Mary MacKillop

Mary Helen MacKillop (January 15, 1842 – August 8, 1909) is now known as Saint Mary of the Cross, Australia's first canonized Roman Catholic saint. She was a teacher and mother superior, along with Father Julian Woods created the Sisters of St Joseph of the Sacred Heart convent. This would be the first religious order to be founded by an Australian. In a short period of time she would open 17 new schools. The nuns in her convent were called Josephites. In a spat with the Bishop in Adelaide, she would be excommunicated. She would be reinstated to the Church a year later and an Episcopal Commission completely exonerated her. By the time of her death there were more than 40 Josephite schools across Australia.

January 19, 1995, Mary MacKillop was beatified by Pope John Paul II. October 17, 2010, she was canonized a saint by Pope Benedict XVI.

## Quotes[edit]

* "Value your crosses as the most precious presents from a good and loving God"

## External links[edit]

* Saint Mary MacKillop's website
* Facebook page
* Twitter page