Fr. Cyprian D’Souza – Mangalorean Star
Fr. Cyprian is a Man of few words but mighty actions. Whenever he attends meetings at various prayer groups of the Parish, he prefers to watch and listen, but beneath his silence, lie, wisdom and deep thoughts. Most of us know Fr. Cyprian as one of the most active priests of St. Mary’s Church, Dubai. It would be interesting to know about Fr. Cyprian’s life Kaleidoscope, even before he stepped into Dubai.
Fr. Cyprian was born on 16th September 1965, in a place called Permude near Bajpe. His dad late Salvadore D’Souza, was the head master of a local higher primary school and his mother Mrs. Lucy D’souza, was a house wife. They are altogether eleven children to their parents, (seven were girls and four boys). He is the tenth child in the family. They named him “Peter – after the assistant parish priest of Bajpe at that time (Fr. Peter Noronha) who was rendering lot of service to the Permude parish and also building a presbytery. Fr. Peter Noronha, as you all know, is now the Parish priest of St. Sebastian’s church in Bendur. His second name “Cyprian” was because he was born on the feast day of Saint Cyprian. Among the four boys, two are priests, his brother who is older than him; Fr.Valerian Stany D’souza is a missionary in North India Diocese of Varanasi.
After completing his higher primary in St. Francis Xavier School at Hunsekatte in 1977, he completed his high school by staying in Assisi house, Kodialbail Mangalore. At that time Fr. Baptist Braggs was the director. While he was studying in tenth Standard, on 18th June 1980, his Father passed away. It was shocking news for him and he found it really hard to accept the realities of life at that time. His director gave him lot of support, courage and strength to bear this loss. Though he was intending to become a missionary and joined the Lucknow diocese he later on changed his mind and joined the Capuchins. Fr. Baptist Braggs who was a local model for him after Christ and St. Francis inspired him to join the Capuchins. He asked him a simple question – ‘Do you want serve the poor or do something else?’ His mother also encouraged him to join the Capuchins, because she was under the impression that missionaries would be far away from their hometown. His elder brother Valerian was already far away from home, and she did not want him to repeat the same.
In the year 1981, Fr, Cyprian joined the Capuchins, and was sent to Goa Navelim padre pio Friary for their Orientation Course for one year. Fr.Mahesh Lobo and his team trained them and shaped them up. After completing their Orientation Course in Goa, he joined St. Aloysius College for the Pre-University Course, and was residing in St.Anne’s Friary – Mangalore. Fr. Charles F. Saldanha and Fr. William Andrade were directors of St. Anne’s Friary that time. After finishing his pre-degree in 1984, he continued with his Postulancy in Farangipet, under the directorship of Fr. Desmond Rebello, and his Novitiate (Novice Master was Fr.Terance D’souza). Then three years of Philosophy course and graduation in Deena Seva Ashram, under the guidance of Fr. Remegious Sequeira and his team. In the year 1988-89, he did Regency in Itarsi – Madhya Pradesh, under Fr. Tarcy Mathias’s guidance. There he got an opportunity to learn Hindi language. After that, he did his four years of studies in Theology under the Rector ship of Fr. Anil Sequeira. Then finally, he did deaconate ministry in St. Mary’s Church at Virajpet – Madikeri. (Fr.Vincent Fernandes was the parish priest).
Fr. Cyprian was ordained as a priest on 19th May 1994, at St. John the Baptist Church Permude by Rt. Rev. Bishop Ignatius Pinto. His First posting was at Deena Seva Ashram Capuchin Philosophate at Bangalore as administrator, Kitchen In-charge, Treasurer, Music Master and teacher. It was for three years.
Before coming to Dubai he was sent to Moodubelle, in the Mangalore diocese for two months, Under Fr. J. J. Saldanha for the pastoral experience
His second posting was in St. Mary’s Church – Dubai. He arrived in Dubai on 11th June 1997, and kept serving till date. He had the opportunity to serve under Fr. Daniel Cerfolini and he is now under Fr. Peter P.M.
In his physical appearance, Fr. Cyprian has not changed much over the past 8 years, except that he looks stronger than what he was eight years ago. Once, when we asked Fr. Cyprian, if he has gained weight after coming to Dubai, he said YES I did, but this is only because of your loving presence around me. “Gaining weight and loosing hair is very common in Dubai isn’t it ? Fr. Cyprian says.
When asked “Are you keeping the same good health even after 8 years of your stay in Dubai?” Fr. Cyprian says – “No not really! One’s blood pressure will never be the same, after serving at St. Mary’s Parish, Dubai. This being the largest Parish in the Vicariate of Arabia and even one of the biggest in the world with an estimated number of 50,000 parishioners, the needs and problems of the people are so wide and varied that tensions, anxieties and restlessness is bound to surround you. But I feel Happy and contented, that I have been able to guide and counsel so many of our parishioners; I have been able to save many marriages and rescue families that were on the verge of break”
Some of his childhood memories which he cherishes:
“When I was born, I was named “Peter” as a mark of respect for the asst. parish priest of our parish, but my grand father who was also well known in our parish as Peter D’Souza did not like it because his name was given to someone in the family, while he was still alive.
“Until fourth standard I was not so good in studies. I was just an average student in class. My class teacher at that time used to warn my parents and this would irritate them a lot. From Fifth standard onwards there was a turning point in my life and I always did well in my studies. So my humble plea to all parents is not to worry when your child does not stand “first” in the class especially during their early years in school. It is enough if a child learns to stick to that rule “work while you work, play while you play this is the way to remain healthy and gay”.
Fr. Cyprian was good in sports and was a good athlete too. He was a good runner and has got quite a number of prizes to his credit. He was also good in shot put and volleyball is his favorite game. People remember him as a “smasher”, specially the seminarians.
An incident that gave him real joy:
“In second year P.U.C., I got a distinction in Political science, and stood first in the class and I got an honorary certificate and cash prize of twenty five rupees.”
Give us a brief description about your life in Dubai and guidance you have given to various associations?
“St. Mary’s Church, Dubai taught me so many things I didn’t know in the past. I had the opportunity to serve people from different nationalities, cultures and languages. I thank God for giving me the opportunity to be the Spiritual Director of the Konkan Community, Sri Lankan Community, African Community, Couples for Christ, Marriage Encounter Group, English Charismatic Group, Novem Jerusalem(Konkani Prayer Group) Jesus Mary Joseph Prayer Group (Konkani Prayer Group), Choir Groups(English and Different languages), Pro-cana Youth Group, Come Alive Youth Group. God gave me an opportunity to bless more than four hundred couples, more than eight thousand young people preparing for marriages, a good number of Married couples for counseling, Baptizing thousands of children and being present for the funerals and ample opportunities to celebrate mass and hear confessions. I thank God for giving me this opportunity. “
Can you recall any incident in your life that has given you special joy?
The incident in my life that has given a special joy is – helping the needy people, and their letter of thanks.
If you could meet only one person in history, who would it be? Why?
In the History the best person I wanted to meet is Mother Theresa, for her great love for humanity.
Fr. Cyprian’s message to Mangalorean.com readers:
Life is short let us try our best to good wherever we are and work for the enlistment of the community and Humanity.
The following momentoes and/or the honours Fr. Cyprian received for the services he rendered:
1. Karaval milan Kalyanpur and Kundapoor Varado Association Dubai
2. The Lay Ministers of St.Mary’s Church Dubai
3. Lourdes Kanajar Association Dubai
4. Caltex Road star Award Dubai
5. St.Mary’s Konkanni Community Dubai
6. St.Mary’s Church Dubai
7. Malayalee Catholic Congregation Dubai
8. The Malayalee Charismatic Prayer group Dubai
9. St.Mary’s African Community Dubai
10. St.Mary’s Philiphino community Dubai
11. Couples for Christ Dubai
12. El shadai Prayer group Dubai
13. St.mary’ Sri Lankan Community Dubai
14. Come alive Youth group Dubai
15. St.Mary’s Urdu community(Pakistani) Dubai
16. Pamboorians U.A.E.
17. Konkani Prayer group Sharjah On Behalf of Konkanni community of Sharjah
18. Konkani Cultural organisation on Behalf of Konkanni communit Abudhabi
19. Novem Jerusalem (Konkani Prayer group Dubai)
20. Jesus Mary Joseph Prayer group Dubai
21. Konkan Yuva Youth group Dubai
22. Mangalore Konkans Dubai
23. Emirates Pangalites Dubai
24. St.Francis Konkanni Commuity Jebel Ali
25. Udenthchim Neketra Moodubidri Varado Catholic Association Dubai
26. English Charismatic Prayer group Dubai
27. St.Mary’s Konkanni Choir Dubai
28. Marriage Encounter Family
29. St.Mary’s Goan Sodality Dubai
30. Byndoor Association Dubai
31. Comboni Sisters Dubai
32. Capuchin Fathers Dubai
33. Belle Vision Dubai
34. Pernalites Dubai
35. Udhavarites Dubai
36. Putturians Dubai
37. St.Mary’s Association Shirva Dubai
38. Katapadi Association Dubai
39. Mudarangadi Zamat Dubai
40. Belman Zamat Dubai
Mangalorean.com wishes Fr. Cyprian all the very best in his future endeavors.
Submitted by: Claude Fernandes, UAE
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Comments:
Soman Mathews, India:
Request most urgent prayers for my immediate Promotion in office, so that I can help many and can donate more for Gospel Works and for Charity Works.
Fr.Desmond Rebello, Canada:
dear fathers
Since i was studying in Monte de guirm i would request u if u could give me the details of Fr.Desmond Rebello, Fr.Lawrence dilraj, Fr Luke…they were in Guirim in the years of 1975 to 1985