Mary MacKillop: An Inspiration for Faith in Action
August 7, 2024
As we celebrate the feast of Saint Mary MacKillop, we reflect upon her extraordinary life and enduring legacy, her beacon of faith, resilience, and compassion. Mary’s story is not just a chapter for the archives of Australian history, but a living testament to the transformative power of the Gospel and a source of inspiration for us all in the present day.
Mary’s dedication to the Gospel was not merely theoretical, it was vividly practical. She journeyed across the vast and often inhospitable terrains of Australia to establish schools, ensuring compassionate and holistic education reached children who needed it the most. Her work was not confined by the boundaries of religion or socio-economic status, it was driven by a profound belief in the inherent dignity of every human being.
Mary embraced the teachings of Jesus with a radical love and an unyielding commitment to social justice. In a time when women were often placed on the peripheries of society, she stood as a leader, a reformer, and a visionary. Her famous words, “Never see a need without doing something about it”, encapsulate her proactive and compassionate approach to life.
In today’s contemporary world, Mary’s example is more relevant than ever. We live in a time marked by profound inequalities, social injustices, and the dire need for compassionate leadership. Her life teaches us the importance of advocating for the marginalised and working tirelessly to create a more just and equitable society.
Mary MacKillop’s Legacy in our Schools
Mary MacKillop left a striking example for school leaders today. Perhaps the greatest legacies for our schools are a willingness to act – inspired by the signs of the times, to see God in the communities we walk with, and a Holy Spirit enthused passion for authentic equity.
Mary modelled witness and vision as an Australian, creating an education system for the Australia of her time. In presenting her case to Rome for approval of her Sisterhood in 1873, Mary had argued her case on the premise that ‘It is an Australian who writes this…’. We shouldn’t underplay the significance. Australia at that time was dominated by an Anglo-Irish Catholic clergy and she was writing to an Italian born Pope. She understood and articulated the power of education in overcoming the poverty and challenges of the isolated harshness of the Australian outback, just as well as she understood the role of her sisters in supporting the marginalised in bustling colonial cities. Her legacy to us as Josephite educators is to similarly sense the challenges of our communities and walk alongside them in their battles.
Honouring St Mary of the Cross MacKillop: A Legacy of Mission and Compassion
As we approach the feast day of Saint Mary of the Cross MacKillop, we are reminded of the profound impact of her mission to serve. Mary’s life and work continue to inspire us to accompany the marginalised, echoing her commitment to see the face of Christ in every person.
On the occasion of Mary’s feast this year, we find ourselves in the throes of the Paris Olympics, marvelling at the feats of endurance and skill of so many of our athletes. Those who win gold and all others who qualified for this international event, are regarded as heroes/heroines who epitomise the Australian spirit of working hard and doing their best for things they truly believe in. While training they put other aspects of their lives aside, sometimes receiving criticism and derision for their dedication. They seek advice and strategies about the best ways to perform their chosen sport, and they practise the same activities over and over, even under adverse conditions, to be able to give their best when it matters.
Saint Mary MacKillop Feast Day 2024
The month of August gives us a special opportunity to focus on the life of Saint Mary MacKillop as we celebrate her feast day on 8 August. All around Australia and beyond, people will be gathering to celebrate the gift of this woman of faith to our Church and our world. A special place of pilgrimage will be at Mary MacKillop Place, North Sydney, where Mary’s tomb is located. There will be a Mass celebrating the feast of Mary at 10:00am AEST which will be live streamed here.
This feast day we give thanks for Mary MacKillop’s ongoing commitment to the ongoing spiritual and faith development of children and their families. Mary MacKillop’s faith in and service of God were unceasing. Her deep faith in her good God enabled Mary to walk in and through the many obstacles she faced with confidence, hope and perseverance. Mary acknowledged that the presence of God seemed to follow her everywhere and made everything she did and said a prayer. She had that wonderful capacity to find God in both the messiness of life as well as in moments of joy.
Mary MacKillop Feast Day Celebrations 2024
July 25, 2024Mary MacKillop Place, the Sisters of Saint Joseph and Mary MacKillop Today extend a warm invitation to all to celebrate the Feast Day of Saint Mary of the Cross MacKillop on Thursday, 8 August 2024.
We look forward to welcoming everyone, including our pilgrims and supporters, to Mary MacKillop Place in North Sydney.
The spirit of Mary MacKillop burns strongly in Timor-Leste
July 4, 2024
If one was to try to summarise the spirit of Mary MacKillop, we could possibly say that it is a spirit that is compassionate, one that uses education to “heal, include, untether, set right and serve”, one that loves not only those being ministered to, but also those who work beside us, and one that automatically acts on seen needs. This spirit is alive and pumping in Mary MacKillop Today (MMT), especially in the Timor-Leste region.
Returning to Rome, 150 Years Later
July 3, 2024
Mary MacKillop left Rome in 1874 and I returned there 150 years later in 2024. I had only visited Rome once in 2010 for Mary’s Canonisation and was unable at that time to make the pilgrimage of her travels in Rome. I had Mary and her journey in my consciousness as I navigated modern day Rome.
So many times during my 15-day visit, I drew comparisons between Mary’s Rome and my Rome experience. So many things would have looked pretty much the same and so many other things, no doubt, unrecognisable to Mary. I was sitting on a train from Florence that was doing 250km an hour remembering that it took Mary 45 days by boat and then train to even get to Rome. I had gone and come back home in less than that time frame!
On arriving in Rome, I had a data pack on my phone to use Google Maps to get me to the Metro, to get to the monastery which I had pre-booked online and had used WhatsApp to communicate about my arrival time! And if all that had failed, I had a credit card and Uber account to get wherever I wanted to go. And of course, the greatest asset when not being able to speak other languages – Google translate on my phone! Seemingly all too easy in contrast to Mary’s journey.
At home among the poor
May 8, 2024
On 31 May 1867, Father Julian Tenison Woods sent to Mary MacKillop the first Rule of the Sisters of Saint Joseph. This became the founding document, encapsulating the vision for the order and providing the Sisters with important guidelines for their ministry.
It had arrived! Here was the fruit of their discussions. Sister Mary MacKillop opened it carefully, her heart filling with joy as she read Father Julian Tenison Woods’ words in his letter of 31 May 1867:
Dear Sister Mary
I enclose the Rule. You must without delay copy it out into a small neat book, smaller than this note paper, and written only on one side and enclose it back to me.