“We must teach more by example than by word”
In 2010, Mary MacKillop became the first native of Australia to be canonized by the Church. She was born in 1842 in Melbourne, the eldest of 8 children. Several of which were called to religious vocations, reflecting the importance of their Catholic faith.
Their lives were difficult with financial tension. The children brought in income and Mary became a main provider at the age of 16. She was a governess for her aunt and uncle and started teaching and caring for their children. This sparked a longing within her as she began to teach at a nearby school that brought her into contact with Father Woods, the local priest.
He approached her about teaching Catholic education and she accepted, bringing two of her sisters to join the teaching of 50 children in a stable. She dedicated herself to God and along with several other women, began to call themselves Sisters of St. Joseph of the Sacred Heart, founding the first religious institute in Australia. Their order expanded rapidly.
They also worked within an orphanage with neglected children, girls in danger, the aged poor, a prison and the incurably ill.
She heard of a priest in one of their parishes criminally misbehaving and reported it. After investigation, he was sent away, but his colleagues sought vengeance against her. They influenced the Bishop to make changes against their order which negatively impacted them. Mary did not comply and she was excommunicated due to insubordination.
Most of the schools were closed and they could not make contact within the Church. She was sheltered by the local Jesuit priests. On his deathbed, the Bishop realized the error in his ways and lifted her excommunication, allowing her to resume her work for God. The order thrived once again living within the community instead of in a convent.
Suffering a previous stroke, she died in 1909 and even at the time of her death she was recognized as a saintly woman.
“Believe in the whisperings of God to your own heart”
She is the patron saint of Australia, Brisbane, and the Knights of the Southern Cross.
Her feast day is August 8.
For God’s Glory
