Udupi/M’Belle: Fr. Edwin DSouza celebrates Golden Jubilee of Ordination

By Dr. Eugene DSouza, Moodubelle
Bellevision Media Network

Udupi/M’Belle, 23 Dec 2016: It was exactly fifty years ago that Fr. Edwin D’Souza was ordained in St. Lawrence Church, Moodubelle on 22 December 1966 becoming the first priest to be ordained in Moodubelle that was witnessed for the first time by the parishioners. Fifty years later, Fr. Edwin D’Souza came all the way from Toronto, Canada where he has been serving to celebrate the Golden Jubilee of his ordination concelebrating the thanksgiving mass along with his brothers, Msgr. Mathew D’Souza and Archbishop of Agra Most Rev. Dr. Albert D’Souza in the presence of the Bishop of Udupi Diocese Most Rev. Dr. Gerald Isaac Lobo and other priests. Fr. Edwin’s sister, Rev. Sr. Eugene D’Souza, Superior General of the Sisters of the Holy Cross of Chavanod and other family members, relatives, friends and many parishioners were present for the thanksgiving mass at 10 am in St. Lawrence Church, Moodubelle.

 

Ronald Sabi D’Souza, one of the nephew’s of Fr. Edwin D’Souza in his introductory preface highlighted the service rendered by Fr. Edwin to the church and community and thanked God for giving an opportunity to celebrate the Golden Jubilee of his priesthood.

 

 

On his part, Fr. Edwin D’Souza briefly narrated the circumstances that led to his vocation and welcomed the congregation to participate in the thanksgiving mass on the occasion of the Golden Jubilee of his ordination.

 

Delivering the homily during the thanksgiving mass, Rev. Dr. Lawrence D’Souza, Secretary of Catholic Education Society of Udupi (CESU) conveyed the greetings of Golden Jubilee celebration to Fr. Edwin D’Souza and outlined in brief the journey of the jubilarian from Moodubelle to the seminary and thereafter his mission work in the Diocese of Amravati in Maharashtra and eventually his service to the church in Canada. Rev. Dr. Lawrence D’Souza used the occasion to highlight the role of a priest and his duties and obligations to the church and the society at large. He referred to a brief video clip that he had received in whatsapp group titled the ‘Clay Priest’ which highlighted the joys and sorrows of a priest.  The young man who answers the call of Jesus to priesthood leaves his family. However, like any other human being the priest is also prone to human weakness. After long period of training he dedicates himself to the service of God and society. He is the one called by Jesus to carry on His mission.

 

Fr. Edwin’s Parents with Twelve Children

Portrait on the occasion of Ordination of Fr. Edwin on 22 December 1966

Following the end of the thanksgiving mass, the guests proceeded to Mudartha House in Kattingeri for the felicitation function that commenced at 12.15 pm. Along with the jubilarian Fr. Edwin D’Souza, Bishop Gerald Isaac Lobo, Archbishop Albert D’Souza, Msgr. Mathew D’Souza, Fr. Clement Mascarenhas, Rev. Sr. Eugene D’Souza were on the dais. Two vintage cars from the collection of many such historic four wheelers of Ronald Sabi D’Souza, nephew of Fr. Edwin were parked majestically on the two sides of the dais. 

 

 

 

Gabriela D’Souza, the grand niece of Fr. Edwin D’Souza beautifully welcomed the guests. Thereafter, Fr. Edwin D’Souza along with his elder brother Msgr. Mathew D’Souza who had completed 51 years of priesthood jointly cut the Golden Jubilee cake.

 

John D’Souza, another nephew of Fr. Edwin D’Souza who had come all the way from Canada with his family to be part of the jubilee celebration, raising the toast in honour of his uncle said that Fr. Edwin had two wishes, first being that he wanted to offer thanksgiving mass in St. Lawrence Church, Moodubelle on 22 December 2016 where he was ordained a priest exactly 50 years ago and second being that he wanted to make the jubilee a quiet and simple affair. John said that while his first wish is being fulfilled, the second wish remained unfulfilled as it was left to the family regarding the nature of the celebration. John D’Souza in his toast address highlighted the finer qualities of Fr. Edwin. He said that Fr. Edwin has been a jovial, witty and affectionate person. While in Amravati he spent most of his time with the poor and marginalized. He could mix with people from different backgrounds. 

 

Bishop Gerald Lobo in his felicitation oration highlighted the finer qualities of a priest and the amount of sacrifice that a priest has to do to serve the church and the society. On behalf of the Diocese of Udupi the Bishop honoured Fr. Edwin D’Souza by offering him shawl and a garland. 

 

Archbishop Albert D’Souza, Msgr. Mathew D’Souza, Rev. Sr. Eugene D’Souza and Fr. Clement Mascarenhas in their respective felicitation messages congratulated Fr. Edwin D’Souza for having completed fifty years of priesthood and wished him good health and peace of mind. Sr. Eugene said that it was Fr. Edwin who had inspired her to join the religious life and it was he who chose the Sisters of the Holy Cross of Chavanod congregation for her  of which she is presently the Superior General. 

 

In his response to the felicitation function, Fr. Edwin D’Souza said that it was 13 years ago that such a gathering was organized in the premises of the Mudartha House when his father Immanuel D’Souza (Monnu Master) celebrated centenary birthday. He recalled the strong foundation in faith and prayer that his parents had laid which enabled not only him but 6 out of 13 children to follow Christ. He also recalled the circumstances that led to his ordination in Moodubelle, the first of its kind and expressed his happiness that he could celebrate the thanksgiving mass on the same day fifty years later in the same church. 

 

Ronald Sabi D’Souza proposed the vote of thanks in his own witty way. Godwin D’Souza anchored the entire programme in an excellent manner narrating the main milestones in the priestly life of Fr. Edwin D’Souza. Rev. Dr. Valerian D’Souza recited the grace before the meals.