Pope paves way for Australia’s first saint
By Anthony Barich
National Reporter
Pope Benedict XVI has approved the second miracle through the intercession of Blessed Mary MacKillop, paving the way for Australia’s first saint to be canonised in Rome in 2010.
Following a December 19 meeting with the Congregation for Saints’ Causes in Clementine Hall at the Vatican, the Pope made the announcement that day approving the miracle – the 1995 cure of a woman suffering from an invasive and inoperable cancer. The first miracle that led to her beatification by John Paul II in 1995 was the 1961 cure of a woman from leukemia.
An announcement for the date of the canonisation is expected next year.
Sr Anne Derwin, congregational leader of the Sisters of St Joseph of the Sacred Heart – the order Blessed MacKillop founded with Father Julian Tenison Woods in Penola, South Australia in 1866 – said in a December 19 statement that “today is a special day not only for the Sisters but also for Australia and the universal Church”.
“It is a day to acknowledge Mary who is not only truly saintly but also one of Australia’s true heroes,” Sr Anne said.
“Mary was a woman truly ahead of her time; she was bold and tenacious and let nothing stand in the way of her care for others. Her strength, humour and egalitarian vision have important relevance in today’s busy and complex times.
“The universal recognition of Mary’s holiness for the Church and the whole world will inspire future generations both in Australia and throughout the world.”
Sr Judy Sippel, who is overseeing preparations for next year’s canonisation, said she found out Mother Mary’s second miracle had been approved by the Pope about 11pm local time on December 19.
“I hadn’t been able to sleep waiting for (the news) to come,” Sr Judy told Australian Associated Press.
“There was definitely no chance of sleep when I found out. It’s just so exciting one of our own has made it to the ranks of saints. It’s not easy getting to the top in Rome.”
The lady whose cure constituted the second miracle required for Blessed MacKillop’s canonisation passed on a message to Sr Anne, which the congregational leader read at a December 20 press conference at Mary MacKillop Place, North Sydney:
“This is wonderful news, I feel personally humbled and grateful to Mary MacKillop and the influence she has had on my life,” said the lady, who wishes to remain anonymous.“I understand that on a day like today you might have a thousand questions to ask about my story – and some time in the future I do want to share that with you. But today is not about my story.
“Today is about Mary MacKillop. It is a day to celebrate and reflect on Mary’s life, the work she did and the love she has shown to so many of us ordinary people around the world.
“Mary MacKillop has always provided me with hope and inspiration, particularly during the most difficult times in my life. I hope this news today provides others, especially younger Australians, with inspiration and encouragement to live as generously and compassionately as Mary did.“
After the Australian Bishops’ November 23-27 Plenary meeting at Mary MacKillop Place, they announced on December 4 that a working party was established to coordinate education programs and celebrations across Australia to ensure that
Blessed MacKillop’s canonisation will be “a time of grace” for the Church in the country. The canonisation would present “a wonderful opportunity to engage about what it means to live a holy life”, they said.
Blessed MacKillop was born of Scottish parents in Fitzroy, Victoria on January 15, 1842, the eldest of eight children, and was a governess before founding the religious order to educate poor children in outback settlements at age 24.
She also opened orphanages, providences to care for the homeless and destitute, both young and old, and refuges for ex-prisoners and ex-prostitutes who wished to make a fresh start in life.
She died on August 8, 1909, and Sisters of her order are now present in Ireland, New Zealand, Peru, Brazil and refugee camps of Uganda and Thailand.
Adelaide Archbishop Philip Wilson, President of the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference, said in a December 20 statement that Blessed MacKillop “could be quite feisty and stubborn”, as she was excommunicated on September 27, 1871 by Bishop Laurence Bonaventure Sheil, who revoked the order on his deathbed five months later.
Archbishop Wilson said she has “quite rightly gained a reputation in recent times as ‘the Australian people’s saint’, largely because people can relate to her”.
“She suffered terrible setbacks, discouragement and injustice and yet through all of this her faith in God did not falter,” Archbishop Wilson said.
“Plagued by ill health for much of her life, she was still able to found a religious institute aimed at serving the poor, particularly in the field of education, which remains a vibrant and active presence in the fabric of Australian life today.
“Her motto of ‘Never see a need without doing something about it’ continues to call us forth to action. At a time when real heroes are in short supply, Mary MacKillop is a true inspiration. Her heroism is all the more firm because it is built not on celebrity or sporting skill but on her love for Jesus Christ and a life of dedication to God and her fellow human beings.”
Tim Fischer, Australian ambassador to the Holy See, said it was a “joyful occasion for Australia’s Catholic community and a landmark event in Australian history”.
“It is a great salute to a superb Australian who has done so much to help so many,’’ Mr Fischer told Australian media. “I congratulate the Official Postulator, Sr Maria Casey, and the hardworking team of the Sisters of St Joseph of the Sacred Heart, in the presentation of the cause of sainthood of Blessed Mary MacKillop, a huge task involving a lot of work over many recent months in particular, but the original cause was initiated back in 1925. There is no doubt that Blessed Mary MacKillop is not only a saintly woman, but is also an outstanding Australian pioneer, especially in the field of education, opening her first school at Penola in 1866. From Penola to Numurkah, Adelaide to Sydney and beyond, Mary MacKillop showed great leadership not only with education, but also with helping the elderly and the poor.’’