at the Jesuit House, Guwahati, in the 89th year of his life and 67th year in the Society of Jesus. The funeral Mass will be celebrated at the Guwahati Cathedral at 10.00 a.m. on Wednesday, 21st April, and the burial thereafter will take place in the cemetery, Jesuit novitiate, Shillong. Fr Ambrose D' Mello SJ has rendered outstanding service in various capacities: as Provincial of Karnataka (in Bangalore), the first Provincial of India and President of the Jesuit conference of India (in New Delhi), Nagaland Mission Superior (in Jakhama), Regional Superior of Darjeeling and Administrator of the Diocese of Darjeeling (in Matigara).He was the Director of the Workshop at Jeppu. He has worked in the diocese of Mysore as the Parish Priest of Prakash Palyam. He was the Superior of Mundgod mission in Karwar and worked in Bijapur. All through his life, his has been a pioneering work for the poor and the downtrodden.
Since July 1996 he has been at the Jesuit House in Guwahati, an inspiring presence among the Jesuits, a friend and guide to many bishops, priests, sisters and laypeople. He was highly esteemed for his qualities of head and heart. A man who thought about others all the time, he gave his life in service and dedication. An able administrator, he was most helpful and more than anything else a person who inspired others.
Naveen Frank, Mangalore / Sharjah
Sun, Apr 18 2010A great man has passed away. My heartfelt condolences to the Jesuits of Karnataka, Nagaland and India as a region. Fr Ambrose DMello had tirelessly served in all these areas as Provincial and as a missionary, specially in Nagaland.
May his soul rest in peace.