Recently Malaysia’s Cardinal Sebastian Francis has decided to investigate the life of Sybil Kathigasu, to determine if she lived a life of heroic virtue.
If the investigation discovers she did live a life of heroic virtue, her case will then be sent to the Vatican for further confirmation. After approval and authentication of any miracles that may occur through her intercession, she could become the first native saint from Malaysia.
Who was Sybil?
Sybil was raised in the Catholic faith and eventually married Abdon Clement Kathigasu, a Hindu doctor at the time.
Her husband converted and they were married on January 7, 1919. They would go on to have three children.
They both ran a private medical practice in Ipoh town in Malaya.
When the Japanese occupied Malaya during World War II, Sybil and her husband continued to covertly treat patients and hide those who were opposed to the occupation.
Eventually they were caught, imprisoned and tortured. They were freed in 1945 after the results of World War II.
She was flown to London for treatment and wrote an autobiography in which she revealed the horrendous treatment she endured during imprisonment.
Through it all Sybil kept the faith and was courageous in her actions. She died on June 12, 1948, at the age of 49.
Her heroic actions remain an inspiration to the people of Malaysia.
