Demise of Fr Claude D'souza - St. Anthony's Church

It is with a deep sense of loss, sheer heartbreak, and resignation to God's will that we remember and celebrate with joy and gratitude, the life and times of our beloved Rev. Fr. Claude D'souza, co-pastor of the St. Anthony's Roman Catholic Church, Paharganj, New Delhi. He was called to the Lord on 14th September 2013 (his 66th birthday), at about 7.30 pm at the Holy Family Hospital, Okhla, New Delhi after a prolonged illness, most patiently borne for the previous two months.

The funeral mass was held at 9.30 am on 16th September 2013 at the Sacred Heart Cathedral, New Delhi. The mass was celebrated by Archbishop Anil Couto, and a host of over 50 priests. The parishioners, nuns and teachers of St. Anthony's church and school were also present. This was followed by a burial at York Cemetery, Prithviraj Road at about 11.30 am. A bus was arranged from the Cathedral to the graveyard.

About Fr. Claude D'Souza

Fr. Claude was a simple no-nonsense and well-organised  holy priest, with total and complete dedication to our blessed Lord, Our Lady and an intense dedication to St. Anthony's side-alter where he could be seen praying anytime of the day, despite his protracted bout with acute rheumatism. From his vantage point at the alter, he would survey all the faithful attending the services, and he would signal everybody in his inimitable way, whether it was directing people to the empty pews in the front of the church, or ticking of a wayward visitor, gesturing for a second collection, or tying up loose ends for the next St.Vincent de Paul meeting.

St.Anthony's Roman Catholic Church, Paharganj, New Delhi

Everything that Fr. Claude D'souza did, he did with that special elan, aplomb, and a simple down-to-earth candour, which ensured a more meaningful and memorable Mass service, without goof-ups, a faux pas or a bad taste in the mouth. He always ensured that the faithful evinced keen interest in the liturgy, participated in the services, and went back home rejuvenated in our blessed Lord.

When Father Claude was around, you always knew that he was in complete spiritual control of all possibilities and situations, and it was easy for us Sunday Mass-goers to sync and settle down to a very rewarding experience, each and every time we attended mass at St. Anthony's Roman Catholic church.

Background Information

Fr.Claude D'souza was a Manglorean from Karnataka, but was born in Pune, Maharastra on the 14th of September 1947. He was the eldest of two brothers and three sisters. Fr.Claude studied at St. Mary's school and St. Aloysius College (Mangalore), before joining St. Peter's Seminary in Bangalore, Pontifical Athenaeum seminary in Pune and Pratiksha seminary in Delhi. He was ordained priest by the late archbishop of Delhi, His Grace Angelo Fernandes on 14th May 1978. Fr. Claude served in various parishes, including St.Michael's Church (Pusa Road) and St. John the Baptist church.

May His Soul Rest in Peace