Cardinal Sebastian Francis Celebrates Sybil Karthigasu’ 77th Death Anniversary

Cardinal Sebastian Francis celebrated Sybil Kartigasu's 77th death anniversary 

 Cardinal Sebastian Francis was in Ipoh last week specifically on the 12 June 2025 to celebrate the 77^th death anniversary of Sybil Karthigasu. She died on 12 June 1948.  

Cardinal Francis had started a cause last year for the beatification and canonisation of civilian hero, Sybil Kathigasu. saying "her life example draws us to the fact that what motivated her is the faith…”

In her book ‘No Dram of Mercy’ Sybil wrote of the times “she prayed and sang aloud… the Stations of the Cross and the Litanies by heart and said the Rosary on my ten fingers..prayer was consolation and a source of strength..”  

When she was freed at the end of the war she wrote that she went to St Josephs Church, Batu Gajah and “two attendants carried her from the car to the entrance of the church…at my request they left me to make my way, painfully on all fours, to the aisle of the alter where I prostrated myself in thanksgiving and humble devotion”.  Due to her torture during detention she was unable to walk.

..the illuminated canopy for the evening event 

..flowers for Sybil

Every 12^th of the month St Michaels Church will hold devotional prayers at her gravesite in the morning. However Cardinal Francis held the 77 anniversary in the evening in order that more would attend. An estimated 100 participants showed up for the prayers with all in attendance saying a prayer at Sybil’s grave.

JAG