College General Penang

If you are looking for College General Penang, the official website is over here.

I think this is the fourth time I drove to College General (some history over here). I still have problem remembering the roads leading to this huge property on the hill. Now, I am more sure of the roads. So, let me jot down before I forget again. Jalan Tanjong Tokong, coming from Georgetown direction, turn left in Jalan Gajah. Then, go up the hilly road and look for Jalan Cengai which is one of the residential homes tiny road on the right. Jalan Gajah is somewhere near Chinese Swimming Club.

Don’t expect any huge signs that show you the way. I wonder why? Well….I can guess.

I was there twice for my eldest son’s confirmation camp and twice for meetings. Usually I passed by this statue and had wondered who they are cos they look like they are wearing turbans. Now I know. They are not locals.

They are Vietnamese saints. Their headgears do look very errm….local, isn’t it?

Their names and birth/death years are as above. They are canonised on 19 June 1988. That means they become martyr saints a century after their deaths. Looking at the dates they died, I guess they must be a group of Catholic priests who died around the same era. I wonder how they died, what they did during their lifetime and how they become saints.

Maybe I am getting on with age and become curious or maybe I am just plain curious like a kid? Do you know that these people who eventually become saints are really saints? I mean they must have been some heroes in their lifetime. When they died, ‘they’ still have to ‘perform’ some miracles before they are canonised as saints.

Anyway, my ‘favourite’ Saint is our cathedral patron saint – BLESSED NICHOLAS BUNKERD KITBAMRUNG (1895-1944). You can read about his life on my cathedral website and also my reason why I think I want to emulate a life like his.

When I was baptised, I didn’t pick a Saint’s name for my confirmation. I couldn’t find any names I like. Now, I wonder if I can use Nicholas as my Saint’s name? Hmmmm….Lilian Nicholas Chan. Nice! Makes mental note to ask priest if we can choose a Saint who is the opposite gender? Can a male choose a name like Angel? My #2 son is looking for a name and he said if he use Angel, he will be Michaelangeloh.

College General is going to celebrate its bi-centennial in October 2008. I am so excited I am part of the committee who take care of the F&B. Woohoo! 150 priests from all over the world.

UPDATED 21 JULY 2008

More photos are added.

College General ground

Two French (I think) Saints. They are :
left :

and on the right :

Meanwhile, the Vietnamese Saints statue in College General has been given a new coat of paint.