Mary MacKillop’s words of wisdom – Take Fresh Courage.
Greetings on this 10th Anniversary of the canonisation of Mary MacKillop. Our hearts are filled with joy when we remember the excitement and gift of this day in 2010. Australians, Sisters from across the Congregation and the people with whom we had ministered were filled with great pride as we celebrated this special moment in our story.
Let us pause and remember that moment when Mary MacKillop was acclaimed as a saint of the universal church. Do you remember where you were and how you felt. My heart was filled with joy.
Let us take a moment’s silence and reflect on how the spirit of St Mary of the Cross MacKillop has continued to live on in each one since her canonisation. How has each one been gifted? How has her life continued to shape my commitment to living the Gospel way of life and to making a difference in the world?
As we celebrate on this 10th anniversary, we recall that one of her marks of holiness was her capacity to persevere in the face of adversity. She teaches us to search for the seed of opportunity in every difficulty. In 1877 Mary MacKillop wrote a letter to her Sisters in a time when their very existence was being threatened. Her ever reassuring presence encouraged her Sisters to lean into the heart of God and to ‘Take Fresh Courage’.
Mary MacKillop’s life continues to speak to the realities of our lives. COVID-19 has turned our lives upside down in a variety of ways. It has called upon all our strength and resilience to ‘Take Fresh Courage’ as we find new ways of living with hope in a chaotic world.
As we celebrate this moment, may St Mary of the Cross MacKillop wrap her love around our hearts whispering to us to ‘Take Fresh Courage’.
As we remember with gratitude this special day, may we treasure the memories and rejoice in her continued blessing for our church and our world.
We thank God for the life, wisdom and continued contribution of St Mary of the Cross to Australia and our world.
Happy celebration.
Sr Monica Cavanagh
Congregational Leader
You’re invited to view Sr Monica’s video message below…