The influence of Mary Mackillop as the first Australian saint has developed Catholicism through important events and issues. Mary was born on the 15th January 1842 and was the eldest of eight children. Throughout her early life, she experienced several challenges that influenced her pathway to Catholicism. With the guidance and inspiration of church figures such as Father Woods, Mary soon followed her vocation. Significant events associated with her life, such as the Josephites, the Rule of Life and travelling continued to shape her upbringing.
Through the influence of teaching and her religious calling, Mary developed Catholicism throughout Australia. Certain issues which includes her excommunication and loss of loved ones throughout her journey contributed towards her life decisions. These challenges influenced Mary’s morals and willingness to follow God. Through heartache and pain, she always discovered that God was the answer. As the first Australian saint Mary has certainly influenced others. Her undying passion and faith in God contributed towards her vocation which inspired others.
From birth till death, Mary has been a significant figure in the church’s history by finding happiness in God through helping others. Mary Mackillop’s early life has influenced her pathway to catholicism. As the eldest of eight children to Alexander Mackillop and Flora MacDonald, she was well educated. However, with a lack of financial support, she was forced to earn a living at 16 which she greatly supported her family with. Mary met Father Julian Tension Woods whilst working as a governess for her uncle’s children, he offered her a position to help in the religious education of children in the outback.
Unfortunately, her family relied on her income which disabled Mary to follow her vocation. Luckily, in 1866 through the inspiration and encouragement of Father Woods, Mary established the first Saint Joseph’s School in a disused stable in Penola. The Congregation of the Sisters of St Joseph resulted after a year of its opening whereby young women came to join Mary. Their main devotion was to teach the poor and during 1867 Mary was asked by Bishop Shiel to start a school in Adelaide. This opportunity enabled the Sisters to spread across Australia in Adelaide and Sydney.
Along with other Religious Orders, Mary and the Sisters had a profound interest and influence on forming catholic education. She significantly contributed towards the development of orphanages, providences cater for the homeless which includes young and old, and refuges for exprisoners and ex- prostitutes who wanted a fresh start. Throughout her life, Mary was often opposed by people outside the Church and sometimes inside. However, she refused to attack those who wrongly accused her, but believed God was calling her and was ready to forgive.
These certain events have contributed towards her pathway to catholicism whereby she continues to inspire others, as stated “Never see a need without doing something about it”. Her early years clearly display the significant impact she has made as the first Australian saint. Significant events associated with her life continued to shape her vocation. Establishing the religious order of nuns alongside Father Woods, Mary was deemed as ‘Mother Superior’ and took her religious vows on August 15, 1867. During 1873 Mary traveled to Rome for a personal audience with Pope Pius IX to obtain papal approval for the Sisterhood.
Father Woods composed a more formal rule of life for Mary and those who joined her community in Adelaide whereby Bishop Shiel signed it. He was asked by Bishop Quinn to give those a Rule which would establish them as a diocesan community under his control; he complied by simply repeating his original rule. However, the ‘Rule of Life’ Father Woods sat down was discarded, which enabled another to be drawn up. This caused a breach between himself and Mary Mackillop. Father Fauvel had a great devotion to St Joseph and dedicated his parish to this great saint.
After gaining permission from the Bishop of Wellington, he requested that the Sisters open a school in Temuka, New Zealand. This established their first foundation in New Zealand and enabled their expansion during 1883. “|| believe the Sisters are destined by God with the help of their beloved father, to do a great deal of good in this part of New Zealand” Father Fauvel stated. However, Bishop Reynolds dismissed Mary in Adelaide over accusations that she was an alcoholic. She simply drank brandy to relieve very severe menstrual pain, she then moved to Sydney.
During 1888 a decree from Rome declared that the Sisters of St Joseph of the Sacred Heart was approved regular congregation with a Mother House in Sydney. Some alternations were made to make the Sister’s rule distinct from others which continued their development, reaching out to communities globally. Throughout her journey, certain issues have influenced Mary’s life. In particular, her excommunication enabled her to become stronger and to realise her vocation. During 1870 the Sisters heard allegations that Father Patrick Keating of the Kapunda parish had sexually abused children.
This was reported to the Vicar General Father John Smyth, who sent Father Keating to Ireland. However, the coverup explained his return was due to alcohol abuse. Sadly, he continued as a priest in Ireland whereby he was not punished. Father Charles Horan, a former partner of Keating, was angered by his removal and sought retribution on Father Woods, Mary, and the Sisters. After the death of Father Smyth, Father Horan from his position of power convinced Bishop Shiel to change the Josephites’ rule. When Mary did not accede to the request, Shiel excommunicated her ublicly citing insubordination as the reason. Her excommunication was a severe sanction which showed her character and strength. While the Josephites were not officially disbanded most of the schools were closed. Shortly, before Shiel’s death, he instructed Father Hughs to lift the censure on Mary on 23 February 1872. Later an Episcopal Commission exonerated her. Throughout her journey, she endured great suffering and loss. Many diocesan bishops were unhappy with the Sisters working in their diocese because they were under a different Church authority.
The bishops threatened to throw them out unless they accepted their authority despite the ruling in Rome. Through the hardships of her mothers’ death, she was constantly battling to keep her congregation’s educational works. A few years later, Mary lost another loved one; Father Woods. He was a good friend that spiritually guided and helped to spark Mary’s life of charity and faith. ” Remember, we are all but travellers here”, she declared. Often sending messages of support and strength to Sisters, advocating the need for constant faith in God, Mary inspired many to follow Christ.
As the first Australian saint Mary has certainly influenced others. Blessed Mary Mackillop is one of Australia’s most remarkable and inspiring women. The power of her inspiration is clearly visible as demonstrated by the large crowds who flock to visit her tomb in North Sydney. Most visitors come because they seek Mary’s intercession as they believe she will ask for God’s assistance on their behalf. People come to the chapel and find the peace & spiritual strength to deal with life’s difficulties.
Others long for the kind of love Mary showed due to her forgiving nature towards those who treated her so unjustly. It was clearly evident that people recognised that she was a holy person and from that time onwards, the faithful has never ceased to regard her as a saint. Therefore, her official declaration as a saint influenced others to believe in her as the first Australian saint. The Sisters are inspired by the devotion and pure love that Mary demonstrated her commitment to improving the lives of those less fortunate such as building providences for the poor in South Australia .
Mary’s beatification involved a process that included an examination of her writings, stories, and testimony concerning her reputation for holiness. After this act, permission was given to formally introduce the cause for beatification in May 1973, whereby she received the title ‘Servant of God’. After the examination of 2 Decrees in 1993 and 1992, Mary now had the title ‘Venerable’. The recommendation was made to the Holy Father who then decided her beatification in Sydney on January 19, 1995.
In April 2008, the documents pertaining to a remarkable cure of a woman with inoperable cancer were delivered under seal to the Congregation for the Causes of Saints. After close scrutiny of this case and examination by the Medical Board and theologians, the cardinals and bishops recommended to Pope Benedict XVI. that this was a miracle. He approved on December 19, 2009, and Mary’s canonisation occurred on 17 October 2010 in Rome. Her legacy lives on today as depicted” Be a gift of love and compassion for one another”, which is displayed through the actions of the foundation.
Through significant events and issues, Mary Mackillop has developed Catholicism as the first Australian Saint. Her contribution towards the church’s history has declared her as a significant figure which continues to inspire others. Mary’s early life has influenced her pathway to Catholicism through her upbringing. From a young age, her family depended on her in order to support them financially. Putting her family first she could not pursue her vocation. Significant events associated with Mary’s life shaped her upbringing and led her to become one of the most influential individuals in the church.
With the encouragement and inspiration of loved ones, Mary soon followed her life calling. Certain issues such as her excommunication have influenced her life choices. Always turning to God and proclaiming that revenge was not the solution, Mary was a vocal advocate of his message. As the first Australian saint Mary has and continues to influence and inspire others through forgiving others and helping those in need. Through her morals and attitudes, she conveys the message ‘Find happiness in making others happy’.