//Fr. Ambrose D’Souza, SJ (KAR) 1955 – 2021

Fr. Ambrose D’Souza, SJ (KAR) 1955 – 2021

Ambu, as he was affectionately called, was born at Alnavar in Belgaum diocese, on 20 March 1955. Responding to God’s call, Ambrose joined the Society of Jesus on 20 June 1981 at Mt St Joseph, Bengaluru, at the age of 26. He was ordained a priest on 29 December, 1993 at St Rita’s Church, Mundgod, the Jesuit Mission which was dear to his heart. He pronounced his final vows at Loyola School in Jakhama-Nagaland on 1 November, 2004.

One could portray Fr Ambrose as a happy Jesuit who made others happy. Throughout his priestly life, except for a short stint as administrator at St Aloysius College, Mangaluru and again at Papal Seminary, Pune, he enjoyed being a pastor. It was as a pastor that he served zealously in various parishes and mission centers of the Province and of different dioceses of Karnataka.

Fr Ambrose was friendly, humane, compassionate and approachable. The rich and the poor, the young and the old, found him approachable and understanding. His infectious smile seldom failed to bring joy and laughter whenever he conversed with Jesuits, fellow religious or lay people. With the sudden demise of dear Fr Ambrose D’Souza the Karnataka Province and the Church in Karnataka has lost a zealous pastor.

On 23rd April, Fr Ambrose tested COVID positive, and was admitted to Fr Muller’s Hospital in Mangaluru. Despite intensive medical treatment for nearly three weeks during which he battled for life, Ambrose finally succumbed to COVID-19 and breathed his last in the early hours of 12th May. At the time of his last illness, he was the parish priest of St Peter’s Church at Jagir Pannur in Bellary diocese. Adieu, dear Fr Ambrose, till we meet again.