Rt. Rev. Msgr. William A. Lewis
Co-FounderMilagres PU College, Kallianpur
Est. 1967
Rt. Rev. Msgr. William A. Lewis
A true shepherd does not wait for the flock to come to him — he goes to where they are, and lifts them up.
— In the spirit of Rt. Rev. Msgr. William A. LewisRt. Rev. Msgr. William A. Lewis was a distinguished priest, administrator, and compassionate shepherd who dedicated his life to the service of the Church and the people of the Diocese of Mangalore. Born in Trasi and ordained in 1931, he rose to serve as Vicar General and Vicar Capitular of the Diocese — offices that placed him at the very heart of ecclesiastical governance.
Yet it is not offices or titles that define his legacy. It is his pastoral warmth, generosity of spirit, and steadfast support of those working for the good of the people that truly set him apart. He stood as a pillar of strength beside the octogenarian founder, Msgr. Denis Jerome D'Souza, helping bring the dream of Milagres PU College to life in 1967.
Shepherd. Administrator. Benefactor.
Three faces of a life devoted to faith, service, and the upliftment of his people.
The Shepherd
Known for his pastoral care and generosity, Msgr. Lewis was a priest who truly lived the calling of service. He stood close to the people — listening, guiding, and lifting them through faith and compassionate action.
The Administrator
As Vicar General and Vicar Capitular of the Diocese of Mangalore, Msgr. Lewis combined spiritual leadership with sound administrative wisdom. His governance was marked by fairness, clarity, and a deep sense of responsibility toward the Church and community.
The Benefactor
His pivotal support to the aged founder, Msgr. Denis Jerome D'Souza, in establishing Milagres College in 1967 reflects the depth of his commitment to education and social progress. Without his backing, the founder's dream might have remained just that — a dream.
An Illustrious Son of Kallianpur
Rt. Rev. Msgr. William A. Lewis was born in Trasi and felt called to the priesthood from his earliest years. Ordained in 1931, he entered a life of total service — first to his parish community, and then to the Diocese of Mangalore at large, where his abilities and character were quickly recognised.
His appointment as Vicar General placed him among the most senior administrators of the Diocese, acting as the Bishop's chief deputy and overseeing the daily governance of Church affairs. His subsequent role as Vicar Capitular — the administrator of the Diocese during a period of episcopal vacancy — further testified to the trust and respect he had earned.
But Msgr. Lewis was never merely an office-holder. He was a man of the people. His pastoral care, generosity, and commitment to the upliftment of the community were the true hallmarks of his priesthood. When the elderly Msgr. Denis Jerome D'Souza conceived the bold dream of founding a college for the children of farmers and rural families, it was Msgr. Lewis who stood beside him — lending his authority, wisdom, and support to make it a reality.
The people of Kallianpur and the surrounding region continue to remember him with gratitude and reverence, honouring him as an Illustrious Son of Kallianpur whose life was a gift to all who crossed his path.