Mary MacKillop - News of her Canonisation Expected Overnight

Catholic Communications, Sydney Archdiocese,
19 Feb 2010

The long and eagerly awaited news about the canonisation of Blessed Mary MacKillop and the date she will be made Australia's first saint is expected from the Vatican overnight.

His Holiness, Pope Benedict XV1 will meet in a solemn consistory with Cardinals and Bishops today after which he will announce his decision and the date for the canonisation ceremony at St Peter's in Rome.

The Sisters of St Joseph will be represented by their Postulator for the Cause, Sr Maria Casey.

Sister Anne Derwin, Congregational Leader of the Sisters of St Joseph, says all the Sisters are very excited in anticipation of the announcement.

"The Sisters have been waiting for 85 years for this moment however we hope the news will help people focus on those in need in our world today."

Late last year Pope Benedict XV1 confirmed the cure of a mother from inoperable lung cancer through the intercession of Blessed Mary MacKillop was a true miracle. This cleared the way for canonisation.

The woman, Kathleen Evans had been told she not only had lung cancer but secondary tumours of the brain. The cancers were inoperable and she had little time to live. However Kathleen prayed to Mary MacKillop for her intercession. Incredibly she began to improve until doctors told her there was no sign of the cancers, anywhere.

Kathleen has said she was sure from the start it was a miracle and now, nearly 20 years later is so pleased to know Mary MacKillop is close to being canonised.

Mary MacKillop has been described as a woman ahead of her time; bold and tenacious who was determined to provide education and other assistance for the needy, especially in rural areas.

Archbishop Cardinal George Pell said;" We are very lucky to receive our first saint so early in our history. We need good models which will transcend the line of division.

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

"But it is good to remember the Church doesn't make saints, it recognises them."

The canonisation of Mary MacKillop and the date will be made by the Pope along with five other "saints-in-waiting".

Some sources have suggested an October canonisation - all will be known tomorrow.