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Birth Date :  27 December, 1940
Ordained Priest :  31 May, 1992
Joined V.O.K :  2 March, 1962

Deacon Sylvester D’Souza was born on 27th December, 1940 in the Kayyar village of the diocese of Mangalore, in Karnataka, India. He came to Kuwait on 16th December, 1960 and worked for a short period in the private sector. On 2nd March, 1962, at the request of the then Bishop of Kuwait, His Excellency Ubaldo Theophano Stella O.C.D., Deacon Sylvester joined the Holy Family Cathedral and continued working until the Bishop’s retirement on 4th June, 1966.

His Excellency Victor Sanmiguel O.C.D., came to Kuwait as an administrator on 6th June 1966 and was later elevated to Bishop of Kuwait. It was Bishop Victor Sanmiguel who sowed the seeds of desire in Deacon Sylvester’s heart to become an ordained Deacon. But due to the unavailability of a seminary in Kuwait, this desire could not be pursued.

After Bishop Victor Sanmiguel’s departure from Kuwait, Bishop Francis Micallef O.C.D. took over on 8th January 1982. Expressing his desire to be ordained a married Deacon, Bishop Francis Micallef appointed two priests, one of whom had a Doctorate in Theology, to acquaint Deacon Sylvester with Moral and Dogmatic Theology and the Bishop himself took up the task of teaching Deacon Sylvester Canon Law. Deacon Sylvester continued his studies in Theology and other related subjects for five years and in his final year joined the Carmelarum Theological College in Bangalore, where he obtained his certificate for ordination as a permanent Deacon.

Deacon Sylvester was finally ordained on 31st May, 1992 at the hands of his Lordship Bishop Francis Micallef O.C.D., on a very auspicious day since it is also the feast of the Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary, our beloved Mother.

Deacon Sylvester continues to work in the service of the Lord and His Church.