SILVER JUBILEE OF THE ORDINATION
OF
FR. JEROME D’SOUZA, S. J.
OF MUMBAI JESUIT PROVINCE
(APRIL 14, 1984 – 2009)
Fr. Jerome D’Souza, (popularly known as Fr. Jerry) is a Jesuit Priest celebrates his 25 Years of Priesthood in April 2009. He was ordained on April 14, 1984 at Holy Family Parish, Chakala, Andheri East, Mumbai – 400 050.
Born in Bishop’s Compound, Attavar of Milagres Parish he completed his primary education at St. Joseph’s Elementary School, Jeppu. Then continued his studies at Milagres High School till 8 Std. He then joined the minor seminary at Mysore for the Archdiocese of Calcutta. After completing his High school studies in St. Philomena’s High School in Mysore, he did his PUC At St. Philomena’s College, Mysore. The following year he was sent to St. Joseph’s Seminary Mangalore. He spent two years doing his Juniorate studies. Soon after Juniorate studies he was sent to Calcutta to Morning Star College to continue his studies in Philosophy. After Philosophy he was sent to St. Aloysius High School in Howrah to teach in school and help out in the parish and in the boarding school.
That was the TURNING POINT of his life. After a year of teaching in the school he discontinued his studies to the priesthood and asked for a year’s break. He went to Mumbai for a year’s working experience and also to reconsider his vocation to the priesthood or/and religious life. He was deeply drawn by the Jesuits who were his next door neighbours at Jeppu.
While in Mumbai working in a company he met the Jesuits at Holy Family Parish in Chakala, Andheri. It was way back in 1972. And that was the beginning. While working he was in contact with the Jesuits at Vinayalaya, Andheri. After a year’s working experience he felt the need to return – not to continue to study theology to be diocesan priest but to join the Jesuits in Mumbai.
In June 1974 he joined the Jesuit Novitiate in Andheri, Mumbai. Completed his novitiate training followed by Juniorate studies and college studies and regency in Holy Family School and Parish, at Andheri. In 1981 he was sent for Theology studies in Jnana Deep Vidyapeeth at Pune. He was ordained in April 1984.
Immediately after his ordination he was appointed as an Assistant to Parish Priest at the same parish where he was ordained. From May 1984 to June 1992 for eight years he worked in this parish with great enthusiasm and creativity in various areas of the parish ministry. One of his great innovative ministries was the confirmation preparation programme for the college students. In the history of the Archdiocese of Mumbai it was at Holy Family Parish the Sacrament of Confirmation was administered for the first time to the College Youth by Bishop Bosco Penha. Today the whole Archdiocese is following the lead given by Holy Family Parish thanks to Fr. Jerry’s dedicated service to Holy Family Parish and the Archdiocese of Mumbai. Fr. Jerry says that even today whenever Bishop Bosco Penha meets him thanks him for the gift he has given to the Archdiocese of Mumbai. A second great achievement was the Konkani Liturgy and ministry in the same parish. People from the neighbouring parishes used to flock to Holy Family Parish for Konkani Liturgy specially during Holy Week and Christmas and New Year. They were conducted with great meaningfulness, devotion, reverence and prayerful environment. With his singing and musical talents he organized and made Sunday and Feast days liturgies of the Parish enriching. He worked tirelessly for 7 years in the parish and possibly the best years of his parish ministry.
In 1992 June he was transferred to National Sodality Centre, (Seva Niketan) at Byculla to work with CLC groups at Archdiocesan level as well as at the National Level. In 1998 He was appointed the National Ecclesiastical Assistant of the Christian Life Community (formerly known as the Sodality of our Lady). For 4 years he worked with great zeal to promote CLC in various dioceses of the country. In 1998 he represented India with two lay CLC delegates at the World CLC Assembly in Brazil.
In 2001, after 16 years of dedicated service in pastoral ministry he was sent to Loyola University, Chicago, USA for a sabbatical and for further studies in Pastoral Counselling and Spiritual Direction. He returned to India with a MA degree in Pastoral Counselling and Spiritual Guidance. On his return in 2003 he was appointed to the Retreat House (Jivan Vikas Sadan) at Bandra (Close to the Shrine of Our Lady of the Mount), Mumbai – 400 050. He took over as the director of the Retreat House in 2005 and till date continues to be the director, Spiritual Guide and Counselor.
During these 6 years at the Retreat House he has renovated the whole place. Spiritually he has been promoting the Mind – Body – Spirit integrated psycho-spiritual retreats to lay and religious men and women. He says his mission is to bring in INNER HEALING in the lives of people in and through the retreat ministry, personal counseling and guidance to youth, adults and to the elderly who are struggling, stressed out and disturbed mentally, physically, emotionally, sexually, socially and spiritually. His mission today is to accompany people on one-to-one basis. No doubt it is tiring, demanding, challenging, time consuming and requiring patience.
One of the special retreats he conducts is called A PATHWAY TO INNER HEALING. It is based on his personal psycho-socio-spiritual journey. Those who have gone through this retreat experience with him have experienced great transformation in their lives. He says this retreat is for those who are struggling with negative feelings of rejection, anger, fear, anxiety, guilt, resentment, shame, lust, depression, etc. It is a five day integral journey of the mind-body-spirit to know oneself deeply and go to roots of illnesses to heal oneself of the memories of the past which cripple and do not allow a person to grow into fullness of life for which one is created for and Jesus came for.
This has been a very special gift of the Holy Spirit during the Six years of his retreat ministry at the Retreat House in Bandra, Mumbai. In the 25th year of his priestly ministry Fr. Jerry strongly feels the need for spiritual and psychic healing of the person in a world galloping in information technology and multi media animation and domination.
CONGRATULATIONS TO YOU DEAR FR. JERRY……
GOD BLESS YOU IN A VERY SPECIAL WAY
ON THE OCCASION OF
YOUR 25 YEARS OF PRIESTLY MINISTRY !
Best Wishes From
Family Members