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Saint Mary of the Cross MacKillop

An extraordinary journey

Saint Mary of the Cross MacKillop, Australia’s first canonised saint, was an ordinary woman who lived an extraordinary life. As a woman of faith, courage and hope, she overcame many obstacles and challenges to create a legacy that continues to inspire today.

Born in Victoria to Scottish immigrants, she was the eldest of eight children and worked from a young age to support her family. At 24, she devoted her life to God, taking the name ‘Mary of the Cross’.

Together with Fr Julian Tenison Woods, Mary co-founded a school in South Australia to educate poor and underprivileged children. This led to the establishment of Australia’s first religious order, the Sisters of Saint Joseph of the Sacred Heart, who became affectionately known as the “Brown Joeys”. She took her vision for education, especailly for the poor, isolated and underprivileged, establishing dozens of schools throughout Australia and New Zealand.

Dedicated to serving the poor, Mary with her Josephite Sisters went wherever they were needed, living amongst the communities they served. Despite facing fierce opposition, including her excommunication, Mary’s unwavering resolve and determination never faltered.

In 1884 Mary MacKillop and her sisters moved to North Sydney. On 8 August 1909, Mary passed away in Alma Cottage (the Josephite Convent at the time), now the sacred site of Mary MacKillop Place (North Sydney, Australia). She was beatified in 1995 by Pope John Paul II after a second miracle was attributed to her and, on 17 October 2010, Mary MacKillop was canonised as a saint at St Peter’s Basilica, Rome. Her final resting place, the Tomb of Saint Mary of the Cross MacKillop in the Mary MacKillop Memorial Chapel forms part of Mary MacKillop Place and a site of pilgrimage open to all.

LEARN MORE ABOUT ST MARY
FROM THE SISTERS OF ST JOSEPH
LEARN MORE ABOUT FR JULIAN
FROM THE SISTERS OF ST JOSEPH

Her final resting place, the Tomb of Saint Mary of the Cross MacKillop in the Mary MacKillop Memorial Chapel forms part of Mary MacKillop Place and a site of pilgrimage open to all.

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Significant dates in the life and sainthood of Mary MacKillop

The following dates highlight significant milestones that shaped Mary MacKillop’s journey from humble beginnings to becoming Australia’s first saint.

1842
Mary Helen MacKillop was born in Brunswick Street, Fitzroy, Melbourne on 15 January 1842 to Scottish immigrants Flora (nee MacDonald) and Alexander MacKillop. Baptised on 28 January in St Francis’ Church, Lonsdale Street, Melbourne. Mary spent her childhood in Victoria
1860
At 18 years of age Mary moved to the small township of Penola in South Australia to become governess to her Aunt Margaret and Uncle Alexander Cameron's children.

Mary spent her free time doing what she could for the poor, particularly the local Aboriginal children. It was here that she met the local parish priest, Fr Julian Tenison Woods, for the first time.

Mary confides in Fr Julian Woods her deep longing to leave all she loves and live for God alone – he becomes her spiritual director.
1862
Mary returns to her family in Western Victoria and continues her work as a governess.
1863
Mary applies for her first formal teaching position at Portland’s Catholic Denominational School in October.

Mary renews her acquaintance with Fr Julian Woods, who visits Portland. Together they plan for the establishment of his Order.
1864
In order to supplement her income, Mary establishes the Bay View House Seminary for Young Ladies on 3 January, offering board and instruction in a range of subjects, with her sisters Maggie and Lexie acting as supervisors.
1865
Fr Julian Woods asks Mary and her sister Annie to take charge of the new Catholic School at Penola
1866
Mary and Lexie move to Penola in January to help Fr Julian establish a school based on 'purely Catholic principles'.

St Joseph’s School (The Stable School) opens on 19 March, St Joseph’s Day. Mary wears a plain black dress to signify her intention to serve God as a religious sister.
1867
On 21 June, Mary leaves Penola for Adelaide with Sister Rose Cunningham and opens the first convent-cottage in Grote Street, Adelaide. She begins teaching in St Francis Xavier Hall School.

On 15 August, Mary pronounces her religious vows and becomes Sister Mary of the Cross.
1869
In December, Mary and four companions depart Adelaide for Brisbane, where Bishop James Quinn has invited the Sisters of Saint Joseph to make a foundation.

During this difficult time, Mary reflect deeply on the meaning of Josephite religious life and comes of age as a Sister and a leader.
1870
During Mary's absence, troubles begin to brew in Adelaide.
1871
When Mary returns to Adelaide, Father Julian Woods refuses to het her go to the Mother House and instead sends Mary and two Sisters to distant Port Augusta to make a new foundation there.

The Order of the Sisters of Saint Joseph has grown to 127 Sisters and 34 schools in South Australia.

There is growing tension in Adelaide between Bishop Laurence Sheil, Fr Julian and some other priests about the running of the Order

On 3 February the clergy present a submission to the bishop highly critical of the Sisters and Fr Julian. Mary writes to the Bishop on 10 September explaining her position.

On 22 September, Mary is excommunicated and 47 Sisters expelled by Bishop Laurence Sheil.
1872
Bishop Sheil, very ill, removes the excommunication on 23 February and expresses sorrow for being misled by bad advisers.

The Sisters are restored to their habits on 19 March.

In June there is an Episcopal investigation into affairs in Adelaide. Mary and the Sisters are vindicated and Fr Julian Woods is advised to relinquish the direction of the Sisters.
1873
On 28 March, Mary travels to Rome to seek approval of the Rule written by Fr Julian Woods, to establish secure foundations for the Congregation. Mary has a personal audience with Pope Pius IX to present the Rule for examination and revision. A new constitution is finally approved, stating that the Institute must own some property in its own right.
1875
Mary returns home, having travelled via Ireland where she finds fifteen young women willing to accompany her to Australia to become Josephite Sisters.

Mary calls a General Chapter of the Institute whereby the new Constitution is accepted unanimously by the Sisters. Mary is elected Mother General on 19 March.
1881
In May, a large building was purchased by the Sisters in Cumberland Street, The Rocks, Sydney, for 'The Providence' and was a temporary Novitiate.
1882
Mary visits Sydney for six months from December.
1883
On 10 July, a Commission of Enquiry was appointed by Bishop Reynolds in Adelaide to investigate the Institute in South Australia.

On 13 November, The Bishop writes a highly critical letter, expelling Mary from Adelaide.

Mary arrives in Sydney and stays at the Providence, Cumberland Street, The Rocks.
1884
Dean Kenny, a retired priest of North Sydney, offers his home, ‘Alma Cottage’, near Mount Street to Mary to be used as a Novitiate, which opens on 19 March.
1885
The Bishops within Australia did not believe a centrally governed religious Congregation could serve the Australian church adequately and had became powerful opponents of the Constitution of the Sisters of Saint Joseph.

Realising the sisters would not relinquish their central government while Mary MacKillop was at the helm, Archbishop Cardinal Moran appeals to Rome.

On 11 November he returns with the news that Mary is to step down from her position and appoints Mother Bernard as Superior General in her place.
1886
On 30 May, Mary suffered the tragic death of her mother, Flora. who drowned in a shipwreck off near Eden on the NSW South Coast.
1888
Decree from Rome constitutes the Sisters of St Joseph of the Sacred Heart as an approved Regular Congregation with a Mother House in North Sydney. Diocesan congregations are to be distinct from the other and they are to make some alterations to their habit and their Rule.
1889
On 7 October, Fr Julian Woods dies. As a lasting tribute, Mary dedicates the Saint Joseph's chapel at North Sydney to his memory.
1898
On 6 January, Mother Bernard dies and Mary is elected Superior General.
1909
On 8 August, Mary dies in Alma Cottage, Mount Street, North Sydney. A Requiem Mass is celebrated at St Mary’s Parish Church, North Sydney on 11 August and Mary is buried at Gore Hill cemetery.
1913
Building of the Mary MacKillop Memorial Chapel. First Mass celebrated in Chapel on 8 December.
1914
on 28 January, Mary’s remains are transferred from Gore Hill cemetery to the Memorial Chapel. Mary’s remains re-interred in the Tomb on 29 January.
1995
on 19 January, Pope John Paul II declares Mary a Saint at a Beatification Celebration at Randwick in Sydney. Mary is named ‘Blessed Mary MacKillop’.
2010
On 17 October, Pope Benedict XVI declares Mary a Saint in the Universal Church at a Canonisation Celebration in Rome. Mary named ’St Mary of the Cross MacKillop’- Australia’s first Saint.

REFERENCE
‘An Extraordinary Australian: Mary MacKillop’, Paul Gardiner SJ, 2007.
‘Mary MacKillop’ by Osmund Thorpe CP, 1994.
The Sisters of St Joseph website (www.sosj.org.au).
Information correct as at Feb 2016 © Mary MacKillop Place Museum.

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