Centenary of the death of Mary MacKillop

Mary MacKillop …One Great Woman

Saturday morning, 8th August, 8.30 a.m., a steady stream of people emerges purposefully from Parliament Station and moves along MacArthur Street. These are not the usual weekday commuters, hurrying to their place of work. It is obvious that they know where they are headed and why. They share and recognize in each other the spirit of Mary MacKillop. They think they’re early but, as St Patrick’s Cathedral comes into view they notice that already a crowd is gathering. From many parts of Melbourne and, indeed, from a significant number of rural communities throughout Victoria, devotees of Blessed Mary MacKillop are arriving to celebrate the centenary of her death. Mary has touched the hearts of many Victorians and, by 9.30am, an estimated three thousand people have filled the Cathedral.

The chime of a single bell called for silence. A hush fell. The prelude to the Eucharist began. A young Sr Mary of the Cross (Jade Deguara, a student of Mount St Joseph, Altona) approached the altar and knelt.

The procession that followed highlighted the scope of the work initiated by Mary and continued by the Sisters who have followed in her footsteps.

Representatives came forward from fifty-three schools and parishes as well as other organizations established by, or involving, the Sisters of St Joseph. Altogether sixty-four banners were displayed around the cathedral. They were carried by children and adults from as far away as Swan Hill, Orbost, Bairnsdale and Numurkah and from outer suburbs such as St Albans and Dallas. The Sisters of St Joseph sat among the congregation, indistinguishable from their lay associates, family and friends, thus symbolising Blessed Mary MacKillop’s desire that her Sisters share the lives of those they serve.

By 10.00am the congregation, led by Archbishop Denis Hart and his assistant Bishops and Priests, began the celebration of the Eucharist.

The sincerity of the Archbishop’s homily touched the hearts of his listeners. He reminded them of Mary’s deep faith and trust in the Providence of God. Many in the congregation felt that his words were relevant to their own lives.

The words of the hymns sung during the Mass were equally pertinent. They reflected the qualities that make Mary the great model she is for today’s ordinary Australians.

The choir and musicians, directed by Chris O’Malley, included staff and students from MacKillop College, Werribee; Penola College, Broadmeadows; Mount St Joseph College, Altona and Marcellin College, Bulleen. Michael Herry fms, Geoffrey Cox, Ann Fichera, Geraldine Larkins rsj and Tony Caddy fms contributed significantly to the singing and music that lifted the minds and hearts of all present.

The word “uplifted” was used by many to describe how they felt during the celebration.

At the conclusion of Mass Sr Josephine Dubiel, the current leader of the Sisters of St Joseph in Victoria, reminded those present that “gratitude is the memory of the heart”.

As she spoke, she stirred in the hearts of her listeners the memories that linked them to Blessed Mary MacKillop and to one another. There was a sense of pride in the knowledge that Mary is “the local girl made good”: that she, who will soon become Australia’s first saint, was born and raised in this city.

There was a sense of gratitude that Mary has inspired many followers, not only the Sisters of St Joseph, but the Associates and numerous lay people who continue to bring the Good News to the poor through a variety of ministries.

Following the Mass many gathered for refreshments in the Dallas Brooks Centre. The occasion provided an opportunity to share anecdotes, to re-awaken friendships forged in the past, to value the present and renew hopes and dreams for the future, in the spirit of Mary MacKillop.

More Photos

Sr Marie Hanger rsj
Sr Diane Moore rsj

MMK Centenary Blog