On 13th December 2025, His Eminence Cardinal Dato’ Seri Sebastian Francis, Bishop of Penang solemnly presided over the Rite of Blessing for the Msgr. (Ignatius John) Aloysius Spiritual Center (MASC) at No: 52L, Jalan Penang, 10000 Georgetown, Penang together with Rev. Fr. Edmund Woon, Rev. Fr. Joachim Roberts, Rev. Deacon Andrew Loh, the MASC Board with Sister Cyrilla Baptist, Ministry Heads, Sister Roslin Zaccharius FDCC of St Joseph Home and People of God.
The MASC stands as a tribute to Rt. Rev. Msgr. Ignatius John Aloysius (1903-1994). During the 30th Memorial Mass of Msgr. IJ Aloysius on 17 February 2024, Cardinal Sebastian pledged that the Catholic Pastoral Centre within the compound of the Church of St. Francis Xavier would be renamed in his honour as the Msgr. (IJ) Aloysius Spiritual Centre. Guided by Rev. Fr. Edmund Woon and the MASC Board, this vision came to fruition, culminating in the Rite of Blessing on this memorable day.
In his homily, Cardinal Sebastian described the MASC as a sacred place within a marketplace. He reminded the faithful that while Georgetown’s bustling life surrounds us, the MASC offers a spiritual oasis of rest and renewal. Sharing Matthew 11:28 “Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest” – emphasizing that the MASC is a refuge for body, mind and soul. Cardinal Sebastian prayed, “Let us ask God to bless this centre and all who will come here seeking rest, healing and guidance. May this centre be a shelter of peace, a school of prayer and a spring of spiritual renewal.
This oasis of spiritual retreat is deeply symbolic. Nearby stands Msgr. Aloysius’s beloved parish, the Church of St. Francis Xavier named after the great missionary of the East, where Msgr. Aloysius pastored for 27 years and the St. Joseph Home, where he served as Director. The Catholic Heritage Cemetery, resting place of missionaries and IJ Sisters, also lies close by, anchoring the centre in a rich spiritual heritage. Cardinal Sebastian invoked the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Saint Joseph, Saint Francis Xavier, all the saints, Msgr. IJ Aloysius and all the departed faithful to pray for us.
Cardinal Sebastian Francis, Fr. Edmund Woon, Fr. Joachim Roberts, Deacon Andrew Loh and the faithful proceeded to bless the MASC rooms, offices and common areas with the sprinkling of Holy Water, accompanied by the recitation of the Rosary.
Rt. Rev. Bishop Emeritus Antony Selvanayagam described Msgr. Aloysius as “a down-to-earth human person, touched by God’s spirit in Christ and the priesthood gave him the added gift to be a man of God and man for others in the Church and in society”. His stature was recognized internationally, when in 1978, Pope Paul VI named him the first Malaysian Honorary Prelate, granting the title Monsignor. In 1983, Pope John Paul II bestowed on Msgr. Aloysius the highest honor awarded to a priest, the ‘Supernumerary Apostolic Protonotary”. Apart from being the first Vicar General and Vicar Capitular of the Diocese of Penang, he was also made an Honorary Member of the MEP Society, Paris. Msgr. Aloysius with pastoral foresight, built the Church of St. John Britto, Sg. Pinang, Penang in 1969.
Earlier Fr. Edmund Woon, of City Parish welcomed all and together with Chan Lilian, Administrator of MASC, introduced the Center’s mission of Spiritual Renewal. The Centre offers (i) Private & Quiet Spaces: Essential for spiritual direction, (ii) Silent Retreats: Dedicated environment for deep healing encounters and (iii) Guided Retreats: Ideal setting for small, focused groups. Key facilities include 65-bed accommodation, 3 halls and meeting rooms, a spacious canteen and options for customized stays. There are also the shared offices and ministries of the Lighthouse Office, Pembela Wanita Office, PDNEC, AA & NA, Healing and Deliverance and Shekinah Glory.
At his 90th birthday celebrations, Msgr. Ignatius John Aloysius reflected: “I am very grateful to God for the privilege of serving Him. I am thankful to Him for granting me long life in order to carry out my ministry. I certainly have no regrets dedicating my life to His service. My only regret is that I am not able to do more for Him. I had a most rewarding and satisfying ministry and if I had my life to live over again, I would still become a priest. AD MAJOREM DEI GLORIAM – For the Greater Glory of God”.
Before his passing on Ash Wednesday, 16th February 1994, at the Little Sisters of the Poor, Msgr. Aloysius proclaimed: “Blessed are those who welcome me with a smile; Blessed are those whose help and kindness to me make me think of the Good Lord; When I pass the threshold of eternity, I will remember them to the Lord, Amen. Thank you, dear friends."
By Christopher Kushi
