Thirty years ago in 1995, I found myself in the very privileged role of President of the Australian-New Zealand Federation of Sisters of St Joseph, which was comprised of the diocesan congregations of Perthville, Lochinvar, Goulburn, Tasmania and New Zealand.
Randwick Racecourse in Sydney was the ideal place for Mary MacKillop’s beatification ceremony. On entering the course precinct, the buzz of anticipation and excitement was tangible. Thousands of Australians and people from far beyond filled the venue. There seemed to be instant camaraderie between complete strangers, all with the same reason for being at Randwick that historical day.
To see the Australian Church gathered with Pope John Paul II was so inspiring. The beatification ceremony itself was beautifully and meaningfully organised. The actual words of beatification within the Mass seemed to pass so quickly. When the portrait of Mary MacKillop was rolled down, the Australian Church exploded with love and appreciation for the one who was to be our first Australian canonised saint.
I don’t know if there was any significance in the fact that Sr Mary Cresp and I happened to be our congregation’s representatives on that particular day. With both Mary MacKillop and Fr Julian Tenison Woods having deep devotion to Mary Mother of God, maybe they were making sure her name was not overlooked. History was made that day and Mary’s name is now embedded in both Australian and Church history.
Thirty years on, “What does all this mean?” In retrospect, I see that day as one of the first steps toward Josephite fusion. I suppose Mary’s beatification means different things to different people. Whatever the differences there may be, Saint Mary of the Cross MacKillop is today a saint for all. This is seen at the Mary MacKillop Memorial Chapel in North Sydney.
Along with all Josephites, people from all walks of life, all ages and stages, many claim Mary and honour her. She is the one who has gone before us in faith to plead our cause and guide our way. I pray she does just that as we struggle to interpret our times and move into an unknown future.
Mary O’Dea rsj