Cardinal Pell reminds Australians that the name chosen by our first official Saint is rich with meaning for the spiritual journey through life, both as individuals and as a nation. We can only find God through the Cross.  Thanksgiving: Cardinal George Pell of Sydney concelebrates Mass in thanksgiving for the canonisation of Mary MacKillop in the Basilica of St Paul’s Outsi...

A life-size cardboard cut-out of the saintly heroine stood in the courtyard invitingly. (L-R) Kelly Clark and siblings, Elizabeth and Andrew Smith enjoy the Mary MacKillop festivities at Notre Dame including face painting. Photo: Bridget Spinks. The likeness of Mother Mary MacKillop, made by the Catholic Youth Ministry crew, drew so much attention that it attracted a queue. S...

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. Happy moments: Fr John Jegorow, the parish priest of St Mary MacKillop Parish in Ballajura, enjoys the occasion with fellow parish pilgrims. Photo: Anthony Barich About 8,000 p...

VATICAN CITY (CNS) - Each of the thousands of pilgrims who flocked to St Peter’s Square on 17 October had a special reason for being there. Above: Australian seminarian Daniel McCaughan waves his nation’s flag prior to the canonisation of six new saints, including Australia’s first, by Pope Benedict XVI in St Peter’s Square at the Vatican on 17 October. Photo...

An excerpt from a letter by Mary MacKillop is now officially included in the Office of Readings for 8 August, her feast day. Her own words reveal a great deal about the increasing closeness to God Australia’s first official saint sought, and experienced, on a daily basis ... A portrait of Blessed Mary MacKillop hangs in a museum dedicated to her at Mary MacKillop Place in Sydne...

Auxiliary Bishop Donald Sproxton presided at the 11am special Mass in St Mary’s Cathedral in Perth marking Mary MacKillop’s canonisation last Sunday. Here is his homily. Teal: A day of joy and recognition of the Josephite foundress and Order. Over 40 Perth Josephites attended the 11am Mass at Perth St Mary’s Cathedral, all wearing a teal pashmina to identify their c...

VATICAN CITY (CNS) - Before the speech-giving began at the Synod of Bishops for the Middle East, Pope Benedict XVI offered participants an unusual reflection on the threat of “false gods” that beset the modern world. A participant takes a photo before the opening session of the Synod of Bishops for the Middle East in the synod hall at the Vatican on 11 October. Photo: CNS/Pau...

VATICAN CITY - The clerical sex abuse crisis was a serious proving ground for the Catholic Church and its commitment to be open and honest with the world about the failures of its members, the Vatican spokesman said. Fr Federico Lombardi SJ “There was a great loss of trust in the Church - partially justified, partially caused by a negative and incomplete presentation of the ...

The beauty of the unbroken link  Q: In an earlier column you said that the Anglican Church has not preserved apostolic succession. Can you explain exactly what this is and why the Anglicans have not preserved it?  Fr John Flader In simple terms, apostolic succession is the continuation of the authority and mission of the apostles down the ages through their succe...

  You can’t please everyone. Nevertheless, Pope Benedict XVI, portrayed widely by the media and commentators as some kind of unreconstructed arch-conservative before his recent visit to the UK, won huge support during the trip, including this very British slogan from a supporter. CNS PHOTO/Suzanne Plunkett, Reuters In 1981, Josef Ratzinger was called to Rome by John ...