Events

Dear friends, we have gathered here today this evening, to pray for the departed soul of Fr. Louis Philip who had been our brother, companion and a friend in the Lord. Fr. Louis had rendered valuable services in various capacities as the Principal, Correspondent and superior in Patrick’s campus and in other communities of our province. ‘Those who pursue till the end will be saved’ says the Holy Scripture. Fr. Philip had lived up to this gospel value till the very end of his life. He was born on 29 th May 1940 in Tamil Nadu, joined the Society of Jesus on 17 th may 1958, ordained in the year 19 th March 1972, and made his final vows on 3 rd December 1976. In fact, God had blessed him with a long life of 83 fruitful years and of which 65 years he lived as a Jesuit priest. In the Year 2022, he had celebrated the Golden jubilee of his priesthood. He breathed his last-on 4 th June 2023 on Holy Trinity Sunday in Dindigul, Beschi, Tamil Nadu.
The Society of Jesus had entrusted him various responsibilities to name a few: he was a vice- principal, principal, superior, correspondent, and student’s counsellor in various communities. He was also a headmaster in a diocesan school. He had an opportunity to serve as an associate paster in Carolina, USA. Thanks to St. Patrick’s school where he had rendered his valuable service for most of his career. ‘Those who sow more will reap more’ says the Holy Scripture. This is very much applicable in the life of Fr. Philip. The above responsibilities which he had held remind us that he was an Academician, educationist, an intellectual giant and an able administrator. As a person he gave himself fully to the pursuit of excellence by providing high standards of education in our schools where ever he had worked. He was very knowledgeable regarding the educational scenario of our country. He had always appointed teachers who are highly committed and efficient. Most of our old students remember him more particularly because he was a true disciplinarian but at the same time, very kind and gentle to them. This is one of the reasons why there used to be a heavy rush for admissions in St. Patrick’s.
The fruit of his hard work for all these years in the education apostolate is very much seen. It can be seen clearly in the lives of so many students who had passed out from St. Patrick’s school, and living abroad. Our illustrious alumni fondly remember him year after year on Nostalgia day only shows how much he is loved by them. Fr. Philip is also fondly remembered by the staff and students. He had great love for Patrick’s and would always dream of the development of the school in many respects. He had a great vision and insight on how to improve our institutions. No doubt he was a great visionary and a pioneer. One exceptional quality which I had noticed was his love for the poor. He used to help them and constantly enquire about their children’s studies and their future career. As we know towards end of his life, he had suffered a lot due to his ill- health. What made him to endure his suffering was his strong will power. So, as we have gathered here to pray for the repose of his soul, let us thank the lord for the gift of Fr. Philip to our mother Society and particularly to our province. His life had surely shown us how to serve the poor entrusted to our care through our various apostolates especially through education. ‘A true education is a weapon with which we can change the world’ said Dr. Nelson Mandela. May we also learn that the joys and sorrows are part and parcel of everyone’s life and we need to accept them as God’s will? Let us earnestly pray for God’s mercy upon him in this holy Eucharist. Eternal rest grant unto him O Lord and let perpetual light shine upon him. May his soul rest in peace!