The governess who became a saint

For Australia and Australians, a unique event will take place at the Vatican tomorrow. At a ceremony in St Peter’s Square, the first Australian saint will be canonised. Blessed Mary MacKillop will become St Mary of the Cross.

While the process of canonisation is one internal to the Catholic Church, the recognition of Blessed Mary MacKillop as Australia’s first Catholic saint is a landmark event in Australian history. It will undoubtedly generate considerable interest and pride in our country, not only in the Catholic community but also more broadly.

Mary Helen MacKillop was born in Melbourne to Scottish immigrant parents in 1842. As a young girl, Mary went to Penola, South Australia, to take up a position as governess. There she met Fr Julian Tenison Woods with whom she shared a strong commitment to educating the poor. Together, they founded the Sisters of St Joseph of the Sacred Heart, with Mary becoming the first sister and mother superior in 1867. Since her death in 1909, she has attracted a great deal of veneration both in Australia and abroad.

The canonisation recognises the contribution Mary MacKillop made to the betterment of Australian society during her lifetime and her continuing inspiration through the work of the Sisters of St Joseph. Mary MacKillop’s commitment to social justice and human welfare is an inspiration for Australia as it seeks to play a constructive global role.

Several weeks ago, I was approached by Anthony Cutajar, president of the Friends of Australia Association (FOAA), about the possibility of marking the canonisation here in Malta.

I was only too happy to give my support and that of the High Commission. With the cooperation of the Emigrants’ Commission, the FOAA has arranged for this to take place at the usual 9.15 a.m. Mass at St John’s Co-Cathedral, in Valletta tomorrow. Mass will be celebrated by Mgr Philip Calleja, director of the Emigrants’ Commission, and is open to anyone to attend.

The High Commission has procured a portrait of Mother Mary MacKillop that will be displayed in the co-cathedral in accordance with Maltese custom.

Given the devotion of the Maltese people to the saints of the Catholic Church and the strong ties between our two countries based on migration, it is not surprising that there is interest in Malta in the canonisation of the first Australian saint.

Further, I am quite sure that among the many Catholics in Australia who will be celebrating tomorrow, those with roots in Malta will be among the most enthusiastic.

The Australian government is marking the canonisation of Blessed Mary Mackillop in a number of important ways.

The official Australian government delegation to the canonisation will be led by the Foreign Minister, Kevin Rudd. The delegation will be bipartisan and will include the Deputy Leader of the Opposition, Julie Bishop, Senator Barnaby Joyce and Senator Ursula Stephens.

Prime Minister Julia Gillard has announced that the Australian government will provide special legislative protection to control the use of names associated with Mary MacKillop, a gesture which recognises the significance of her canonisation for millions of Australians.

The Prime Minister has also confirmed a government contribution of $1.5 million to assist with community celebrations, including support for a delegation of youth and indigenous representatives attending the canonisation ceremony in Rome.

The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade has implemented a range of measures to provide advice and assistance to Australians travelling to Rome for the ceremony, including publication of a canonisation-specific travel bulletin and the launch of a twitter account for consular updates. The ceremony is open to public participation and an estimated 8,000 Australians are expected to attend.

The Sisters of St Joseph, in conjunction with the Catholic Church in Australia, will be hosting a series of events in Australia and Rome to mark the canonisation. Australia’s embassies to the Holy See and Italy have, over a number of months, assisted the nuns with liaison and planning for Rome-based events associated with the canonisation.

Mr Rudd will attend a number of the events hosted by the Sisters of St Joseph including one showcasing Australia’s indigenous culture, in conjunction with the National Museum of Australia and the Vatican Museums. The Foreign Minister will also attend a vigil presenting Mary’s life in song, drama, prayer and liturgy and a Mass of Thanksgiving celebrated by Australia’s Cardinal George Pell.

Mr Rudd will also officially open the Australian Embassy to the Holy See’s new chancery office near the Vatican.

I am very much looking forward to sharing the occasion with those who will attend Mass at St John’s Co-Cathedral tomorrow and my acknowledgement and thanks go to Mgr Calleja and Chev. Cutajar for taking the initiative to mark this great Australian event in Malta.