Journal of Sacred Work

“Never see a need without doing something about it.”  ~Mary Mackillop

  As All Saint’s Day approaches, I wish to honor Mary Helen MacKillop ( January 18, 1842–August 8, 1909)  a nineteenth century nun who was canonized as Australia's first saint in October, 2010 at the Vatican. I first heard about this remarkable woman by a kindrid spirit,  Sr. Maureen McDermott who is a vibrant Sister of Saint Joseph living a life of Loving service  in Australia.

Sr. Mary was the oldest of eight children. Her parents immigrated from Scotland to Melbourne, Australia and her family experienced a life of poverty.  At an early age Mary became a governess to help support her family. At age18, she moved from Melbourne to a farming town in Penola. It was there she met Fr. Tennison Woods who was troubled by  the lack of education for children.

Sr. Mary felt called by God to serve others and on March 19, 1866, on the feast of  St. Joseph, she and Father Tennison Woods founded the Sisters of  St.  Joseph of the Sacred Heart. This was the first religious order in Australia, whose primary goal was to serve the poor,  sick, elderly and disadvantaged through education. By 1869, over 70 sisters had joined the order and 21 schools were established. The congregation continued to grow as they built schools and taught children throughout Australia and New Zealand. The good works of the Sister’s of  St. Joseph continue to this day. Many are inspired to work in partnership with the Sisters (myself included) to carry on the healing mission of Jesus. This spirit of Love continues to thrive in the hearts, minds and loving hands of caregivers throughout our world.

Also known as Mary of the Cross,  Sr. Mackillop experienced many hardships in life. This included her failing health and resistance from those who opposed her. She faced all adversity with  determined perseverance. However difficult her journey,  Sr. Mary was  in union with God and she offered continual prayers.  Attuned with the Devine,  miracles unfolded in her presence.  Once,  Sr. Mary went to visit a man in jail who was condemned for murder.  This prisoner  was known to act vehemently towards anyone who approached him. Yet,  in Sr.  Mary’s presence he calmed him down, which allowed him to die with dignity and in peace.  In 1961,  a tribunal was set up to examine a dying woman’s claim that she was healed by  Sr.  Mary.  According to Fr.  Renato Simeone,  evidence was examined by medical and legal experts, and by the Consulta Medica of the Congregation for the Causes of Saints. The verdict was unanimous,  the woman was diagnosed  correctly,  she had a poor prognosis and an incurable disease.  Her full recovery defied medical science and 30 years later she was alive and well.

 “The official Vatican Decree for her canonization sums up the meaning of Mother Mary's life: Mary's public achievement is a historical fact in Australia, but for those who knew her personally the most striking thing about her was her kindness. She was a great believer in encouragement, urging people to be kind and united. In everything she said or did,  she showed respect and love for those around her,  making no distinction between the rich, the high-born,  and the influential on the one hand,  and the lowly,  the jailed,  and the outcasts of society on the other.” (Encyclopedia of World Biography)

This reflection is dedicated to another soul of great Love, my brother, John Edward Sorensen born into eternal life on 11/01/2008.

~liz Sorensen Wessel