Canonisation

THE PROGRESS OF MARY MACKILLOP TOWARDS CANONISATION

In April 2008, the documents pertaining to a remarkable cure of a woman with inoperable cancer were delivered under seal to the Congregation for the Causes of Saints.  These were officially opened and then examined to establish if they were validly prepared according to the juridical requirements of the Congregation for the Causes of Saints.  The process is slow and painstaking so that there is no room for mistakes. 

When validity of the process was confirmed an official summary was prepared.  Then a chronological history of the illness and cure was also prepared.  Both the summary and chronology were translated into Italian and formatted in a book for easy reference to the cogent points of interest.

In September 2008, this book was given to two doctors, chosen by the Congregation for the Causes of Saints.  These doctors scrutinised the documents and had access to all X-rays, scans and medical reports from the cured person as well as other references to the illness from medical literature.  They were asked to give an opinion on the question, “Can the cure be explained by scientific or medical means?”  When the doctors concluded that the cure could not be explained by medical or scientific means, all the material was further studied

and discussed by a Medical Board, whose members were also chosen by the Congregation for the Causes of Saints. 

This examination has taken several months.  When the decision of the Medical Board is finalised and if the response is favourable the opinion of the Board will simply be a response to the question whether the cure can be explained by scientific or medical means.  It will not mean that the cure is a miracle. This stage is now nearing completion.

A miracle is a theological event saying that there was divine intervention through the intercession of Blessed Mary MacKillop.  For this to happen, all the documents that were given to the doctors together with those that give evidence of prayer for the intercession of Blessed Mary MacKillop will be prepared in the special format to give to a panel of theologians.  This part of the process could take many months even if there are no problems. 

If the theologians pronounce that they believe there is evidence of a cure through the intercession of Blessed Mary MacKillop, all the documentation will go to a panel of cardinals and bishops for a further opinion.  If this opinion is favourable the cardinals and bishops will make a recommendation to the Pope who will decide whether to proclaim a miracle.  At a special meeting, the Pope will announce the names of those who will be canonised in a particular year. 

Many are asking if the canonisation of Blessed Mary MacKillop will be announced before or on August 8, 2009, the centenary of her death.  Given the detail required in the process and the various phases that it still needs to go through it is most unlikely that it will be ready for August.  The road to official recognition as a saint is a long one.  The painstaking procedures ensure the integrity of the process and obviate any suggestion of dishonesty or favouritism.

What is most important is that the canonisation will recognise the holiness of Mary MacKillop, an Australian.  As Father Paul Gardiner wrote,

She is memorable because of her holiness, her love of God, and because of the activities which revealed that holiness. She will be canonised primarily to give glory to God, who displays himself, his power and his fidelity in his saints.  The saints are our friends in heaven, and they encourage us in this vale of tears by their example, especially in bearing the Cross with Christ. These effects are especially helpful to us in the case of Blessed Mary of the Cross because she is one of our own, she was born here, she knew our skies and our countryside, and she could proudly proclaim to the Roman authorities “it is an Australian who writes this”.

Mary MacKillop was of immigrant parents.  They came from Scotland in the 1840s to find a better life for themselves and their children at a time when their homeland was beset by poverty and political difficulties.  While many of the emigrants from that part of Scotland came to Australia, many went to New Zealand and to Canada.  Nelda MacDonald from Nova Scotia recalled the excitement of the descendants of Mary’s Scottish relatives after the beatification.  “It was a time of great rejoicing”, she said remembering the humble origins of Mary’s family in the Glens of Lochaber, Scotland. “Many of the MacKillop and MacDonald family members were forced off the land.  Some came to Nova Scotia and some went to Australia.  Who would have thought that one of their own would rise to such prominence? At this time the Scottish relatives are eagerly awaiting the news of the process so that they canjoin with Australians and others throughout the world in celebrating Mary of the Cross MacKillop as a saint for the world.  Mary has left an amazing legacy – one that is continued through the Sisters of Saint Joseph and the Associates who live by her charism.

Sr Maria Casey

Postulator for the Cause of Canonisation

of Blessed Mary MacKillop

May 8, 2009

Addendum:  Some Words on the Recovery of David Keohane.

David was bashed and left for dead in a street in Coogee.  He was in a coma for eight months.  His parents came from Ireland and visited the tomb of Blessed Mary MacKillop.  They and many friends prayed constantly through the intercession of Mary.  Doctors had advised them that there was no hope for their son.  In March this year, David awoke from the coma and is now making good progress in Ireland.  His parents attribute his return to consciousness and better health to the intercession of Mary MacKillop.  This cure will be documented but probably will not be required for canonisation.  Whether it would meet all the roman criteria or not, his family refer to it as their “miracle”.  There are numerous other cures and favours around the world attributed to Mary MacKillop and many of them are remarkable.