Scottish Catholic Observer

THOUSANDS of Australians have headed to Rome for Mary MacKillop’s Canonisation this Sunday.

The largest group of Christians ever to leave Australia’s shores for a religious event includes priests, nuns, first-time travellers, families, children and many elderly people on their last overseas trip. However there is also huge interest all over Australia as the continent prepares to celebrate its first ever saint.

Even the tiny South Australian town where she began teaching in a disused stable is marking the event with a range of events.

The town of Penola, where she opened her first school, is planning the biggest ever festivities in its history.

Excitement builds

Claire Larkin, of the Mary MacKillop Penola Centre, says people are preparing themselves spiritually and workers were finishing repairs to buildings that were damaged in a freak tornado several months ago.

“We are all very excited,” Ms Larkin said. “We have got Archbishop (Leonard) Faulkner here this week, so he is doing a Mass in preparation to prepare us spiritually for the big occasion.”

Australia expatriates in the UK are also very much involved. Lyn Newell, deputy headteacher at Maria Fidelis school, Euston, London—whose choir were chosen to sing for Pope Benedict XVI during his recent visit—said she couldn’t wait.

“I come from Sydney where she is buried, I was there just last year,” she said. “For me as an Australian, as a woman and as a Catholic teacher, the Canonisation of Mary McKillop is a very important event. When I look back at her life there are many parallels with the order she founded, the Josephites, and the Faithful Companions of Jesus (who set up Maria Fidelis School).

“An important feature about Catholic education is that we are always striving to serve the poor, looking out for where there is a need. That was what she did. She is an inspiring model, especially for women and for teachers.”

Dr Cheryl Woodcroft a north London GP originally from Australia said that the news of the Canonisation was a major event for all Australians—not just Catholics.

“Mary MacKillop was a remarkable person,” she said. “She provides an example of how to live a life of real calling and discernment and I find that personally inspiring.

“She was clearly a woman strong in her Faith, who met the forces of the Church hierarchy with that Faith in Christ that led her to want to help those in need.

“She dared to be different, and true to her vision— reminding me of Mary Ward here in England 400 years ago.”

Protecting the name

Back in Australia the government has slapped tight restrictions on companies using the name Mary MacKillop, as interest soars ahead of her Canonisation.

Prime Minister Julia Gillard said companies will be banned from using names associated with the pioneering nun and educator, who will complete her journey to sainthood on Sunday, unless they have government approval.

“The decision to grant additional protections reflects the significance of the Canonisation of Mary MacKillop for millions of Australians,” Ms Gillard said in a statement.

The new measure gives Mary MacKillop’s name the highest level of protection provided for any individual Australian, a measure that previously only applied to celebrated late cricketer Donald Bradman.

Using ‘Mary MacKillop,’ ‘Saint MacKillop’ or even ‘Our Mary’ may fall foul of the restrictions, depending on the restrictions, depending on the individual case.