Categories: other-churches, lives-of-saints
Date: 20 February 2010 06:06:04
It is now official: Mary MacKillop will be canonised in a ceremony at the Vatican on October 17. Mary MacKillop [5 January 1842 – 8 August 1909] founded, together with Fr Julian Tenison Woods, the Sisters of St Joseph of the Sacred Heart. The sisters were, and are, still known affectionately as 'Josephites' or 'Brown Joeys' [joey being a young kangaroo; brown as they wore brown habits], and their work is with the poor, marginalised and disadvantaged now not only in Australia and New Zealand, but also in Ireland, Peru, East Timor, Scotland and Brazil.
A great blessing indeed. And a most wonderful example of a saintly life lived for Christ in the service of the poor and needy; and that continues to be lived by the sisters today working in the order she founded.
A few interesting, at least to me, facts from her life: of which you can read more in the link above. In 1866 she, together with Fr Woods whom she had met and been inspired by previously, founded the first Saint Joseph's School in a disused stable in the town of Penola, South Australia. Moving to Adelaide in 1867, to found a school at the request of Bishop Laurence Sheil, the newly-formed Sisters of St Joseph of the Sacred Heart established a women's refuge, an orphanage and a home for older women, as well as providing education. By 1871, 130 sisters were working in more than 40 schools and charitable institutions across South Australia and Queensland.
Mary MacKillop did encounter opposition from outside the church as well as within it -- and was, for several months, excommunicated [regretting the action, Bishop Sheil removed the sentence]. She travelled to Rome in 1873 to seek papal approval for her religious congregation, where she was encouraged and given a trial period by Pope Pius IX; Pope Leo XIII gave the final approval to the Sisters of Saint Joseph of the Sacred Heart in 1888.
I cannot end this post better than with some words by Sr Anne Derwin, Congregational Leader of the Sisters of St Joseph; from her letter on the SoSJ website linked above:
As one of Australia’s great pioneers Mary worked tirelessly throughout her life. She brought faith and education to isolated places and peoples; provided food, shelter and consolation to those hungry, homeless and lonely showed compassion and love to all....
It is my hope that Mary’s example will continue to inspire many today, especially our young people, to live with the same deep faith in God, the same hope and the same selfless charity.
Mary MacKillop was a bold and pioneering woman. To her all people were equal. To her all people deserved a fair go. Her values and endeavours symbolise and reflect what it means to be Australian.
Mary MacKillop is a relevant model of holiness and service for all of us today.