A LOVING AND CHEERFUL PRIEST RETURNS TO GOD FR LEVIS GOMES SJ: 1964 -2022
Well-known Jesuit priest, Fr Levis Gomes SJ, will be missed by his many friends in Goa, Ajra, Khanapur, Tanzania, and the Philippines. Fr Levis, as he was lovingly known, offered his life in selfless service to God and humanity during his 36 years in the Society of Jesus. On 24 January, he breathed his last in Margao, Goa. He went to his home to be with his mother and to celebrate her birthday. He was not aware that would be his last day here in this world. Just as he was welcomed into the world by his mother, it was his mother who bid him farewell as well. The Goa Jesuit Province has lost a young and dynamic priest. Levis was born in Mbale, Uganda, on 24 March 1964, to his loving and lovely parents—Maria and Alexio Gomes. His parents brought him up with much care and affection, along with his siblings—Libby, Luis, and Luiza. Having experienced God’s love in and through his family, he decided to be a priest and entered the Society of Jesus on 10 June 1985. Two years later, after his novitiate, he pronounced his First Vows at Sadhanalaya, Nashik. The Jesuits sent him to Vinayalaya, Mumbai, where he did a year of Humanities, followed by a Bachelor Degree in Arts at Rani Parvati Devi College, Belgaum from 1989-1991. For his religious formation, Levis was sent to Jnana Deepa Vidyapeeth, Pune, where he studied Philosophy—and after 3 years of regency—returned to Pune to study Theology. Regency is a special time in the training of one who wishes to become a priest. It is a testing time and an opportunity to get a sense of serious work and service. In 1993, Levis worked at Rosary Boarding, Ajra, and then was sent to Lake Secondary School, Mwanza, Tanzania, from 1994-96. He kept up his Kiswahili and his face would light up if you greeted him with a hearty “Jambo!” Fr Levis Gomes was a man who served in various ministries with commitment and zeal. He enjoyed different languages—English, Konkani, Marathi, and Swahili. He served in the Mission Parishes of Khanapur (2000) and Ajra (2001), was Director of the Young Retreat Movement in Old Goa (2003-2006), Director of the Xavier Retreat House in Baga (2007-2012), Socius or Assistant to the Provincial (2012-2014). Between these years of service, there were opportunities for further reflection and growth: A year at Loyola School of Theology at CEFAM, Manila, Philipines, where he earned his Diploma in Family Ministries and Counselling (2001-02). Later, in 2006, he cherished six months at Sacred Heart College, Shembaganur, for the Jesuit tertianship--a sort of “School of the Heart”—before he pronounced his Final Vows as a Jesuit priest. Levis had outstanding apostolic and ministerial capabilities with a creative mind using his skills in art, craft, music, and games to accompany people on their journey to God. He was a diligent administrator and was imaginative in his pastoral outreach to present God’s Word in a thought-provoking manner. He had a strong ability to relate well to people and to share with them the Good News of the Gospel through the Spiritual Exercises of St Ignatius of Loyola. He had an aesthetic sense and used it in creating a suitable environment for prayer and reflection for the retreatants. Unfortunately, Levis met with a terrible road accident in December, 2014. With the prayers of family and friends, and the tireless efforts of doctors and nurses, gradually he was able to walk. Even while recuperating at Pedro Arrupe Institute, Raia, Levis would call up different people and offer them little messages of hope and courage. One more cheerful loving priest has lived his life with love and has gone home to God. - Jesuit Communications Team ᐧ ᐧ
