By Kath Gannaway
STUDENTS from the Yarra Valley’s two Catholic primary schools will join the thousands of people expected to take part in festivities celebrating the canonisation of Australia’s first saint, Mary MacKillop in Melbourne on Sunday.
Both St Brigid’s at Healesville and St Joseph’s at Yarra Junction were started by the Josephites, an order co-founded by the young Melbourne-born woman.
Mary MacKillop became the first Sister, and Mother Superior of the newly formed Order of the Sisters of St Joseph in 1867.
She died on 8 August 1909 and was beatified by Pope John Paul II in 1995.
In an invitation to all Australians to join the celebrations, the Josephite nuns and the Catholic Archdiocese of Melbourne described Mary MacKillop as “a saint for all Australians; a remarkable woman who embodied heroic goodness and saintliness in an Australian way”.
The Josephite nuns no longer teach at either school, but Mary MacKillop remains very much an inspiration for today’s students who have been learning about her remarkable life.
St Brigid’s students Sam, Emily, Holly, Ally and James spoke of the qualities she stood for – charity, chastity, peace, wisdom, gentleness, generosity and hope.
Reflecting on what it takes to become a saint, Sam said being a good person and having performed two miracles were important. “But, I think sometimes you just need to be kind,” he said.
“The idea was she could teach poor people who didn’t have any money for education,” James said.
Ally’s contribution “If you help other people it will eventually come back to you,” resonated with James who also though patience was one of the virtues necessary for sainthood.
“ … a hundred years after you’re gone,” he added!
In an exciting lead-up to the canonisation in Rome, next week is Mary MacKillop Week at the schools which have a very special connection with Australia’s first saint.
For information and details of the Melbourne celebrations visit www.cam.org.au/mackillop
