Media Release
Mangaluru, Aug 7: The diocese of Mangalore bade a heartfelt farewell to one of its most revered priests, Msgr Aloysius D’Souza, who passed away on the morning of Thursday August 7, at St Zuze Vaz Home, Jeppu, at the blessed age of 100 years and 7 months.
Msgr Aloysius D’Souza was a priest for 72 years, having been ordained on 24 August 1953. He recently celebrated his centennial birthday on January 29 2025, becoming the first priest in the diocese of Mangalore to reach the age of 100. A grand Thanksgiving Eucharist marked the occasion at St Joseph Seminary, Jeppu, where he continued to serve for over two decades even after his retirement.
Born in Puttur on January 29, 1925, to Martin and Piedade D’Souza, Msgr Aloysius’s life was a testimony to simplicity, discipline, prayer, and unwavering commitment to his priestly call. Known for his intellectual depth and pastoral zeal, he held several prominent roles during his priestly journey:
• Assistant parish priest at Bejai (1954–1963)
• Missionary parish priest in Arva (1963–1964)
• Secretary to the bishop and curia (1964–1965)
• Director & manager of Codialbail Press (1965–1973)
• Parish priest & vicar forane at Pezar and Kinnigoli (1973–1987)
• Vicar general of the diocese (1987–1995)
• Director of St Antony’s Charitable Institutions, Jeppu (1995–2000)
• Spiritual director at St Joseph Seminary, Jeppu (2000–2022)
He spent his final years in prayer and quiet reflection at St Zuze Vaz Home for Priests, Jeppu.
Msgr Aloysius served under six bishops of the diocese and left a mark on every role he undertook. His former students, fellow clergy, and laity remember him as a man of wisdom, humility, and radiant joy in priesthood. He was a master of languages, a teacher of Latin and English, a lover of the church, and a priest deeply rooted in the Eucharist.
On the occasion of his 100th birthday earlier this year, Pope Francis bestowed upon him a special Papal Blessing. In his response during the celebration, Msgr Aloysius said, “A priest is ordained to serve others, not himself. Pray, work, and stick to order—this has been my mantra.”
Msgr Aloysius D’Souza's funeral Mass and burial rites will be held on Friday, August 8, at 4 pm at St Vincent Ferrer Church, Valencia, Mangaluru.
Fr Aloysius D'Souza on 'Hello Father: