Mary MacKillop, St Mary of the Cross
“never see a need without doing something about it”. (Mary Mackillop, 1871)
Mary MacKillop (1842 -1909), known as St Mary of the Cross, was an Australian Roman Catholic nun, who founded the Sisters of Saint Joseph of the Sacred Heart, together with Father Julian Tenison-Woods at Penola (South Australia) on 19 March 1866. Mary MacKillop was its first Sister and Mother Superior.
Mary MacKillop established a number of schools and welfare organizations throughout Australia with a focus on education for the poor, particularly in country regions. Conflict over educational matters between Fr. Tenison-Woods and the clergy resulted in Mary being ex-communicated by Bishop Sheil on 22 September 1871 for alleged insubordination. Consequently; most of the schools were closed and the Josephites almost disbanded. On 21 February 1872, Bishop Shiel lifted the ex-communication on his deathbed.
In 1873, Mary MacKillop successfully traveled to Rome and attained papal approval of the Sisters of Saint Joseph of the Sacred Heart. In 1875, after returning from Rome, she was elected Superior General.
The Josephites are unique in structure amongst Catholic orders. Firstly, the nuns do not live in convents, instead they live in the community. Secondly the Josephite’s constitution is not administered by the diocese (headed by a Bishop) instead it requires administration by a Superior General.
Since her death in 1909 she has attracted much veneration in Australia and internationally. Following recognition of two miracles, Mary Mackillop was canonised on the 17 October 2010. She is the only Australian to have been canonised.
For more information click here for the Sisters of Saint Joseph of the Sacred Heart or Saint Mary MacKillop
© 2012 Mary MacKillop Outreach