On 18 January 2026, the Church of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Butterworth, Penang, hosted a heartfelt gathering in remembrance of Sr. Colette Selvam IJ, titled “Celebrating the Legacy of the Mother Theresa of Mak Mandin.” The community came together to honour her life of unwavering faith and selfless service.
The initiative was led by Cardinal Sebastian Francis, Bishop of Penang, who sought to recognize her enduring presence and profound impact within the Diocese of Penang. Cardinal Sebastian recalled knowing Sr. Colette from her days in Seremban, when as a young priest he gave talks on human formation to her students. He described her as “baptized in the Holy Spirit,” and emphasized that as Asians, “being storytellers, we must tell her story to our people.” The conference room was filled with fellow IJ sisters—Sr. Gertrude Tan, Sr. Amy Sam, Sr. Marie Angele Phang, Sr. Rita Lim, alongside past volunteers, former students, and many others eager to hear and share her legacy firsthand. They all came to be inspired with stories!
On 19 November 2025, at the age of 86, Sr. Colette was called home to the Lord. For 64 years, she lived her vocation as an Infant Jesus Sister, touching countless lives: 23 years as an educator in Convent Schools, and another 25 years nurturing young minds within Church institutions. Beyond the convent schools, she also served at Montfort Boys’ Town Shah Alam, Montfort Youth Centre Melaka, St. Joseph’s Home Penang, and the IJ Learning Centre Mak Mandin.
The Congregation of the Infant Jesus Sisters carries the charism of education that emphasizes holistic formation, social outreach in vulnerable communities especially women and children and always with spiritual accompaniment to discover God’s love. Founder Blessed Nicolas Barré proclaimed: “Whatever happens, be always at peace and trust in God. It will be done to you according to your Faith, your Hope and your Love, and even beyond that.”
This same spirit was embodied by the IJ Sisters through Sr. Colette, when she courageously opened the IJ Learning Centre in the Mak Mandin squatter settlement in 1991. This was not a cosy initiative, and those who remember, know that Mak Mandin was a squatter settlement marked then by despair, gangsterism, and social challenges. The IJ Sisters took the challenge! Sr. Colette began with a humble makeshift IJ Learning Centre, offering children a safe space for learning amidst adversity. In 1992 they moved to a rented premise and in 1995 the IJ Sisters bought a double storey house in the vicinity to fully establish a learning and tuition centre for the children of Mak Mandin.
The IJ Provincial of Malaysia, Sr. Theresa Chua in her message affirmed that Sr. Colette’s life and work were a true embodiment of Christ’s presence among us. Her heart was always with the poor and the young, and her mission was deeply rooted in faith and compassion. Sr. Amy Sam recalled Sr. Colette as being gentle in character and always ready to advice and affirm the novice IJ Sisters. She also had a love for music.
Sr. Colette’s ministry among the hardcore poor in Mak Mandin meant the children she nurtured came from economically deprived backgrounds, needing not only education but also personal encouragement to realize their potential. Two of her former students, Daniel Kalichandran and S. Kalaivani, shared testimonies of how Sr. Colette’s guidance instilled in them a love for learning, confidence, and the courage to pursue their aspirations. Kalaivani says Sr. Colette is our Godmother! Daniel is special as he was nurtured by Sr. Collette from a baby boy until adulthood. Over the years, she “mothered” around 500 children, using her gifts in education, music and caring, to nurture them. After hearing the tributes, I personally will call her “Mother Colette of Mak Mandin”.
Other tributes followed, including from Elizabeth Davidson, a former expatriate teacher and Aussie national, who had volunteered at the IJ Learning Centre. Elizabeth sent a moving video message with pictures of the days when the Centre was full of children. Hilary Manecksha, Ruth Paul, Anita Pragasam, Jusentha Joseph and many others also shared their personal stories of their days with Sr. Colette at the IJ Learning Centre, Mak Mandin. All shared the challenges and their work manifested with the knowledge that God will provide and help because the task is a worthy one.
Sr. Gertrude Tan added that we were blessed to have our retired teachers from our Convent Schools in Butterworth and Penang Island who gave their time and experience to assist Sr. Colette. Names remembered are Anne Marie and husband Eric Yap, Rachel Hong (Headmistress of Convent Secondary Butterworth), Mrs. Thangam (Headmistress of Convent Primary) and the late Mrs. Angela and husband John Thong (Supervisor of Convent Secondary).
In closing, the organizers of the gathering, Anil Netto and Joe Pragasam reminded the gathering that the best way to honour Sr. Colette’s legacy is to continue seeing Jesus in the lost, the last, the least, and the little. The IJ Family prayer for January 2026 is: That we may respond “at once” to Christ’s call, living the “Holy Abandonment” of Blessed Nicolas Barré and trusting that in the service of unity, we find our true identity in Christ.
By Christopher Kushi
