By Anthony Barich
THE University of Notre Dame Australia in Fremantle is planning a “Catholic Royal Show”-style festival on 17 October, the day of Blessed Mary MacKillop’s canonisation by Pope Benedict XVI in Rome.
The Mary MacKillop Festival – to start with a Mass at St Mary’s Cathedral celebrated by Auxiliary Bishop Donald Sproxton before proceeding in Fremantle with stalls, live bands and displays on the first Australian saint’s life on a closed-off Mouat Street – is the Archdiocese of Perth’s official event to celebrate the canonisation in Rome.
The university’s Drill Hall on Mouat Street will also screen the canonisation live at 4.30pm Perth time on ABC2 as Blessed MacKillop is canonised as St Mary of the Cross, her Religious name as Mother Superior of the first Australian-founded Religious congregation.
The idea was the brainchild of UNDA Nursing student and Notre Dame Student Association (NDSA) President Amy Rosario and her fellow students on the board when planning the 2010 calendar.
Amy told The Record the plan is driven by a desire to break the mould of the NDSA’s reputation as a “ball and cocktails club” and to “do something meaningful”, while pushing a “student-driven” agenda that has not been present in the university’s previous major events in its short 21-year history.
Amy, an avowed “Mary MacKillop fan”, said the Australian Blessed – who founded the Sisters of St Joseph of the Sacred Heart in Penola, South Australia in 1866 – appeals to youth with her image as a “rebel” whose vision of education continues today in the very existence of UNDA.
Blessed MacKillop – who will be canonised as “St Mary of the Cross”, named after her title within her Order – was excommunicated in 1871, aged 29, the result of a number of factors, especially her desire for the Josephites to be self-governing, not responsible to local priests as a Commission investigating the Order recommended at the time.
Her legacy of the Josephites having established 117 schools by her death in 1909 is enjoyed by students today, Amy said, so it was fitting that Notre Dame host the Perth Archdiocese’s celebration of her canonisation.
“Catholic education is kind of a continuation of Mary’s vision,” said Amy, the first Nursing student to be President of the NDSA. “Students of Notre Dame have benefited so much from her legacy.”
The Josephites are also inviting people to join them for a 2.30pm cruise down the Swan River to Fremantle to watch the canonisation after the 11am Mass at the Cathedral. It leaves Fremantle for the return journey at 7pm.
Why a cruise? The Josephites have a strong connection to travelling by water.
Firstly, “for Mary, life as co-founder of the Congregation meant she had many distances to cover.” Josephite Sr Kathleen Dawe told The Record of the significance of water to the Australian Blessed,and its link to the 17 October cruise.
“Life for her in the 1860s meant she had to take long trips on the steamships.”
Mary’s only visit to WA was in Albany on 26 April 1873 when the SS Golcondra berthed for a short stay. She was en route to Rome to visit Pope Pius IX to counter a move by some against central government of the Congregation by the General Superior – Blessed MacKillop – and consequently her successors.
“A woman of courage indeed was Mary to undertake such a journey alone,” Sr Dawe said. “Imagine her surprise when she was in her accommodation and saw her own Uncle Alexander Cameron walk past. He had arrived on another ship. Mary often reminded the Sisters that we are but travellers here. Our life is a pilgrimage of faith, hope and love.”
Secondly, the arrival of the first group of Josephites in Fremantle from Adelaide on 28 October 1887 and their departure by steamer on 9 December 1887 for Champion Bay to begin the Sisters’ first mission in WA in Northampton.
Thirdly, “to give thanks for the many women from Ireland who sighted the famous ‘dingo on the flour mill’ as they arrived in Fremantle to begin their journey to join the Josephites”, Sr Kathleen said.
“We want to acknowledge their generous contribution to education, nursing and social work throughout the length and breadth of Australia. Each one gave her time and talents to our people so generously.”
Blessed MacKillop’s mother Flora also drowned off the coast of NSW near Eden in the wreck of the Ly-ee-moon when travelling from Victoria to help her daughter with a fete.
Upon hearing the news of her mother’s death, Blessed MacKillop immediately went to the Oratory and remained two hours before the Blessed Sacrament in prayer.
The UNDA students are seeking support in organising the event.
Contact Amy on 0433 625 211 or email amy.rosario1@my.nd.edu.au. For the cruise, contact Sr Kathleen on kdawe@perthcatholic.org.au.