On 1st March 2025, a 135-year memorial mass was celebrated at the historical Our Lady of the Holy Rosary, Chapel in Pulau Jerejak, Penang. Established in 1890, the Chapel has long been an oasis of faith, hope, charity and love for a community grappling with sickness and ostracization. Founded by Rev. Fr. Emile Joseph Mariette (MEP) on land adjoining the Leprosy Hospital, it earned the name “Leper Asylum Church”. The Chapel was consecrated on 4th January 1896, serving as a sanctuary of spiritual solace and support for patients suffering from leprosy, tuberculosis, and those quarantined for contagious diseases.
His Eminence Cardinal Sebastian Francis, Bishop of Penang celebrated the mass with concelebrants Rev. Fr. Michael Raymond OFM Cap. from the Church of Divine Mercy, Sungai Ara; Rev. Fr. Joachim Robert of College General Penang; and Rev. Fr. Desmond Jansen of the Church of Our Lady of Sorrows, Georgetown. They were joined by members of the Penang Diocese Catholic Heritage Conservation Committee. The mass was to honor the Chapel’s enduring legacy, to give blessings and offer prayers for the patients who lived and died on the island.
Cardinal Sebastian’s homily reflected on the trials and suffering endured by those afflicted with diseases on the island. These individuals shared a common thread of hopelessness, despair and fear as they struggle with their painful and isolating circumstances. All walked into the Chapel with faith, finding hope and love through the missionary fathers and people of God. The community of faithful people continued to grow, providing strength and support to each other. Cardinal Sebastian bestowed his blessings upon the island, the Chapel and all the souls buried in their resting place.
In 1932, a Chinese catechist was stationed on the island to care for the 80 Catholic patients under the supervision of the Vicarage of the Church of Our Lady of Sorrows, George Town, Penang.
In the 1950’s Rev. Fr. Louis M. V. Riboud (MEP), the parish priest of the Church of St. Francis Xavier, Georgetown, sent the catechist Casimir Pillay to visit the Jerejak Quarantine Station, scouting for newly arrived Roman Catholic immigrants, collecting their names and final destinations. This information was passed to Fr. Riboud, who duly informed all corresponding parishes throughout Malaya and the Straits Settlements of the impending arrival of their new parishioners.
In the 1960’s, Rev. Fr. Arthur A. Julien, along with the Grey Sisters and seminarians from College General Penang, made pastoral visits to the island. Among the seminarians, we have Rev. Fr. Francis Anthony, now 85, former Rector of College General Penang, who recalls accompanying the Grey Sisters as they provided healthcare for the leprosy patients. Fr. Francis says the patients were so happy to meet and talk with them, yet sadly, many of them knew it is a one-way ticket. Fr. Francis says that as a seminarian the patients were their formators to the priesthood as he learnt how to care and comfort the sick. They were aware that they will die on the island. In the early 1970’s another seminarian, Brother Francis Xavier Gasper, age 77, a Gabrielite Brother and one of the founders of Montfort Sabah, recalls how he volunteered to join the Grey Sisters on their mission, to offer a listening ear, provide solace, hope and a comforting presence. The patients showed contentment and resigned to their fate.
Fr. Michael Raymond shared that the memorial mass gave him a deep connection to the founder of his Capuchin Order, St. Francis of Assisi, who sought refuge in an abandoned church and received the call from the Lord: “Rebuild the Church” which is to rebuild the inner life of the Church, to journey towards full conformity with Christ. Fr. Joachim Roberts expressed that the resilience and steadfast faith of the Catholics in Pulau Jerejak serve as a powerful inspiration and symbol of hope to present-day Catholics and their experiences remind us, we are not alone in our struggles. Fr. Desmond Jansen shared that the legacy of the early missionaries has brought light and hope to those facing their darkest times and that we are forever grateful to the early missionaries, cherish their memories and hopeful this chapel will be a pilgrimage of Hope.
Cardinal Sebastian invited everyone present, to share their personal faith journeys following the 135-year memorial mass. Each attendee offered their unique reflections while Maryann Robert genuflected an emotive reflection, expressing joy and gratitude and a profound blessing to be at the Chapel of Our Lady of the Holy Rosary. Maryann shared her conviction that the Holy Spirit was at work in this once rejected and secluded community, through the missionary disciples who showed their fervent passion and mission to love like Jesus.
We also remember the Grey Sisters of the Institute of Foreign Mission Sisters, whose mother house is at Notre Dame de la Motte, Seysses, France. They devotedly pastored to the sick on Pulau Jerejak. Their charism is to share the life of the non-evangelised people and the most underprivileged, of those who are very far from Christ and the Church and to announce them the Good News of Salvation. Their dedication exemplifies their mission to share love and hope with those in need.
In October 1969 the transfer of the leprosy patients to Sg. Buloh Leprosarium, Selangor began. By the early 1970’s, the association of Pulau Jerejak with leprosy had come to an end. Special thanks and acknowledgement is given to Mike Gibby the author of the book, Jerejak – Penang’s Untold story.
By Christopher Kushi
