Gerry D’Mello

Daijiworld Media Network, Toronto

Toronto (Canada), Feb 23: Fr Edwin D’Souza, spiritual director of the Mangalorean Association of Canada (MAC), popular as the ‘Konkani Priest of Canada’ passed away at the age of 84 after a brief illness.

Fr Edwin had played a vital role in promoting the Konkani language, art and culture in Canada. Having been the first spiritual director of MAC, he encouraged the association to start its first-ever Spiritual programmes in Konkani in Canada like the Monti Fest Celebration, Konkani masses every Month, stations of the cross and spiritual retreat during the holy season of Lent. Also, he was instrumental in inviting Bishops of Toronto John Bossinov and William McGratten for the Monti fest celebrations organized by MAC.

Born on January 1, 1937 as the sixth among 13 children-nine sons and four daughters- to Late Immanuel D’Souza (Monnu Master) and Magdalene D’Souza of Kattingeri, Moodubelle, Edwin completed his higher primary education up to the seventh standard in the Higher Primary School, Moodubelle and acquired secondary education in the High School, Shirva and completed SSLC in 1955.

Upon completion of his training for priesthood, Br Edwin was ordained a priest on December 22, 1966 in St Lawrence Church, Moodubelle by the then bishop of Amravati, Dr Joseph Albert Rosario along with the then bishop of Mangaluru, Dr Basil Salvador D’Souza.

After being ordained a priest, he volunteered to work in the backward villages of the Amravati diocese. He learned the local language Marathi, and fulfilled the religious and spiritual obligations of the faithful by visiting remote villages and mission centres, traveling first in bullock-carts and later in jeeps and trains. After nearly a decade of mission work, he chose to learn new reformations for the church which took him to the Archdiocese of Toronto in Canada.

Fr Edwin, after serving as an assistant pastor of St Jude’s parish in Western Ontario, dedicated his priestly services as a pastor for six years at St John’s parish in the Archdiocese of Toronto. Later, he served for six years in St Mary’s Church at Collingwood, for one year in St Mary’s Church, Brampton and for seven years in the church of the Immaculate Heart of Mary at Scarborough.

Since 2001 until his retirement in 2016, Fr Edwin has served as a pastor at the St Martha and Mary parish in Mississauga, Ontario and continued his priestly services in the Archdiocese of Toronto until he breathed his last.

Fr Edwin loved to travel and learn new things and meet people. He had been to the Holy Land twice. He, along with his three brothers-Fr Mathew, Bishop Alphonse and Bishop Albert, had an opportunity to meet Pope John Paul II in the Vatican.

When Daijiworld Media met with the former presidents of MAC, they spoke about the great personality of Fr Edwin. Here are some excerpts:

Melwyn Menezes (the first President of MAC):

“As the first President of MAC, I had the unique honor and privilege of working closely with Fr Edwin. His immense enthusiasm and support were invaluable when we started the association in 2002. We are grateful for all these years, we had Fr Edwin as our spiritual director to guide and bless our association. His service and contributions impacted MAC in many ways and will never be forgotten. We will miss him dearly.”

Ronald Fernandes (former MAC President):

“He was a simple man, carrying on the duties of a shepherd. He did not use big words or lean on big examples to convey his message. Through his simplicity and purpose, he conveyed more than words could ever do. I will miss him and his companionship, but his memories are a blessing and encourage me to carry on his mission of helping my fellowmen and making lives around us better through the examples set by Christ.”

Manohar Pais (former MAC President):

“Fr Edwin was a pillar of strength to all Konkani-speaking Mangalureans in Mississauga. He was practical, soft-spoken and realistic, yet strong in his commitment to the community. He served the Mangalorean Association of Canada as Spiritual Director for 10 long years. I was fortunate enough to receive his advice and spiritual guidance as president of MAC for five years. Despite facing health issues and all challenges that come with it, he attended every Konkani religious service until the onset of Covid. Even though his death has left a void amongst us, he will be remembered for his wit and charisma for many more years to come. May God Almighty grant eternal peace to his departed soul.”

Maxim D’Mello (incumbent MAC President):

“Fr Edwin D'Souza was a very humble and down-to-earth person. Mangalorean Association of Canada was grateful and blessed to have him as the spiritual director all these years. He was instrumental in enabling us to celebrate Konkani Mass by offering it in his church and he also went above and beyond to sharpen his Konkani skills so that he could deliver his sermons in Konkani flawlessly. We miss him dearly and may his soul rest in peace”.

Vijay Dante (incumbent MAC Vice-President):

“On a personal note, we have had a long relationship that lasted for decades from my parents’ time until his demise. We both belong to the same native parish Moodubelle, Udupi. Whenever we met Fr Edwin, he remembered my parents the late Francis Dante and Cecilia Alva who taught him during his elementary school days and still remembered and proudly sang some of the nursery rhymes, she taught him. Fr Edwin was a very helpful personality as I had his help during my initial visit and during my settling down days in Canada as a new immigrant. Father Edwin was a regular visitor to my restaurant ‘Udupi Madras Café’ and enjoyed his favorite ‘Poori bhaji’ despite his physician’s strict diet regulations. As the MAC vice president, I remain ever grateful for his constant spiritual support from the inception of MAC. We lost a great human being and a great priest”.

Fr Edwin had a very good sense of humour and always used to say that “priesthood has no retirement.” Truly, Fr Edwin, a son of the Mangalorean soil, who was a great supporter of Konkani language, art and culture, was a great blessing for the Konkani Community in Canada. Undoubtedly, Fr Edwin lived his life as an ‘Altar Christus!’ The ever-smiling Fr Edwin lived a holy and dedicated priestly life. The Konkani diaspora in Canada will most certainly miss him very dearly.