Mary MacKillop to be Australia's First Saint 2010

Catholic Communications, Sydney Archdiocese,
21 Dec 2009

Pope Benedict XV1 has confirmed that the cure of a lady from inoperable lung cancer through the intercession of Blessed Mary MacKillop is a true miracle.

This clears the way for the canonization of Mary MacKillop - probably in the second half of next year.

The Sisters of St Joseph, the Congregation founded by Mary MacKillop are celebrating the good news along with Catholics and non Catholics around Australia.

"This is a special time not only for the Sisters but also for Australia and the universal Church," Sister Anne Derwin, Congregational Leader said.

"Mary has been acknowledged as not only truly saintly but also one of Australia's true heroes.

"Mary was a woman ahead of her time; she was bold and tenacious and let nothing stand in the way of her care for others.

Her strength, humour and egalitarian vision have important relevance in today's busy and complex times," Sister Anne said.

Mary MacKillop was born in 1842 in Victoria and growing up she knew what it was like to be poor.

She spent time as a governess in Penola where she met Fr Julian Tenison Woods. Together they founded the Sisters of Saint Joseph of the Sacred Heart which provided the education and other assistance for the needy, especially in rural areas.

At her death on August 8, 1909, Mary was recognized as a holy woman. The first miracle attributed to and accepted by the Vatican was a Sydney. woman with in operable cancer. She was Beatified by Pope John Paul 11 in Sydney on January 19, 1995.

The second miracle was the cure of a Hunter Valley woman with inoperable cancer5 in the mid-1990's.
 
Archbishop Cardinal George Pell said;" We are very lucky to receive our first saint so early in our history. We need golod models which will transcend the lines of division.

"It is not easy to become a saint, not merely because it takes hard work to follow Christ's teaching heroically across a lifetime.

"The Vatican conducts a detailed examination of the evidence over many years. The canonization process is not a popularity contest or some sort of poll to judge the strength of competing vews. While the office of the Devil's Advocate no longer exists, the claims to sanctity are thoroughly tested.."

Cardinal Pell said Mary MacKillop was at the heart of the Catholic tradition.

"She was unusual in her faith and prayer, her ability to inspire others tyo join her (so lacking today), her ability to forgive and her loyalty to her fellow sisters and the Church leaders who did not always treat her well," he said.

Cardinal Pell added;"Mary MacKillop is a very worthy saint for Australia, an important first for all of us."

Read 'Mary MacKillop - Good News for All Australians' by Cardinal George Pell