The fifteenth anniversary of the canonisation of Australia’s first canonised Saint has been for me an invitation to take a ‘walk down memory lane’.
I recall that, as the canonisation of Mary MacKillop drew near in 2010, the Australian media developed an insatiable curiosity about Mary and the Sisters of Saint Joseph she founded with Julian Tenison Woods. A resurgence of interest in women’s Religious Life in the Australian community resulted in numerous articles and interviews with Sisters. Mary MacKillop became a household name. It was said that ‘Everyone in Australia at the moment has a link to Mary MacKillop.’[1] There was genuine excitement in the Catholic community and more broadly, particularly in towns and country areas where there was a Josephite presence.
A check through my files yielded my response to a question from a reporter: “I believe her canonisation affirms the way of life that Mary began and which we Sisters live today. Although circumstances of life in the 21st century call for different responses to the many and different needs of our world, we must still strive to live according to the principles that guided Mary’s life. For us, the canonisation is not merely a celebration of an extraordinary life lived in the 19th and early 20th centuries. More than anything, the canonisation calls us, her Sisters, (and those who identify as Josephite) to keep all that she stood for alive in our day. It is an occasion on which we can rededicate ourselves to God and to the vision bequeathed to us by Mary”. Fifteen years on, this anniversary may be another such occasion.
The pilgrimage to Rome was an extraordinary experience, with multiple events leading up to the amazing canonisation event. The atmosphere amongst pilgrims was one of sheer joy. We could hardly contain our excitement when the Holy Father finally added the name of Mary of the Cross MacKillop to the canon of saints. It was both a proud and humbling moment. What a great privilege it was to be part of this most solemn occasion!
The Australian community acknowledged Mary as a great Australian. One only need refer to Hansard in the days following the Canonisation for evidence of this as MP (Member of Parliament) after MP rose to acknowledge and applaud Mary, her life and work and that of her Sisters of Saint Joseph. The words of Sid Sidebottom, the member for Braddon reflect the sentiments expressed many times over on the floor of the National Parliament.
Every Australian who admires the selfless actions of one of their own, need go no further for inspiration than this extraordinary Australian woman [Mary MacKillop].
Somehow, Mary’s spirit seemed to have infused the whole Australian community. People, not just Catholics, were so proud that one of our own people had been so honoured and held up as a model of the best qualities in our nation. The words of Pope John Paul II at the time of Mary’s beatification echoed once again across the country.
Mary MacKillop embodied all that is best in your nation and in its people – a genuine openness to others, hospitality to strangers, generosity to the needy, justice to those unfairly treated, perseverance in the face of adversity, kindness and support to the suffering. I pray that her example will inspire many Australians to take pride in their Christian heritage and to work for a better society for all… Think of Blessed Mary MacKillop and learn from her to be a gift of love and compassion for one another, for all Australia and for the whole world.
Jill Dance rsj
Footnote:
[1] Ms Gambaro, Member for Petrie, Hansard, 18 October 2010