Saints are always remarkable, but the relics of four truly remarkable saints were installed in the new altar of St Patrick’s during the consecration and dedication ceremony.
St Mary MacKillop, 1842-1909
Australia’s own – and first – official saint. Born to Scottish parents in Australia, Mary went to South Australia as a governess in 1860. There she met Father Julian Tenison Woods, her spiritual director and co-founder of the Sisters of St Joseph of the Sacred Heart, or Josephites. The congregation, which ran schools and orphanages, became her life’s work. Mary guided it through the years of clashes with Bishops over property and poverty issues. One Bishop even excommunicated this foundress, who was beatified by Pope John Paul II in Sydney in 1995 and canonised by Pope Benedict in October last year. Feast: 8 August
St Irenaeus of Lyons, c 125-202
A Greek born in Asia Minor, Irenaeus was a disciple of St Polycarp, who was a disciple of St John the Evangelist. He went to Gaul as a missionary and served in Lyons during a time of persecution. On returning from a mission to Rome, he succeeded the martyred St Pothinus as Bishop of Lyons. History does not support the tradition that he, too, was martyred. This early Christian theologian is best known for his treatise against the heresy of Gnosticism.
Feast – June 28
St Monica, 331-387
This North African laywoman married Patricius; St Augustine of Hippo was their eldest child. She tried to bring him up a Christian but also was ambitious for his worldly success. He scorned Christianity and had a son with his mistress. In 383, Monica followed Augustine to Italy, where she was a follower of St Ambrose. Three years later, Augustine was baptised. But Monica fell ill and died before their return to Africa. Years before, a Bishop had famously counselled her: “It is not possible that the son of so many tears should be lost.”
Feast – August 27
St Thomas A’Becket, 1118-1170
Like the later chancellor of the realm, Thomas Moore, who also became a martyr and a saint, Thomas Becket was the close personal friend as well as the loyal servant of his young sovereign. Henry of Anjou, great grandson of William the Conqueror who became King Henry, appointed the gifted young churchman as chancellor (chief minister).
In 1162, Thomas A’Becket became Archbishop of Canterbury, going from a powerful and wealthy life to one remarkable for its austerity and prayer. Although a close friend of the King, the Archbishop was on an almost inevitable collision course with him given that there would be conflicts over the rights of Church and State; these developed.
The quarrel between the two dragged on for three years. In 1170, Thomas returned to Canterbury from abroad. The King, in a fit of rage, pronounced words which several of his hearers took as a rebuke for allowing Becket to continue to live. Four of his knights at once set off for Canterbury where they killed Thomas.
When the news was brought to the King, he shut himself up and fasted for 40 days, realising his remarks had caused the killing. He later performed public penance in Canterbury Cathedral and, in 1172, received absolution from the papal delegates. Within three years of his death, the Archbishop had been canonised as a martyr. Though far from a faultless character, Thomas had the courage to lay down his life to defend the ancient rights of the Church against an aggressive State.
Feast: 29 December