By Thomas Scaria
Mangaluru, Nov 20, 2025: Jesuit Father Swebert D’Silva, a prominent educationist and renowned visionary in the southern state of Karnataka, died November 20, following a massive cardiac arrest. He was 68.
He died at 1:15 pm at St Philomena Hospital in Bengaluru, Karnataka capital.
His sudden death has deeply saddened colleagues, students, alumni, and well-wishers across Karnataka.
“It was a life of selfless service, boundless love and unwavering faith”, said Jesuit Father Praveen Martis, the vice chancellor of the St. Aloysisus University in Mangaluru.
In a message to Matters India, Father Martis recalled that Father D’Silva had served as the principal of St Aloysius College from 2007 to 2017, contributing significantly to the institution’s academic and administrative growth.
Father D’Silva had also served as the rector and pro-chancellor of St Joseph’s University, Bengaluru.
Jesuit Father Victor Lobo, the vice chancellor of St Joseph’s University, requested everyone to pray for the repose of his soul and expressed his condolences in a message.
Several members of the Jesuit community shared their tributes, acknowledging the confrere’s steadfast commitment to education, social service, and pastoral care. He was serving as the director of Arrupe Nivas, Bengaluru, at the time of his death.
The funeral will be held at 3 pm on November 22 at the university grounds in Bengaluru.
A native of Udyavar in Udupi district, he completed his early education and graduation at Udyavar and St Aloysius College, Mangaluru. He did his Masters in Science at Loyola College, Chennai, and an M Phil at Madras Christian College, Tambaram.
He studied philosophy at Sacred Heart College, Satya Nilayam, Chennai, and theological studies at Jnana Deepa Vidyapeeth, Pune. He was ordained a priest on April 22, 1991.
Father D’Silva SJ celebrated his 50 years in the Society of Jesus, on June 13 at the St Joseph’s University campus.
Jesuit Father Clarence D’Souza, who preached the homily, said Father D’Silva’s unwavering faith in God had helped him remain committed to his Jesuit vocation despite challenges.
Jesuit Father Denzil Lobo, who had decades-long association with the jubilarian, hailed his dedicated service as teacher, principal, and administrator across the Josephite and Aloysian institutions in Bangalore and Mangalore.
Father Dionysius Vaz, Jesuit’s Karnataka provincial, highlighted Father D’Silva’s transformative leadership in shaping St Aloysius College into a deemed-to-be university, blending infrastructure development with value-based education.