Fr. Lourdes boasts an illustrious career spanning over 50 years, with advanced degrees including a D. Psych in Clinical Psychology from Salesian University, Rome, a Masters in Somatic Psychology from California Institute of Integral Studies, San Francisco, and a PhD in Counselling Psychology from Loyola University, Chicago. A Salesian College alumnus, Mr. Devasia, said, “His classes on psychology were the most sought after and fruitful,” reflecting the impact of his tenure as Programme Director and Head of the Psychology Department at National Vocation Service Centre, Pune, and as the inaugural President of the Salesian Psychological Association. Currently, he maintains a psychotherapy practice in Kolkata.

His academic and literary contributions include popular books like The Human Face of Clergy (1997), Wow Jesus! (2014) and The Clash (2016) explore the intersection of Transcendental Meditation and counseling psychology. A certified massage therapist from the San Francisco School of Massage Therapy, Fr. Lourdes also brought a unique somatic perspective to his work.

Born in 1925, Fr. Lourdes was among the first students at Don Bosco School, Liluah, in 1937, later returning as a brother and rector. Fr. Sanjay Manohar Kujur, Rector of Don Bosco Liluah, noted, “Rev. Fr. Peter Vincent Lourdes was the 1st amongst the students to be admitted at DBL in 1937, when it opened the gates. Roll No:28. He later returned as a Brother Assistant, Dean of Studies and Principal of DBL.” He served as principal of Salesian College Sonada from 1967 to 1970 and was a visiting faculty member at Sadhana Institute, Lonavla, and Sumedha Centre from 2003 to 2014. His 60th ordination anniversary and 70th religious profession anniversary were celebrated in 2014.

Fr Joe Mannath SDB, on the occasion of the birthday of Father Lourdes, writes, “He is a human being whom I admire deeply. I say “human being,” because I see that as his main and strongest identity. I have never seen him play narrow identity games based on place or mother tongue or caste or rite or religious order or whatever. I used to go to Fr Peter for spiritual direction and counselling when I was doing theology in Jnana Deepa, Pune, and he was the Director of the National Vocation Service Centre. I remember the high esteem the NVSC staff and participants had for him. I felt both understood and challenged by him. He lived in the SVD House near NVSC. He could make himself comfortable with any group. A trait that can be called his distinguishing mark is creativity. What a creative thinker Fr Peter has been! I remember the time he was planning an exhibition. I think the theme was vocation. But, instead of the usual cliches we are used to hearing, Fr Peter planned an unusually creative show. From amoeba to human beings, from being human to becoming another Christ. I had never seen anyone conceptualizing a vocation exhibition this way.”

“Fr Peter has a subtle and intelligent sense of humour; openness to people of all backgrounds; openness to new ideas and ways of doing things; the ability to do creative research in psychology; an inner stillness developed through regular meditation; readiness to adjust to changing situations; willingness to listen to different points of view without condemning any. Thank you, God, for giving us such an inspiring and challenging model to emulate! Thank you, dear Fr Peter, for your warm friendship, wise guidance and inspiring example,” wrote Fr Mannath.