A photo of the Assumption Church taken on a cloudy day . Transformed into an image on canvas with digitally-generated cotton representing the clouds based on actual photographs (courtesy image: Leonard Selva Gurunathan)
Nestled within the UNESCO World Heritage core zone of George Town, Penang, the Church of the Assumption stands as a testament to the island’s rich history and cultural tapestry.
Established in 1787, this historic Roman Catholic church has long been a spiritual and community cornerstone, seamlessly blending tradition with modernity.
Among its treasured heritage is its magnificent pipe organ, fondly known as ‘The Old Lady’ – a majestic instrument that has echoed through generations, accompanying countless masses, religious ceremonies, and musical celebrations, and holds the distinction of being Malaysia’s oldest pipe organ.
Recently, a passionate pipe organist and music enthusiast – Leonard Selva Gurunathan – embarked on an innovative project to trace and showcase the church’s musical roots.
Leveraging the power of artificial intelligence (AI) and a suite of cutting-edge tech tools with good old-fashioned research, he has crafted a compelling video narrative that highlights the journey of the pipe organ and its profound role in the life of the church.
The project began with meticulous research into the church’s history, archives, and the evolution of its musical traditions.
A digital image of the Assumption pipe organ transformed into a diorama setting by Leonard Selva Gurunathan
“ The visual part of the video was done with the use of AI, “said Leonard, “while the rest of it was based on old-school research methods which included going through newspaper archives as I typed the information I needed into the prompts,” he added.
The audio component of the video is based on a live recording put together by Leonard.
“I curated the story,” he notes, “based on the duration of the music.”
To visualize the church’s and pipe organ’s rich history, Leonard employed AI-powered video editing and animation software. These tools transformed static images and archival footage into dynamic visuals, illustrating the organ’s physical changes, restorations, and its integration into the church’s liturgical life over the years.
The entire production has served as a testament to how technology can serve as a bridge—connecting heritage, faith, and innovation.
The resulting video not only celebrates the Church of the Assumption’s storied past, but also highlights the enduring significance of its pipe organ as an instrument of worship and cultural identity.
It underscores how the organ has witnessed generations of worshippers and has become an integral part of the church’s spiritual and community life.
This project exemplifies how modern tools can be harnessed to preserve, interpret, and share heritage in compelling ways. It also emphasizes the importance of safeguarding such cultural treasures within UNESCO’s protected zones, ensuring that future generations continue to appreciate the rich tapestry of history, faith, and music.
As the Church of the Assumption continues to serve its community within the vibrant streets of George Town, its story—enhanced by AI, technology and old-school research methods – reminds us that tradition and innovation can go hand in hand.
By blending historical preservation with modern storytelling, Leonard’s creative endeavour invites us all to reflect on the enduring power of music, faith, and heritage in shaping our collective identity.
The Jubilee Concert at the Church of the Assumption (courtesy image – Boon Tiong)
Two Saturdays ago, the Church of the Assumption in Penang became a living instrument for a concert that stitched tradition, youth, and reverent sound into one unforgettable evening.
The church was welcoming, with the soft rustle of pews, as Saint Xavier’s Institution Corps of Pipes and Drums took the “stage”, their drums beating in confident, marching heartbeats and the pipes lifting like clear, silver voices. The opening procession felt less like a performance and more like a rite of passage—bold, bright, and glinting with pride.
The choir followed with a range soars-high and whispers-soft, a bright thread weaving through the nave. Their blend was lush yet precise, each phrase carried by a spine of harmony that filled every corner of the church. It’s a rare gift to hear a room feel both intimate and exultant at once, and that night, the choir’s voices did that subtle magic, lifting without ever shouting. Choir master Claude Richards’ baton moved with equal parts discipline and warmth, drawing clean lines and then dissolving them into shimmering colour, as if pulling rainbows through the arched ceiling.
Assumption Church Choir with His Eminence Sebastian Cardinal Francis, Bishop of Penang (courtesy image – Boon Tiong)
Between addresses and pieces, the “Old Lady”—the heritage church’s pipe organ—held court with patient majesty.
Resident organist Leonard Selva Gurunathan and neighbouring St George’s Church pipe organist, Matthew Arwinraj, took turns to coax “conversations” which began with a whispered echo and blossomed into grand, cathedral-scale statements.
Pedals clicked like distant thunder, and the tonal palette—great, flute, principal—poured through the nave with a timber that felt both ancient and newly-minted for the moment. If the pipes are the church’s memory, the Old Lady spoke it aloud: a history lesson told in luminous chords, each note lingering in the vaults long after it was spoken.
The ripple of the Corps of Pipes and Drums kept the energy alive even as the choir’s velvet harmonies settled the room into hushes of awe. When the final chord faded, the silence stretched, a shared breath between performers and listeners, before breaking into sustained applause that seemed to say, “Thank you for listening as deeply as you were listened to.”
Leaving the church, the night felt lighter, as if the walls themselves still hummed with the collaboration of youth, faith, and music. It was more than a concert; it was a celebration of community, tradition, and sound that lingers in the heart long after the bells have faded.
Choir master Claude Richards (extreme right, in white shirt) with his members and other concert performers (courtesy image – Boon Tiong)
Today, we gather with heavy hearts to celebrate the life of our beloved Aunty Rose. While her passing leaves an emptiness that words cannot fill, I know she would want us to remember her with smiles, laughter, and maybe even a little dancing — because that was who she was.
Aunty Rose was a woman who lived life fully and joyfully. She was jovial, lovable, kind, and generous — always ready to lend a helping hand, to listen, and to care. She had a way of making everyone around her feel special, valued, and loved. You could never walk away from a conversation with her without feeling a little lighter, a little happier.
And oh, how she loved to dance and sing. If music was playing — and sometimes even when it wasn’t — she would be up, moving to the rhythm, pulling others in to join her. She was not one to sit quietly and complain. No, she would say, “Why mope when you can dance it off?”
Her cheerfulness was contagious, her laughter filled every room she entered, and her advice — which she always had ready — was a mix of wisdom, love, and a little bit of playful sarcasm. She had a wonderful way of telling you what you needed to hear, whether you were ready to hear it or not — and somehow, you would still end up laughing about it.
Aunty Rose was also generous to a fault — not just with things, but with her time, her energy, and her love. She would give you her last piece of cake, though she might joke, “Maybe just half, let’s not be too dramatic.”
Today, as we say goodbye, let us remember the lessons she taught us without ever needing to speak them — to love deeply, to laugh often, to dance whenever you can, and to face life’s challenges with courage and a smile.
Though she may no longer be with us in person, her spirit — her laughter, her kindness, her songs — will live on in each of us. I like to think she’s somewhere now, already turning heaven into her dance floor, reminding the angels to sing a little louder.
Rest in peace, dear Aunty Rose. Thank you for the love, the laughter, and the unforgettable joy you brought into all our lives. You will never be forgotten.
As we take a step back to honour, arguably, the more important 50 per cent of our humankind, let us still ourselves to recognise two super centenarians, who may be forgotten to many in our faith community, but who still live a life of purpose in the twilight years of their lives.
Loh Siew In, baptismal name Cecilia, was born on 31st August 1920. Her parents were Benedict Loh and Genevieve Lee. She was the eighth child in a large family.
She realised a call to religious life at the age of 20 but owing to the outbreak of the Second World War, this was not realised until hostilities ceased.
She entered the novitiate of Petite Soeurs de Pauvres (Little Sisters of Poor), a congregation established by Sister Jeane Marie Jugan in 1839, to care for the many impoverished elderly living in the streets of Paris.
Loh took vows of chastity, poverty, obedience and hospitality and the name Sister Alexis de Ste Madeliene at the mother chapter house of Saint Pern in France. She speaks fluent French.
Pope Bendict XVI canonised Saint Jeane Jugan in October 2019.
Today the Little Sisters of the Poor continues its mission of providing care for the elderly, especially those who find themselves without family and cannot care for themselves. They look after thousands of elderly in over 30 countries around the globe including the United States, United Kingdom, France, Morocco, Taiwan, Hong Kong, India and the Philippines.
The Holy Family Home for the Elderly on Batu Lanchang Road in Penang, was built on land generously donated by philanthropist Aw Boon Par (Tiger Balm) and has provided sterling work for the sometimes forgotten elderly in the northern region, together with its sister home, in Cheras, Kuala Lumpur.
Both are charitable homes, entirely funded by public and corporate donations.
In her time, Sister Alexis served as a member of the congregation in the homes in New Zealand, Australia, Hong Kong and France and recalls with affection and pride her many adventures.
When she herself retired, Sister Alexis returned to Penang and now resides in the Holy Family Home for the Elderly in Penang, where she is its oldest resident.
Always dressed in the immaculate starched white habit , and sitting slightly bent over in her wheelchair, Sister Alexis still adheres to a daily personal routine and private prayer despite her years.
She has hearing issues, but has sufficient sight to appreciate when visitors call on her; she has good memory and is able to hold a conversation well.
Overall, she is blessed with good health including some scary times during the pandemic years of 2019 – 2022, when the entire home and community was in lockdown, owing to Covid cases among the residents and staff.
Sister Alexis’ birthday is always well celebrated as it falls on Merdeka Day, with a special Thanksgiving Mass in the chapel followed by a simple reception attended by the religious, priests, residents and of course her own family members.
She has a sister Lucy, who is three years younger, also staying at a residential home in Petaling Jaya, Selangor. Last year their family specially arranged for the two centenarian sisters to meet up in PJ to celebrate Lucy’s birthday. Her niece Dorothy organised for a special ambulance service to bring Sister Alexis from Penang to PJ, stay overnight in a service apartment and then return.
By God’s grace, everything went smoothly.
Her hospitality extends to all around her and she will readily intercede for you in her prayers.
Sister Alexis looks forward to her 105th birth anniversary this year 2025, the Jubilee Year of Hope.
May God Bless her.
Ends.
by Marina Emmanuel
Datin Seri Dr. Eleanor Eu: A Pioneer in Medicine
Datin Seri Dr. Eleanor Eu has made remarkable strides in the field of medicine, dedicating her life to healing and caring for others.
Her journey has been one of resilience, marked by her relentless pursuit of knowledge and her commitment to patient care.
“Prescriptions of Faith” is a book which chronicles the remarkable journeys of two distinguished doctors, (Eleanor and her late husband, Datuk Seri Dr. Peter Tan Ewe Aik) whose paths crossed amid the turmoil of war.
Set against the backdrop of Hong Kong and China during the late 1930s and early 1940s, this compelling tale begins in 1939 with Eleanor, a young woman from Kuala Lumpur, who embarks on a voyage from Malaysia to the esteemed University of Hong Kong in pursuit of her medical degree.
Two years later, her future husband, Peter arrives from Penang at the same university, mere months before the outbreak of World War II in Asia.
Unbeknownst to each other, both Eleanor and Peter found the escalating tensions of a war-torn Hong Kong unbearable.
In August 1942, Eleanor made the brave decision to escape to Free China, while Peter followed suit two years later. After the war, fate led them back to Hong Kong to complete their medical studies where their journeys had begun.
It was also here, through a twist of serendipity, that their paths finally converged.
The book delves into their challenges and triumphs, detailing their courageous flight from Hong Kong in search of safety and their eventual return to the place where their dreams of becoming doctors first took root.
In addition to their academic pursuits, “Prescriptions of Faith” also shares the heartwarming story of Peter and Eleanor’s family life and their return to Malaya after marriage, weaving together themes of resilience, love, and the enduring spirit of hope.
“I look back at Mum’s life and career and how she (and many others like Sister Alexis) went through so much, so long ago when “equality” was not even on the table for discussion,” says her son, Dr Francis Tan.
“Yet, they worked with love and dedication in their chosen vocations, and no man could ever have filled their shoes.”
“Mum’s early professional life,” he adds, “was with the Colonial Medical Service of Malaya (pre-Merdeka). I believe that as a woman, she missed out on opportunities including being placed onto a government pension scheme even after independence, for the bureaucracy and the regulations at the time were as daunting as they are today.”
“Mum worked from 1951, ran a household and also raised three children, was at Dad’s side in countless things and only decided to “retire” for a new role in 1984 when her first grand-daughter Claire was born. And that was forty years ago!”
As she turns 104 today, Dr. Eleanor continues to inspire others through her dedication to healthcare and her unwavering belief in the importance of community. Her legacy is not only in the lives she has healed but also in the countless young medical professionals she has mentored, encouraging them to follow their passion with integrity and compassion.
Today, we celebrate both Sister Alexis Oh and Datin Seri Dr. Eleanor Eu—not just for their age, but for the lives they have transformed through their unwavering commitment to love and service. Their stories remind us that the impact of one individual can ripple through generations, creating a legacy of hope, friendship, and community spirit.
As we honour these remarkable women today, let us draw inspiration from their lives.
May we embrace the values they have exemplified—compassion, resilience, and dedication to serving others. In doing so, we can contribute to a world that celebrates the unique gifts each person brings, fostering love and understanding in our families, friendships, and communities.
Happy International Women’s Day!
(courtesy images from the families of Sister Alexis Loh and Datin Seri Dr. Eleanor Eu)
As Mount Miriam Cancer Hospital in Penang marks its 49th anniversary, it stands as a beacon of hope and healing for cancer patients both local and from abroad.
Founded in 1976, this non-profit hospital has dedicated itself to providing comprehensive cancer care, driven by a mission to treat not just the disease but the person behind it.
Mount Miriam Cancer Hospital was born out of a vision to create a supportive environment for cancer patients.
The hospital shares the global mission of the Franciscan Missionaries of Divine Motherhood order, to provide high quality and compassionate care to all
Over the decades, it has evolved from a small establishment into a renowned cancer treatment center. The hospital’s commitment to holistic care is reflected in its multidisciplinary approach, integrating medical treatment with psychological support and palliative care.
The hospital’s ethos is rooted in compassion, with a team of dedicated healthcare professionals who go above and beyond to ensure that patients receive personalized care. From oncologists and nurses to counselors and nutritionists, every member of the staff is committed to making the cancer journey as comfortable and supportive as possible.
His Eminence Sebastian Cardinal Francis presided over a mass today at the hospital’s chapel
One of the hallmarks of Mount Miriam Cancer Hospital is its ability to cater to a diverse patient population. The hospital serves not only the local community in Penang but also welcomes international patients seeking cutting-edge cancer treatments.
As Mount Miriam Cancer Hospital steps towards half a century, it continues to embrace innovation in cancer treatment. The hospital regularly updates its protocols and technologies to include the latest advancements in oncology.
The hospital’s chief executive officer Deacon Paul Kang
The landmark anniversary celebration this year, is not merely a reflection of the hospital’s achievements but also a reminder of its commitment to the community. Mount Miriam actively engages with local organizations and volunteers to raise awareness about cancer and provide support to those affected by the disease. Fundraising events, support groups, and educational seminars are just a few of the initiatives that foster a sense of community and support for patients and their families.
In a world where the fight against cancer can often feel daunting, Mount Miriam Cancer Hospital stands as a testament to the power of compassion, community, and care.
Here’s to 49 years of making a difference and to many more years of hope and healing!
As we reflect on our journey together, we are filled with gratitude for the incredible gift of music that Maureen has shared with us over the years. Her dedication as our choir mistress before, not only enriched our liturgical experiences at masses, ordinations, both priestly (or sacerdotal) and diaconal, but also fostered a sense of community and joy among us.
We will always remember her signature phrase, “Jazz it up, Leonard!”— to our pipe organ sifu, which served as a joyful reminder to embrace creativity and spontaneity. Her ability to uplift our spirits and encourage us to strive for excellence was memorable.
Maureen was a warm soul with her infectious smile, laughter and welcoming spirit which brightened the lives of all who knew her. She had a remarkable ability to make everyone feel seen and valued, offering words of encouragement and support to those in need.
A true adventurer at heart, Maureen lived her life with a sense of wonder and curiosity. Whether exploring new places, trying new things or food, or simply enjoying the beauty of everyday moments, she embraced life with open arms and an open heart.
Vale, dear Maureen. You have earned your rest, and your spirit will live on in our parish of the Church of the Immaculate Conception, Penang.
Thank you for everything.
P.S from the Facebook post of my friend Simon …
4th February is World Cancer Day. As the world unites in the fight against cancer, I invite you to open your hearts to those in need. At Mount Miriam Cancer Hospital, we believe that no one should be denied treatment due to financial constraints. Last year, with the generosity of donors like you, we disbursed over RM3 million to support cancer patients who were struggling to afford life-saving treatments. This year, we humbly seek your kindness once again. Your donation, big or small, makes a real difference in bringing hope, healing and dignity to our patients. Together, we can ease the burden of cancer and bring light into the lives of those fighting this battle.
To contribute, please make your donation to: Bank Name: OCBC Bank (Malaysia) Berhad Account Name: Mount Miriam Cancer Hospital TKPKMM Account Number: 7301297883 Every contribution is a lifeline. Thank you for your generosity and compassionate heart!
As the holiday season approaches, we often find ourselves caught up in the hustle and bustle of shopping, parties, and decorations. However, a powerful new video reminds us of the essence of Christmas—a journey filled with hope, love, and a commitment to uplifting the marginalized.
This heartwarming video takes viewers on a journey through various communities, showcasing the struggles faced by those often overlooked during this festive season.
It beautifully captures the spirit of compassion that lies at the heart of Christmas.
This Christmas, let’s embrace the call to action presented in the video. We can all play a role in spreading hope and joy, whether through volunteering, donating, or simply showing kindness to those we encounter.
As we celebrate, let’s carry forward the message that the spirit of Christmas shines brightest when we look out for one another, especially those on the margins of society.
Join Caritas Malaysia in this journey of hope and rediscover the true meaning of Christmas.
From the Manger to the Margins – A Christmas Journey of Hope by Caritas Malaysia
Kim, a vibrant and colourful soul whose love for fabric and textiles was matched by her passion for travel and devotion to music, has left us after an illness.
Kim at one of her favourite travel destinations (Bali) this year (photo by Tess tweaked by Boon Tiong)
Her creative spirit shone brightly through her work with textiles which saw the production of a book.
The book authored by Kim
An avid traveler, Kim, embarked on countless adventures, exploring new cultures and gathering inspiration for her work, as she set up homes with her late husband Michael Saunders, in various Asian cities. She cherished every journey, finding joy in discovering new places, meeting new friends, and experiencing the beauty of the world.
Her devotion and love for dogs is legendary and she will be remembered for always being the first to lend a hand and donation to those in need.
Kim’s love for music, particularly choral singing, enriched her life and the lives of those around her.
Whether performing in local choirs or sharing her love of music for God in church, her voice resonated always with passion and joy. She found solace and connection through song and hymns, and her spirit will undoubtedly echo in the hearts of those who sang alongside her.
Kim sang in the Church of the Immaculate Conception, Penang’s choir
Now, Kim is reunited with her beloved Michael, and together they continue their journey in the beyond. May their love inspire us to embrace our passions and cherish every moment.
Rest in peace, Kim. Your legacy of love, service and inspiration will be etched in all our hearts.
As the sun rises over the Church of the Immaculate Conception in Pulau Tikus, Penang today, the warm glow and blue skies will illuminate a gathering of clergy, parishioners, friends, and family—all there to celebrate a milestone : the 25th sacerdotal anniversary of Rev Monsignor Jude Miranda, (Father Jude) our parish priest.
For a quarter of a century, Father Jude has been a guiding light in all the communities he has served in the Penang Diocese – a man whose love for God, people, and the simple pleasures of life has impacted us all in profound ways.
Always armed with a friendly smile and a twinkle in his eye, he quickly warms up to those who seek his counsel.
Known for his humour, warmth, and down-to-earth nature, he has a gift for making everyone feel welcome, whether it’s during Sunday mass, a casual (or serious) chat in his office, or when visiting the home-bound.
Not many know that he is a “bread and butter” man, and relishes savouring diferent types of bread offered.
Father Jude’s interests are not limited to the altar and the bread basket alone.
He often reminisces about his youthful days spent watching *California Highway Patrol* (CHiPs), reliving the thrilling escapades of Ponch and Jon.
He appreciates the show’s blend of action, camaraderie, and moral lessons—always emphasizing the importance of integrity and service.
Our parish’s proximity to the College General seminary has blessed us with the regular presence of its rector Rev Father Simon Labrooy (who also assists in our parish) and his seminarians.
Father Simon and Father Jude
The young men who are aspiring to follow in the steps of Fathers Jude and Simon, are equally blessed to have the two padres for their lecturers and mentors as they set out to be devoted servants of God.
As we gather today to honour his 25 years of service, we as parishioners thank Father Jude for his unwavering support. From blessing new families to comforting the sick, elderly, specially-abled and those grieving. In their hardest times, his dedication has known no bounds.
Parishioners have recounted how Father Jude has helped them through life’s ebbs and flows, always reminding them that they are never alone and that “God loves you so much.”
As we join him for mass today, we honour Father Jude not just as our parish priest, but as a friend and mentor. Here’s to 25 years filled with love, laughter, music and the spirit of service.
May he continue to inspire, guide, and entertain us for many more years to come, and may he always find time to enjoy reruns of *California Highway Patrol*—because life, much like his favourite show, is an adventure worth savouring!
Happy 25th priestly anniversary, Monsignor Jude! Here’s to more bread, butter, and blessings to come.
On her 117th birthday on Sept 3, 2016, Google honoured Malaysian freedom fighter Sybil Medan Kathigasu with a dedicated doodle.
A doodle by Google to honour Sybil Medan Kathigasu
She is shown in her nurse’s uniform outside her former residence in Papan, Perak.
The patterned ribbon of the George Medal surrounds the doodle, a tribute to Kathigasu’s courageous contributions to the anti-occupation movement.
“On the 117th anniversary of Kathigasu’s birth,” Google said, “we remember and celebrate her tireless dedication to freedom.
“Thank you, Kathigasu, for your courage and the powerful legacy you’ve left behind.”
While we know that Sybil Kathigasu’s “war story” speaks of how her acts of courage during World War II had devastating consequences, not much is said of what her family had gone through.
History tells us she was married to Dr Abdon Clement Kathigasu at St John’s Cathedral in Kuala Lumpur and they had three children, a son (William whom they had adopted) and two daughters, Dawn and Olga.
After her parents had been arrested for resistance activities in 1943, Dawn was suspended over a fire and threatened with death unless her mother Sybil, who had already been tortured in vain, gave information about the guerillas.
The six year old, enduring her pain, implored her mother not to talk and was saved only by the intervention of a senior Japanese officer.
She later went to Britain to study medicine and is believed to have married and settled there.
A heart warming memory of Olga is relayed here by Deacon Dr Leslie Petrus.
Rev Deacon Dr Leslie Petrus (image from the Malacca Johore Diocese website)
“I first met Sybil’s eldest daughter Olga in 1971 when she moved into the house next to Matron Irene Stephens,” he recalls.
Stephens, Dr Petrus noted, was the matron-in-charge of women prisoners in Batu Gajah prison under the Japanese Government and Sybil was under her supervision.
“Matron Stephens, our close family friend, had retired from the Prisons Department in the mid- 60’s,” he added.
The deacon recalls Olga as “the lady in black.”
“She always wore a black dress with black shoes and a black veil and carried a black bag.
“She kept to herself and never talked to anyone or even smiled. I did not understand then, her unique character but I do now.”
His up close and personal experience with Olga was in 1972 when Queen Elizabeth, Prince Philip, and Princess Anne were on a royal visit to Malaysia and made a stopover at Penang.
“My mother,” he remembers,” decided to go and invited Matron Stephens and Olga to follow us.
“In a cramped Opel Record car, we were in Penang the whole day, and stood for few hours at Dewan Sri Pinang just to see them at the balcony.
“As we waved our handkerchiefs, she had a Union Jack flag, and wore a hat with the flag on it. I can still remember the first and only smile on her face. I sensed then she was proud of her mother as she carried the picture of her mum with the medal of George V for highest bravery. “
Later, that day, Dr Petruse said, Olga had wanted to see the Royal Brittania and he had to follow her into a small sampan boat, at the fishermen’s jetty, where Olga paid a premium price to a local fisherman for the ride.
“I could see her looking so intently and so connected. Even now, I can still remember how she never took her eyes off the ship, probably feeling grateful that her mother and her father were special people.
“As I recall that one day trip to Penang with her, (I was 13 years old then), I then knew why she always wore black.
“She had lost her father early 1972. With all that she had experienced since her childhood, she had kept the faith.
That day trip to Penang with Olga was described as a “blessing” by Dr Petruse.
“She was in deep pain and sadness. But she never showed it. Her silence each time I saw her spoke volumes of God’s grace and love.”
In her memoir `No Dram of Mercy’, Kathigasu or Mrs K as she was affectionately known to the people of Ipoh and Papan, Perak before and during World War II, tells a story of courage, compassion, defiance and faith.
As she offers a harrowing firsthand account of the Japanese occupation of Malaya during the war, she takes her readers into the chaos of the invasion and how her peaceful life as a nurse, wife, mother and daughter was disrupted.
This was a form of disruption which appeared to transcend just mere inconvenience; it becomes a brutal struggle for survival under oppressive Japanese rule.
As a nurse and a staunch supporter of the Malayan resistance against Japanese occupation, Kathigasu’s life is a powerful narrative of sacrifice, courage, and commitment to humanitarian principles.
The push for her beatification within the Catholic Church highlights her exemplary virtues and profound moral integrity, confirming her legacy as a beacon of hope in times of darkness.
“Her faith in God as a Catholic and a disciple of Christ is the primary orientation the Diocese of Penang is pursuing,” its bishop Cardinal Sebastian Francis said in an interview.
Cardinal Sebastian Francis with Sybil Kathigasu’s memoir ‘No Dram of Mercy’ (picture by Boon Tiong)
“Our focus is on her perseverance and fidelity to her profession as a nurse to the Florence Nightingale Pledge,” he added.
The pledge which is named in honour of the founder of modern nursing – Florence Nightingale – states:
“I solemnly pledge myself before God, and in the presence of this assembly, to pass my life in purity and to practise my profession faithfully.”
Cardinal Sebastian also said that the diocese will focus on Kathigasu’s courage and valour, to undergo persecution and suffering in her career as a nurse, and being honoured with the George Medal for bravery in 1947.
(She is the only Malayan woman ever to be awarded the George Medal. The George Medal (GM), instituted on 24 September 1940 by King George VI, is a decoration of the United Kingdom and Commonwealth, awarded for gallantry, typically by civilians, or in circumstances where military honours are not appropriate.)
Kathigasu died in 1948 and was buried at the cemetery in the Church of St. Michael in Ipoh, Perak.
Sybil Kathigasu’s final resting place in the grounds of St Michael’s Church, Ipoh (picture by Daniel Roy Santiyagu)
The Cardinal is also appealing to those with any information, photographs or any research on Sybil to forward these to Daniel Roy Santiyagu who is the head for social communication for the Diocese of Penang at: socialcomm@pgdiocese.org
Born in 1910 in Ipoh, Perak, Sybil Kathigasu was a trained nurse who, along with her husband, played a crucial role in providing medical care to resistance fighters during the Japanese occupation of Malaya from 1942 to 1945. Kathigasu’s work with the underground organization, known as the “Malayan People’s Anti-Japanese Army,” exemplified her courage as she operated in tremendous danger, often risking her life and those of her family for the greater good.
During the war, she not only offered essential medical assistance but also acted as a source of intelligence. Her contributions were instrumental in the efforts to undermine the occupying forces. Her actions reflect a selfless devotion to her fellow countrymen and a passionate commitment to justice, making her a symbol of resistance against tyranny.
The Diocese of Penang has officially opened the cause of beatification and canonization for Kathigasu, whom Sebastian said continues to inspire people even 76 years after her death.
“I see this as an opportunity to bring together and reflect on her life for us as people of faith,” said the cardinal.
While she was born in Medan, Indonesia, the story of this daughter of Malaysia unfolds in cities and towns in Perak like Papan (where she and her husband Dr Abdon Clement ran a clinic), Batu Gajah (where she was incarcerated) and the her final resting place, which is the cemetery in the grounds of St Michael’s Church in Ipoh.
“Groups are already visiting these places,” notes the cardinal, “including the Church of St Joseph in Batu Gajah, where one of its wings is dedicated to Sybil’s memory.”
Upon her release from prison, Kathigasu’s request was to be taken to St Joseph’s Church immediately to offer her thanksgiving.
Asked on what could be a potentially high cost to pursue her beatification, the cardinal said:
“We will cross that bridge when we get there. We do not start by talking about money.”
In questioning the choice of Kathigasu by some parties for impending sainthood, Cardinal Sebastian said the process itself, with its appointed moderator will question this and other concerns.
“It is normal to expect people to question her suitability (for beatification),” he added.
Cardinal Sebastian Francis, Bishop of Penang (picture by Boon Tiong)
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