‘Virgin Mary’ window removed and given to Catholic Church - Ida Lim

File photo of the purported image of the Virgin Mary seen on the window 

pane of the Sime Darby Medical Centre Subang Jaya.

 

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 20 — The window pane with a purported image of the Virgin Mary was today removed from a hospital in Subang Jaya and handed over to the Catholic Church, as was previously agreed.

“Sime Darby Medical Centre Subang Jaya (SDMC SJ) has removed and handed over two window panes from the North Tower of the hospital complex to the Catholic Church.

“One of the panes has on it marks that some claim resemble artistic depictions of Mary, the Mother of Jesus,” the Sime Darby Group said in a statement today.

Last Tuesday, the hospital had agreed to give to the Catholic Church several glass window panes from its building that has been drawing devout Catholics and curious visitors after word of the apparition’s appearance spread.

It was also said that the glass panel will be moved to the Catholic Church of Our Lady Lourdes in Klang.

“The removal of the window panes was carried out by professionals with due care, safety and caution exercised throughout the process, which started at 10am and ended without incident at 11.35am,” Sime Darby Group said.

According to the company, leaders and parishioners of the Subang Jaya Catholic church were present at the hospital during the removal of the panes.

In the same statement, the hospital thanked its patients and staff for their “patience”, as well as the Catholic Church and enforcement authorities for their “support and kind understanding”.

“SDMC SJ would like to thank its patients and their families, residents in the vicinity of the hospital and all its staff for their patience over the last two weeks.

“SDMC SJ would also like to thank the Church, the Royal Malaysian Police, Rela officers and the public for their support and kind understanding during this period,” it said.

The image had last week continued to attract a crowd to the hospital eager to catch a glimpse of the image before it was moved, with many of them praying and singing hymns as well as lighting candles.

The image, said to be that of the Virgin Mary whom Catholics revere as the Mother of God, was reported to have first been spotted two weeks ago and has been captured on camera and reproduced on social media including Facebook where it went viral.

This is believed to be the first reported sighting of an image of the Virgin Mary in Malaysia. The phenomenon has been reported elsewhere around the world.

Some witnesses have also said they could make out a second image forming on another glass pane below the vertical row housing the apparition of Mary.

According to them, the second image resembled Jesus Christ on the crucifix.

The Catholic Church said it will withhold comment until the image has been tested and verified by theologians and church authorities, a process that will take time.