Maltese are urged to celebrate canonisation of Australia’s first saint

The upcoming canonisation of Australia’s first saint, Blessed Mary MacKillop, will strengthen the strong ties between Malta and Australia, according to the Friends of Australia Association.

Together with another five candidates, Blessed Mary MacKillop will be canonised by Pope Benedict XVI in St Peter’s Square in Rome on Sunday.

To mark the occasion in Malta, the Emigrants’ Commission, the Australian High Commission and the Friends of Australia Association will hold Mass at St John’s Co-Cathedral, in Valletta at 9.15 a.m. on Sunday.

Association president Tony Cutajar appealed to the public to attend, especially because of the long-standing links between the two countries. “We thought this was a very special occasion and we wanted to celebrate it,” he said yesterday.

The first parish church dedicated to Blessed Mary MacKillop in Keilor Downs, Melbourne is run by Fr Charles Portelli who was born in Malta and brought up Down Under.

Blessed Mary MacKillop was born in 1846 to Scottish parents who met after they both migrated to Australia. The first of six children, she became a nun and eventually founded the Sisters of St Joseph of the Sacred Heart. She worked hard to help the homeless and hundreds of children from poor families were able to receive an education.

“The recognition of Blessed Mary MacKillop as Australia’s first Catholic saint is a landmark event in Australian history which will generate considerable interest and pride in our country,” Australian High Commissioner Anne Quinane said.

The canonisation recognised the contribution she made to improving Australian society in her lifetime and her continuing inspiration through the work of the Sisters of St Joseph, the High Commissioner said.