FEAST OF SAINT MARY OF THE CROSS MacKILLOP - 8 August
Mary Mackillop was born in Melbourne, Australia on 15 January 1842 and died in Sydney on 8 August 1909. Responding to the isolation of colonial families, she pioneered a new form of religious life to provide education for their children.
Mary MacKillop and her sisters shared the life the poor and itinerant, offering special care to destitute women and children. She is remembered for her eagerness to discover God's will in all things, for her charity in the face of calumny and for her abiding trust in God's providence.
Mary MacKillop was canonised on October 17, 2010 at Saint Peter’s Basilica, Rome. Pope Benedict XVI proclaimed Mary’s sainthood during a Canonisation Mass, in the presence of many thousands of people and streamed live around the world.
St Mary of the Cross MacKillop is Australia's first Saint.