Saint Mary MacKillop

Mary MacKillop was born in Melbourne on 15 January 1842. Daughter of Alexander and Flora MacKillop (nee Macdonald), Alexander was studying for the priesthood in Rome, but left before he was ordained. Flora and Alexander arrived in Melbourne from Scotland in 1840.

Mary was the eldest of eight children. Her siblings were, Margaret (Maggie) 1843-1872, John 1845-1867, Annie 1848-1929, Alexandrina (Lexie) 1850-1882, Donald 1853-1925, Alick who died only 11 months old and Peter 1857-1878. A spiritual vocation would run in the family as Donald was to become a Jesuit Priest. Rev. D MacKillop worked at Hawthorn and at Richmond and Lexie became a Nun attaining the position of Mistress of novices at the convent of the Good Shepherd in Abbotsford. Mary was educated at private schools and by her father at home.

Mary's first job was in Melbourne at age 14 as a clerk for Sands and Kenny Stationers. In 1860, Mary became a governess for her Aunt Margaret and Uncle Alexander Cameron who lived at Penola in South Australia. She was employed to teach and care for their children, but Mary was keen to help the poor wherever she could, so she included other children from the Cameron estate as well.

Mary met Father Julian Edmund Tenison Woods, who was the priest at the local catholic church. Fr Woods was concerned about not having Catholic Education in South Australia. He invited Mary and two of her sisters to join him in opening a local catholic school. St Joseph's school, Penola would begin in an old stable. Mary's brother was instrumental in making the stable comfortable for Mary and the children.

Mary died on 8 August 1909 at Mount Street, North Sydney, aged 67, after a stroke suffered seven years previously. Her health greatly deteriorated and she spent much of this time as an invalid. It was Mother Laurence, mother superior of the Sisters of St Joseph who started to apply for Mary to be canonized as a saint.

Mary was buried in Gore Hill Cemetery in Sydney. A memorial marks the spot where she once lay. In 1914, her body was exhumed and moved to the newly built chapel in the grounds of the convent at North Sydney. The chapel began construction in 1913 at the request of Mother Baptista Molloy in memory of Mary MacKillop. Mary's tomb is now located in the orginal vestry of the chapel. Thousands of Catholics have visited Mary's final resting place.