Those going to World Youth Day in Sydney will have heard this name numerous times but who is she and why is she one of the World Youth Day 2008 Patrons? Importantly, what can we learn from her example of Christian Witness?

Mary Mackillop was born in Fizroy, Melbourne on 15 January 1842. She was the eldest daughter of Alexander and Flora and was one of seven siblings. Alexander her father was sadly never successful in his work and resulted in the family living a poor and uneducated life. Mary brought it upon herself to start working at the age of fourteen as a clerk in Melbourne and later as a teacher in Portland. To provide for her needy family she took up a position as governess in 1860 at her Aunt and Uncle's home in Penola, South Australia. It was there that she was looked after their children and taught them.

Blessed Mary Mackillop has been known for her tireless work and service to the poor and sick across Australia and New Zealand. When a Father Julian Tennyson Woods met Mary in 1861 he was left inspired by her love and yearning to serve God. They shared a common belief between them, unheard of in that time, that Catholic education ought to be accessible not only to a select few but to all children.

With Fr. Julian, Mary in 1867 became a co-founder of the Sisters of St. Joseph and she was to be the first Sister and Mother Superior of the order. Their primary work was educating the young paying particular attention to religious knowledge and practice. She worked in service to Christ and His Church throughout Australia and New Zealand; riding on horseback from place to place through Penola, Adelaide, the outback and finally Sydney. She cared for a neglected Aboriginal girl at Penola, travelled through the night to be with a dying sister at Port Augusta and braved a stormy water crossing at Kincumber to reach a dying child.

In 1995 on the occasion of his Apostolic visit to Australia, Pope John Paul the Great beatified Mary Mackillop entrusting to her the title of Blessed, one of the first steps towards sainthood. When canonised she will become Australia’s first saint.

In the light of the theme of WYD08, “You will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you and you will be my witnesses” let us ask for Blessed Mary Mackillop’s intercession in our lives so that we too may see the face of Christ in each person we meet, whether travelling to Australia or not, and that we may have a heart which truly yearns to serve God despite the possibility of being called to difficult tasks. May her example of dedication to the family be an example and inspiration to us all to love and care for our own families in the multitude of different needs which each of our families has.

Blessed Mary Mackillop, pray for us.

-Shaun Bailham-