On June 2, 2025, Cardinal Sebastian Francis, Bishop of Penang, officially approved the establishment of the ‘Flame of Love of the Immaculate Heart of Mary’ movement during a presentation meeting at the Minor Basilica of St. Anne, Bukit Mertajam, Penang. With this approval, the Diocese of Penang becomes the first in Malaysia to recognize this international Marian movement, which is currently active in over 50 countries.
The Flame of Love movement began in Hungary, in response to messages given by Jesus and Mary to Elizabeth Kindelmann, a Third Order Carmelite. Elizabeth’s Spiritual Diary was later published as “The Flame of Love of the Immaculate Heart of Mary”, which includes the Unity Prayer revealed by Jesus and one petition to be added to the Hail Mary: “Spread the effects of grace of thy Flame of Love over all of humanity”.
The Flame of Love aim to help individuals consecrate themselves to Jesus through Mary, fostering a life of prayer, fasting, attending Mass regularly beyond the weekend masses, and going for regular confession and Adoration, encourage families to pray together, pray for world peace, pray for clergy and religious vocations, and for the holy souls in purgatory. They also do home visits with the pilgrim statue of Our Blessed Lady.
Cardinal Sebastian requested Flame of Love members present to share their testimonies on their faith in the rosary of the Flame of Love.
Member Anna Tan now feels more rooted in prayer and finds the Flame of Love Rosary to be a meaningful form of meditation and consistent prayer life which deepens her relationship with God. Elizabeth Lim’s personal experience of a closer bonding of the parish community as we pray together with one heart and with the same intentions. The words and teachings of this Flame of Love Rosary is also very meaningful. Winnie Gracia shared her profound testimony of seeing the Blessed Virgin Mary in a dream, smiling at her with a rosary surrounded by fresh roses going round and round behind her head and when praying the rosary often smells roses and jasmine despite not having these flowers nearby. Elizabeth Raymond says she loves and trust Mother Mary at all times and is fasting every Monday and Friday for this awesome movement of blinding satan and to spread the movement not only in Penang but all over the world!
Ester Ooi says it is so meaningful, and she is touched to recite the Hail Mary with the added: ‘Spread the effect of grace of thy flame of love over all of humanity’ after the ‘pray for us sinners’. Cecilia Lee after attending the devotion to the Flame of Love, said there are no more short cuts and recites the rosary with the meditation to the mysteries in full. Coming from a devout Hakka family, she was so ecstatic that Cardinal requested her to recite the Hail Mary in the Hakka dialect which brough joyful memories of her mother bringing her to church in Changloon, Kedah after dinner to recite the rosary with the Hakka community. Indiana Ann Oh encapsulated the testimonies by emphasizing the profound significance of the Flame of Love rosary, urging everyone to pray for all of humanity in these challenging times.
After listening to the heartfelt testimonies of all 13 members present, Cardinal Sebastian remarked, “As the English saying goes, ‘He who bake’s the cake eats it,’ “implying that those who have nurtured the movement are now ready to witness its blessings. Cardinal Sebastian emphasized that he, along with Deacon Lazarus Jonathan and the People of God of the Penang Diocese, will now give their full support and uplift the Flame of Love Movement. Members were overwhelmed with joy and gratitude.
Expressing her appreciation, Sr. Mercie Lai, a member of the Franciscan Missionaries of the Divine Motherhood (FMDM) said, “As we read the signs of time, it is alarming to see humanity under constant attack, families in crisis and so much suffering. The Flame of Love Movement is timely, providing us with assurance and to believe Jesus is the door of Hope and together with the Immaculate Heart of Mary, who invites us to join Her in spreading the Flame of Love and praying for humanity. Since March 2025, under the spiritual guidance of Sr. Mercie, members of the Flame of Love Movement have been gathering weekly at the Minor Basilica of St. Anne to pray and meditate.
Vanitha Nadaraj, the national leader in Malaysia, also extended her thanks: “With this approval, we pray that our Blessed Mother’s mission will spread across this nation. Together with her intercession, we will extinguish the fire of hatred with the fire of love. We must allow her to guide us all to the Flame of Love, who is JESUS HIMSELF”.
In 2013, Pope Francis gave his Apostolic Blessings to the ‘Flame of Love of the Immaculate Heart of Mary’ and in 2023, the Archdiocese of Singapore accepted the Flame of Love as a ministry.
By Christopher Kushi
