C. M. Paul
Siliguri, March 19, 2025: Salesian Father Peter Lourdes, the first Indian-born principal of Salesian College, Sonada, celebrated his 100th birthday at Salesian Provincial House, Kolkata, on March 19.
Born on March 19, 1926, Father Lourdes served as the ninth principal of Sonada college for three years from 1967. The institution was established in 1938, which had Salesian residential students from Commonwealth Countries until the late 1960s.
A COVID-19 survivor, Father Lourdes has completed 82 years as a Salesian and a priest for 72 years.
He was a student in the first batch of Don Bosco School, Liluah, Kolkata, in 1937. He later joined Salesian College Sonada in 1941 as a ninth grader.
Father Lourdes scored 0% in Mathematics while securing a first division in Latin during his Calcutta University Matriculation examinations. However, through self-study, he reappeared for the exams and passed with a first division.
Father Lourdes advises students to “attend classes and keep your notes handy.”
His academic achievements include a Bachelor’s degree from Salesian College Sonada, a Master’s in Clinical Psychology from Salesian University Rome, and a doctorate in Clinical Psychology from De Paul University Chicago, USA.
As a renowned clinical psychology counsellor, Father Lourdes has conducted extensive workshops and psycho-spiritual retreats. He has authored four books, including “The Human Face of Clergy” (1989), “The Hem of His Garment” (1996), “Wow Jesus” (2014), and “The Clash” (2016).
The centenarian priest, who made his religious profession on December 6, 1944, and was ordained on December 5, 1954, continues to inspire with his resilience. He beat COVID-19 at 94 and hoisted the Tricolour on Independence Day 2020 before leaving Fortis Hospital Kolkata.