Fr. Richard D’Souza SJ is a Jesuit priest and scientist at the Vatican Observatory, where he blends his deep faith with his passion for astronomy. From an early age, Richard was fascinated by the universe, a pursuit he continued alongside his vocation to the priesthood, despite personal losses. While he was in his priestly formation period, his only brother died from cerebral malaria. His parents would have liked him to come back from the seminary but allowed him to continue his journey. The loss of his brother made him only stronger in his faith and his desire to follow the Lord. After becoming a priest in Goa in 2011, he earned a doctorate in astronomy from the Max Planck Institute in Munich, Germany, and completed his post-doctoral research at the University of Michigan, USA. Now one of twelve scientists at the Vatican Observatory, Fr. Richard is known for his humility and dedication, viewing the universe as a profound testament to God’s creation. In this interview, Sr. Sonia engages with Fr. Richard to explore his unique journey and insights.
Interviewed by Sr Soniya K Chacko DC
Could you please introduce yourself and share your vocation story, including your family background and journey with the Society of Jesus?
I am Fr. Richard D’Souza SJ from Goa, India, and I belong to the Goa Province of the Society of Jesus. Currently, I serve as a staff astronomer at the Vatican Observatory in Castel Gandolfo, Rome, and from July of this year, I also hold the position of superior of the Jesuit community at the Observatory. My journey with the Jesuits began during my time at St. Britto High School in Mapusa, Goa, where I was introduced to their way of life and felt a deep attraction to it. After completing higher secondary school, I entered the Jesuit novitiate in Belgaum, Karnataka, in 1996. I was ordained a priest in December 2011, marking over a decade of my priesthood. Regarding my family, I come from a simple background. My parents, who are currently living in Goa, worked in Kuwait but returned as refugees after the Gulf War when I was 12. I had a brother who passed away shortly after I joined the novitiate. Despite these challenges, my parents supported my vocation, and I cherish the profound influence of my Jesuit education and upbringing.
As a child, were you fascinated by the stars and the moon? When did your interest in astronomy begin, and how do you feel about your dual role as a scientist and priest?
From a young age, I was always drawn to the sciences and engineering. Although I wasn’t initially focused specifically on astronomy, my interest deepened when I joined the Jesuits. I read extensively about their work in astronomy and the sciences, and my Jesuit superiors encouraged me to specialize in astronomy during my formation. This support greatly fuelled my passion for the field.
As a scientist-priest, I find a deep sense of fulfillment in my work. While my research is my primary focus, I also help at a local Italian parish on Sundays and celebrate the Holy Mass. I’ve always enjoyed preaching and leading Mass, and after my ordination, I began offering courses on theology and scripture for the laity. Today, I see my vocation as reaching out to the scientific community, a group that the Church sometimes finds challenging to engage with. Balancing these roles allows me to connect faith and science in meaningful ways.
When did you complete your studies as a priest and as a scientist, and why did you choose to study astrophysics in Germany despite having renowned research centres in India? How did the Max Planck Institute influence your career, and what is your current research focus?
I completed most of my priestly studies in Pune, India, finishing them in 2011. For my scientific studies, I started with a master’s degree in Physics at the University of Heidelberg, Germany, before completing my priestly formation. Afterward, I pursued a PhD in astronomy at the Max Planck Institute for Astrophysics in Munich.
Choosing Germany for my astrophysics studies was partly to gain experience at an esteemed foreign institution. At the time, Indian institutions were more focused on theoretical work and radio astronomy, with less emphasis on optical astronomy. The Max Planck Society, with its premier institutes in astronomy and cosmology, provided significant exposure to international research and advanced facilities. My research at these institutes, particularly on the formation and evolution of galaxies, has been deeply enriching. I focus on understanding the history of galaxies like our Milky Way, which has been a fulfilling aspect of my scientific career.
How do you balance your call to priesthood and science, and do they complement each other? How did you come to work at the Vatican Observatory, and what does your daily routine involve? How do you feel about being part of the tradition of priest-scientists?
For me, priesthood and science are deeply intertwined. My Jesuit superiors specifically encouraged me to pursue astronomy and work at the Vatican Observatory, integrating my scientific work with my religious mission. Working at the Observatory allows me to contribute to the Church’s mission of preaching the Gospel and engaging with the scientific community. As a Catholic, I believe that exploring the universe only deepens my appreciation for God’s creation, bringing me closer to the Creator.
I was approached by the Vatican Observatory during my master’s studies, which led to my training and subsequent role here. I’ve been at the Observatory in Rome for the past three years. My daily routine involves conducting astronomical research, writing papers, and presenting findings to the scientific community. I also engage in public talks to demonstrate how science and religion can harmoniously coexist. Being part of the tradition of priest-scientists is a source of pride for me. I hope to contribute meaningfully to this esteemed group and serve both the Church and the broader scientific community with dedication and integrity.
How do you relate human existence to the vast realities of the universe through your research, and how does your work at the Vatican Observatory reflect this understanding? Are there other priest-scientists working with you, and how does your faith influence your scientific work? Also, do you have any interest in space exploration? Human existence raises fundamental questions that astronomy seeks to answer: Where do we come from? Where are we going? And are we alone in the universe?
My research focuses on the origin of the universe, galaxies, stars, and planets, which ties into these existential inquiries. Understanding the future of the universe involves studying dark energy and the accelerated expansion of the cosmos, while the search for extraterrestrial life probes whether we are alone.
At the Vatican Observatory, I am part of a community of about 13 priests and brothers who work as astronomers. Our work is deeply rooted in faith, and as the Psalmist sings, “the heavens are telling the glory of God,” I find that my research, which seeks to understand the intricacies of nature, is a way of joining in that praise. The more I discover, the more I am in awe of God’s creation. While my work involves using space-based telescopes, I don’t have any plans or need to go into space myself. My focus remains on studying the universe from here on Earth, using the tools and technology available to us.
What are your contributions as a scientist to the Church and the world?
One of my key contributions to science is understanding how galaxies grow by deciphering their merger history. Galaxies increase in size not only by forming new stars but also through mergers with smaller galaxies due to gravitational forces. Reconstructing this merger history, especially for distant galaxies like the Milky Way, is complex. My research has made significant strides in determining the mass and size of the largest galaxy that merged with a parent galaxy, advancing our understanding in this area. As a Jesuit priest and scientist, I also aim to demonstrate the harmony between science and religion. I am dedicated to highlighting the Church’s rich tradition of Catholic scientists and promoting the idea that faith and science are compatible and can work together.
What is M32p, which you discovered with Eric Bell in 2018?
In 2018, along with Eric Bell, I demonstrated that the Andromeda galaxy, our nearest galactic neighbour, had merged with a galaxy about half the size of the Milky Way. The remnant of this merged galaxy is now a smaller galaxy known as M32. We named the original galaxy, which was almost entirely consumed in the process, M32p.
Father Richard, I found 23 projects listed on the Cornell website that you have been involved in. Congratulations! Could you briefly explain these projects? Are these the only projects you’ve worked on?
Thank you! The 23 projects you found on the Cornell website represent a collection of my work published over the years. Whenever we complete a project and publish a paper, we archive it in a publicly accessible repository. Throughout my career, I have participated in several astronomical projects, most of which focus on studying the accretion history of galaxies. These are not the only projects I’ve worked on, but they highlight some key areas of my research.
How do you view the Church’s stance on faith, religion, and science, especially considering its history with figures like Galileo, and how did the Vatican Observatory come to be established?
The Church has a balanced perspective on faith and science, recognizing the value of how they can work together. Over the years, various Church documents and letters from the Holy Fathers, particularly John Paul II, have highlighted the compatibility of science and faith. However, the Church has made mistakes in the past, such as in the case of Galileo and other scientific issues like evolution, where theological concerns seemed to conflict with scientific discoveries. It’s hoped that the Church has learned from these past missteps.
Despite the Galileo controversy, the Church has always had a deep interest in the sciences. Even during Galileo’s time, many Catholic priests were astronomers and scientists who made significant contributions and even engaged in debates with Galileo. Some of Galileo’s ideas were correct, while others were not, but these discussions were part of a larger tradition of scientific inquiry within the Church.
The Vatican Observatory, as it exists today, was established in 1890, but the Church’s involvement in astronomy dates back much further. For instance, Pope Gregory XIII in the 16th century tasked Church astronomers, including Jesuit mathematician and astronomer Fr. Christopher Clavius, with reforming the calendar to fix the date of Easter. The Observatory was founded partly in response to the unification of Italy, which led to the loss of papal observatories. Throughout its history, the Church has consistently supported the study of astronomy, reflecting its commitment to exploring the natural world as a way of understanding God’s creation.
As a scientist and priest, how do you reflect on the Book of Genesis in the light of your understanding of the universe, and what message would you give to today’s youth?
The Book of Genesis is rich with theological insights about God’s creation of the universe and the relationship between humankind, God, and the world. The central message is that God created the world, and nothing within creation should be worshipped as a god. Science today supports the idea that the universe began with the Big Bang—a concept first proposed by Fr. Georges Lemaître, a Belgian Catholic priest. The Big Bang theory is deeply aligned with the belief that the universe had a beginning, which implies the existence of a Creator.
To the youth of today, I would offer two pieces of advice: First, dream big, as only by dreaming big can you achieve great things. Second, don’t settle for easy answers. Life’s most important questions require deep reflection and research. Make it your mission to seek the truth, question everything, and avoid settling for ready-made answers.
Fr. Richard’s mother, Mrs. Mary Dsouza, says only a few words about her son, but they contain a world of meaning about him: “Richie was so fascinated about the universe from his childhood. He is a very humble and fervent priest. At the time of his Ordination, we felt so elevated to heavenly joy. Our first son has gone to God and we wanted Richard to be with us, but he was very firm in his call to priesthood. Today we are happy that he does great things for the Church as a priest and for the world as a scientist.”
A dedicated member of the Daughters of Charity of St. Vincent de Paul, Sr. Soniya currently serves as a teacher in Kothagudem, Telangana. Her commitment to education and service reflects her deep dedication to her congregation and community. She can be contacted at: soniyadc88@gmail.com
Sr Soniya K Chacko DC
