8th August. St. Mary of the Cross MacKillop

[Patron Saint of Australia, Brisbane, Knights of the Southern Cross]

“Mary Helen MacKillop (15 January 1842 - 8 August 1909), also known as Saint Mary of the Cross, was an Australian Roman Catholic nun who, together with Father Julian Tenison Woods, founded the Sisters of St Joseph of the Sacred Heart and a number of schools and welfare institutions throughout Australasia with an emphasis on education for the poor, particularly in country areas. Since her death she has attracted much veneration in Australia and internationally.

On 17 July 2008, Pope Benedict XVI prayed at her tomb during his visit to Sydney for World Youth Day 2008. On 19 December 2009, Pope Benedict XVI approved the Roman Catholic Church's recognition of a second miracle attributed to her intercession. She was canonised on 17 October 2010 during a public ceremony in St Peter's Square at the Vatican. She is the only Australian to be recognised by the Roman Catholic Church as a saint.”  

For us today :-  “Mary inspires us all in the total dedication she had to the welfare of her students – a capacity to go well beyond the extra mile. Our challenge is to adapt and grow to meet the challenges of our time, while being faithful to the timeless Christian values so powerfully lived out by Mary.”   [excerpt by Mike Byrne QCEC 2010]

Holy God, source of all goodness,

You show us in Mary MacKillop, a woman of faith,

Who lived by the power of the cross.

Teach us to embrace what she pioneered: new ways of living the gospel

That respect and defend the human dignity of all in our land.

 Amen