Australians had a major role in the canonisation Mass of St Mary of the
Cross MacKillop, Australia’s first saint, with Archbishop Barry Hickey
concelebrating the Mass in St Peter’s Square.
About 8,000 pilgrims, and thousands more without tickets from Australia, New Zealand, Scotland, Ireland, East Timor and Peru, were at the Mass to witness the historic event.
Most had been seated in the front section of the Square in recognition by Vatican authorities of the significance of Mary MacKillop becoming Australia’s first saint. Pilgrims waved Australian flags and the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander flag was also in pride of place.
Sisters of St Joseph were a visible presence in their teale scarves – some seated at the front and others scattered throughout the crowd which was estimated by the Vatican to be around 50,000 people.
In the lead-up to the Mass, Sr Judith Sippel rsj and Sr Katrina Brill rsj read some of Mary’s writings to the assembly and a choir made up of ACU students, some Sisters of St Joseph and other Australians sang verses from the hymn If I Could Tell the Love of God.
The choir members then joined the rest of the Vatican choir for the Mass.
With Pope Benedict’s arrival in the open Popemobile, the Mass of Canonisation, recognised as one of the most solemn and important celebrations of the Church, began.
The key moment of the canonisation rite came when the Holy Father pronounced the official formula of canonisation.
In this he declared as Saints “the Blessed Stanislaw Soltys, Andre Bessette, Candida Maria de Jesus Cipitria y Barriola, Mary of the Cross MacKillop, Giulia Salzano, and Battista Da Varano”.
In doing so, he inscribed their names in the Canon of the Saints and established throughout the Church that they be honoured devoutly among all the saints.
The reliquary, containing strands of Mary’s hair and encased in a carved wooden cross from Penola, was carried forward by Mary’s relative, Mr Ronald Campbell from Scotland, the recipient of Mary’s second miracle, Mrs Kathleen Evans, and Sr Neisha Allport rsj from St Joseph’s School, Penola.
A highlight for many pilgrims was the moment that Sr Maria Casey rsj, the Postulator for the Cause of Mary MacKillop, was presented to the Pope, knelt before him, and received an exchange of peace.
Later, Sr Maria said that during their exchange, Pope Benedict said he remembered fondly his visit to Australia for World Youth Day and his visit to Mary MacKillop’s tomb.
“He said it was a great day for Australia and he had a good look at my scarf,” she said.
“He sends his greeting to all of Australia on this very happy occasion and especially the Sisters.”
Sr Anne Derwin rsj, the Congregational Leader of the Sisters of St Joseph, read the first reading.
Pope Benedict’s homily on the theme of praying without ceasing, taken from the Gospel reading of the day, reflected perfectly the life of St Mary MacKillop.
In relating the theme to the six new saints, the Holy Father spoke in the various native languages of each of them.
In English, he spoke of Mary MacKillop’s commitment to educating the poor and her devotion to God.
“‘Remember who your teachers were – from these you can learn the wisdom that leads to salvation through faith in Christ Jesus’.
“For many years, countless young people throughout Australia have been blessed with teachers who were inspired by the courageous and saintly example of zeal, perseverance and prayer of Mother Mary MacKillop,” he said.
“She dedicated herself as a young woman to the education of the poor in the difficult and demanding terrain of rural Australia, inspiring other women to join her in the first women’s community of Religious Sisters of that country.
“She attended to the needs of each young person entrusted to her, without regard for station or wealth, providing both intellectual and spiritual formation. Despite many challenges, her prayers to St Joseph and her unflagging devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, to whom she dedicated her new congregation, gave this holy woman the graces needed to remain faithful to God and to the Church.
“Through her intercession, may her followers today continue to serve God and the Church with faith and humility!”
Following the homily, the Eucharist was celebrated, with eight concelebrants representing Mary MacKillop.
They were Cardinal George Pell (Sydney), Archbishop Philip Wilson (Adelaide), Archbishop Denis Hart (Melbourne), Archbishop John Bathersby (Brisbane), Archbishop Barry Hickey (Perth), Bishop Joseph Toal (Scotland), Bishop Denis Browne (New Zealand) and Fr Paul Gardiner SJ (former Postulator).
Altar servers included Angelo Spadavecchia, Paul Catchlove, Joseph Duke (Australia) and Antonio de Padua Martins Soares (East Timor).