History of the Carmelite Sisters in Malaysia
Background | Preparations | Inauguration | 1982-2002
This Carmel was the idea of His Grace Archbishop Dominic Vendargon. After his ordination as Bishop of Kuala Lumpur in 1955, he tried without success to persuade the Carmel of Singapore to make a foundation in his diocese. At the beginning in 1981, the Archbishop again renewed his request. Father Pierluigi, a Carmelite Friar, who preached the retreat of the Carmelite nuns of Singapore in January 1981, not only encouraged the Prioress, Mother Josephine of Mary to make the foundation, but he also went personally to see His Grace Archbishop Gregory Yong of Singapore and obtained his consent for the foundation. The Carmelite nuns of Singapore then agreed to make the foundation.
Three Sisters from Singapore went to Kuala Lumpur on 5th May 1981. On the following day, His Grace Archbishop Vendargon brought them to Mantin and offered them a small abandoned school for their use. As the brick building was too small for a monastery, the Archbishop agreed to their proposal to demolish a dilapidated wooden building nearby so that they could build an extension to the brick building.
Many prayers were offered for the speedy approval of the plan and construction of the monastery so that the inauguration of the monastery could coincide with the 4th centenary of the death of their Holy Mother Foundress, St. Teresa of Avila on 15th October 1982.
The construction began in April 1982 under the supervision of Father Henriot the administrator of the Parish of Mantin and the President of the Parish Council. Then 2 Sisters traveled to the site a few times to check on the progress. They were very grateful to the Holy Infant Jesus Sisters in Seremban who hospitably provided for their needs during their stopovers and who later offered them two beautiful statues and pews for the Monastery Chapel as well as much needed cutlery. |
