On 20th February 2026, His Eminence Cardinal Sebastian Francis, Bishop of Penang celebrated Mass at the Chapel of St. Francis of Assisi, Mount Miriam Cancer Hospital, Penang and attended the launch of the Golden Jubilee Celebrations with the theme “Celebrating 50 years of Love, Compassion and Care”. Concelebrating the Mass were Rev. Fr. Michael Raymond OFM Cap., Rev. Fr. Edmund Woon, Rev. Fr Raymond Raj and Rev. Deacon Andrew Loh.
Cardinal Sebastian in the homily invited all present to relive, collectively and individually, every year of Mount Miriam’s journey – with its joys and sorrows, twist and turns. Let us Bless all the 50 years of service. Cardinal urged the faithful to surrender the 50 years to the Trinitarian God, to wait upon the Holy Spirit and to plan with the Holy Spirit for the future direction of the Hospital. With Mother Mary watching over this ‘Hospital on a little Hill’, he reminded all that Mount Miriam is a place of healing, of preparing for death and of hope in eternal life. “We Live, We Bless and We Surrender, Amen!
Mount Miriam Cancer Hospital, a not-for-profit Catholic hospital was officially inaugurated on 21st February 1976 by Rt. Rev. Gregory Yong, Bishop of Penang. Its Golden Jubilee is not merely a commemoration of the hospital’s founding; it is a heartfelt tribute to a visionary mission in providing affordable cancer treatment and the enduring mission of serving all people, regardless of nationality, race, belief or income level. Guided by the principle “Serving with Love in Cancer Care - No One shall Die Alone”, this motto has touched countless cancer patient lives. Cancer Care is not only about treatment but journeying together with patients and their loved ones.
Mount Miriam honours the past 50 years with blessings and profound gratitude for our visionaries especially Rt. Rev. Francis Chan, the first Bishop of Penang, whose own journey through terminal cancer inspired the mission and laid the foundation for the Franciscan Missionaries of the Divine Motherhood (FMDM) Sisters, inspired by the Gospel Visions of St. Francis and St. Clare of Assisi, with their motherhouse at Ladywell Convent, Surrey, England, who courageously embraced this mission of bringing God’s healing presence, and compassionate care to the sick. Blessings and gratitude to the Grey Sisters (France) who nurtured this dream, College General Penang, the MEP Fathers, the late Datuk Dr. Peter Tan Yew Aik and family, the late Dato’ Dr. Adel Zaatar and the many lay visionaries who helped sustain this mission.
Deputy Chair of the Board of Directors, Ms Rita Chiam, reflecting with gratitude to the past and looking forward with fidelity, reaffirmed Mount Miriam’s commitment to remain faithful to its Catholic mission and to stand as a living witness and beacon of the Hope of Christ’s healing love for the sick. Calling upon God’s blessings and guidance upon the Canonical Stewards of Catholic Health Care to uphold and guide this mission, ensuring continuity, growth and sustainability. Mount Miriam faces real challenges today, such as shortages of oncologists and nurses, rising operational costs and the need for sustainability. Strategies include the Oncology-Palliative Hospice (O-PH) program where the oncology (the O) fuels the revenue to support palliative hospice (the PH) and together with the Endowment Fund and leveraging tax-exempt status, these efforts aim to sustain and secure Mount Miriam’s future while being faithful to its Catholic mission. Rita concluded with words of Scripture “Galatians 6:9 – Let us not grow tired of doing good, for in due time we shall reap our harvest, if we do not give up.”
“Peace and All Good to you All!” as St. Francis of Assisi would greet people, began Sr. Angelin Gnanapiragasam, speaking on behalf of the FMDM Sisters. Thank you all for believing in the mission of Mount Miriam, founded on the shoulders of the seven pioneer FMDM Sisters: Sr. Baptista Hennessy, Sr. Raphael Mc Dowell, Sr. Assunta Low, Sr. Cyrilla Baptist, Sr. Jean Marie Andrew, Sr. Jennifer Chan and Sr. Casilda. The mission in the spirit of Mother Mary seeking to nurture the life of Christ in the world – and of St. Francis of Assisi, calling us to rebuild, restore and renew His people with hope and compassion. Mount Miriam’s 50 years has not been defined merely by bricks, mortars and building nor projects and structures but at the very heart, it has been about people, about healing and caring for one another. Patients and staff who have now gone before us, have enriched and gave purpose to our lives and a deeper meaning to universal human experience and relationship. We remember all the FMDM Sisters for their sacrifices, faith and loving service. In the spirit of St. Francis, whose words still echo the mission “We have been called to heal wounds, to unite what has fallen apart, and to bring home those who have lost their way”.
Mount Miriam offers heartfelt prayers and gratitude to Cardinal Sebastian Francis, Rev. Fathers, Rev. Deacons, Religious Brothers and Sisters, Catholic Health Care Asia Stewards, Members of the Board and Executive Team, Dedicated Medical Consultants, Visiting Specialists, Doctors, Nurses, Staff, Patient Support Groups, Friends of Mount Miriam, Benefactors, Volunteers, Beloved Community, Patients, Families and Lay Visionaries.
Chief Operating Officer, Ms Gemma Ong, expressed thanks to all present for their service and commitment, calling them “Instruments of God’s Healing Love”. The celebrations concluded with fellowship and shared meals embodying the spirit of community and thanksgiving.
By Christopher Kushi
