In 1873-1874 Mary travelled from Rome and then to London where the McDougalls invited her to stay at their house in Clapham Park and make herself at home during their absence. Mary then travelled to Paris and to her ancestral home the Braes of Lochaber in Scotland.
From there she returned to Fort William, where illness delayed her again for a few days before she could start for Fort Augustus. She was overjoyed to meet on the canal steamer the priest who had consoled her in her loneliness at Versailles. He paid her expenses and handed her over to her relative, Dean MacDonald of Fort Augustus, with whom she then stayed for three days. The story was the same everywhere – helpful priests and kindly welcomes in convents. … Fr Bissett gave her soul ‘the help and encouragement it sometimes so sadly needed.’
Extract from ‘Mary MacKillop: An Extraordinary Australian’ by Paul Gardiner sj (1993) pp. 140-141. E J Dwyer Pty Ltd Australia.
Let us ponder on Mary’s life during the long wait to hear from Rome about the future of the congregation.
- Imagine Mary’s delight and relief on meeting her relatives and visiting her ancestral home.
- What are your thoughts about Mary’s choice to move from comfort to cheap and convenient lodgings?
- How does Mary’s humour, devotion and resilience speak to you in this vingnette?
Mary MacKillop Saint for Australia and the world, pray for us.
Michele Shipperley rsj
Image sources:
[1] Cille Choirille Church and Graveyard by Dave Fergusson obtained from Wikimedia Commons. .
[2] Saint Mary MacKillop commemorative coin obtained from The Perth Mint Australia website.