Meet Mary

Who Was Mary MacKillop?

Mary MacKillop was an ordinary woman who led an extraordinary life. Born on 15 January 1842 in Fitzroy, Melbourne, to Scottish immigrants Alexander and Flora MacKillop, she grew up to become one of Australia's most inspiring figures. Mary passed away in North Sydney on 8 August 1909.

A Daughter and a Breadwinner

Mary’s parents, Alexander and Flora, hailed from the Braes of Lochaber in Scotland. Alexander had studied for the priesthood in Rome and Scotland before migrating to Australia, where he married Flora McDonald. Mary, their first child, was born at home in Brunswick Street, Fitzroy, and baptised Maria Ellen on 28 February 1842.

The MacKillop family's fortunes fluctuated, with Alexander struggling in business and later with ventures in gold mining and politics. Despite these challenges, Alexander and Flora instilled in their children a deep faith and respect for education. However, Alexander’s financial instability often left the family reliant on the support of extended Highland relatives and friends. As the eldest child, Mary became the primary breadwinner, supporting her parents and siblings.

Early Work and Aspirations

Mary began her working life behind the counter of a Melbourne stationery store before becoming a governess to support her family. This role took her to Penola, South Australia, where she worked for her aunt and uncle, Margaret and Alexander Cameron. By the age of 18, Mary had developed a strong sense of responsibility and a desire to help others. She felt a calling to become a nun to better serve the disadvantaged.

Mary’s return to Victoria saw her take up teaching roles and start a boarding school called the Bay View Seminary for Young Ladies to supplement her income. However, the venture was not financially successful. Her father’s contentious involvement in her career led to the loss of her teaching position at a denominational school.

Establishing the Sisters of St. Joseph

Mary MacKillop and Father Julian Tenison Woods envisioned a revolutionary approach to religious education and service in the Australian bush, inspired by French village convents where small communities of nuns lived among and served local populations. Their vision adapted this model to the rugged South Australian conditions, where scattered families and a lack of formal education left many children with little knowledge of faith or basic schooling. This was an ambitious departure from the traditional enclosed convents that catered to the daughters of the wealthy, and it was the first initiative of its kind in South Australia.

In 1866, when the Penola Parish school faced staffing challenges, Mary and her sister Lexie were called from Portland. Mary, now intent on dedicating her life as a nun, arrived with a deep commitment to the mission. At Bishop Sheil’s visit to Penola, Mary was presented as a teacher, wearing a simple black dress symbolising her vocation. The bishop blessed her, naming her "Sister Mary," to the delight of both her and Woods. Soon after, other young women joined this fledgling community, drawn by its promise of a simple life dedicated to education and service.

Expansion in Adelaide and Beyond

The first Josephite community was established in Adelaide later in 1867, with Mary and a fellow recruit setting up in a small cottage offered by an Irish schoolmistress, Josephine MacMullen, who also joined their efforts. Following the bishop’s sanction, Mary formally professed her vows in August of that year, and the Sisters of St. Joseph began their work in earnest. Their first school opened in St. Francis Xavier’s Cathedral hall, quickly gaining popularity as parents recognised the quality and values of the education provided. The sisters not only taught academics but also integrated prayers, hymns, and moral guidance into daily lessons.

To address the needs of impoverished families, the Sisters also found clothing for children whose parents could not afford proper school attire. In their spare time, they escorted students home to protect them from ridicule or temptation in the streets. Their efforts extended beyond education to support orphans and the homeless, laying the foundation for a comprehensive system of care.

Within three years of their modest beginnings in Penola, the Sisters of St. Joseph had grown to 80 members, staffing 30 schools across South Australia and working in orphanages and homes for the homeless in Adelaide. Father Woods oversaw their spiritual and operational direction, writing textbooks and replacing ineffective parish school staff with Josephite Sisters. Yet it was Mary’s leadership, compassion, and organisational skills that sustained the rapid expansion.

Mary’s Leadership and Legacy

Mary MacKillop's personal and spiritual growth during this time is evident in her letters to her family and her calm, capable dealings with clergy, sisters, children, and parishioners. Her leadership balanced deep faith with pragmatic solutions. She remained empathetic but direct, as seen in her measured response to her father’s death in 1868: “I am sure that you cannot regard Papa’s death as a trial.”

Mary also maintained a clear perspective in internal matters. When some Sisters in Adelaide claimed mystical experiences to impress Father Woods, Mary’s pragmatic approach upheld discipline and trust without encouraging undue attention to sensational claims.

By combining compassion, humility, and vision, Mary MacKillop transformed the Sisters of St. Joseph from a small experiment into a vital force for education and social care in South Australia. Her ability to lead during rapid growth while maintaining a focus on the mission’s core values laid a strong foundation for the enduring legacy of the Josephites.

Challenges in Brisbane and Adelaide

In Brisbane, the Sisters faced considerable opposition, particularly from the Vicar-General, Dr. Cani, who was reportedly acting under the instructions of Bishop Quinn. Dr. Cani's treatment of the Sisters was repressive, denying them regular access to Mass and sacraments, and pressuring them to operate their school with government assistance. Despite this, Sister Mary remained resolute. While expressing respect for Dr. Cani's position, she steadfastly adhered to the rule she and the Sisters had vowed to follow. Her commitment was evident in her daily duties—teaching in the classroom, tending to housework, and visiting the sick and destitute. She kept Father Woods informed of their hardships, but her letters reveal a remarkable capacity to acknowledge the deceit and harshness of those in authority, while still excusing their actions and attributing noble motives. This ability to navigate such difficult circumstances with grace exemplified her saintly character.

Meanwhile, in Adelaide, turmoil persisted. Upon the bishop’s return from the abrupt end of the First Vatican Council in 1871, he initially expressed enthusiasm about the expansion of the Sisters of St. Joseph. However, under the influence of a Franciscan priest, he soon turned against the order. The bishop attempted to alter the rule and structure of the community, culminating in an attempt to disband the order and excommunicate Sister Mary for alleged 'disobedience.' When Sister Mary returned to Adelaide that year, she found the community in disarray. Through this period of intense difficulty, she maintained a quiet resolve, knowing that eventually, Bishop Sheil would recognise the injustice of his actions. In the months that followed, he repented and reinstated Sister Mary and the Sisters who had been displaced. Shortly after, Bishop Sheil passed away.

Mother Mary: Leadership, Loyalty, and Legacy

Despite Mary’s efforts to establish autonomy for the Sisters of St. Joseph, the Quinn brothers continued to push for convents in their dioceses that would be fully under their control, bypassing the centralised governance system led by the Mother General. In response to Roman directives, Mary convened a representative gathering in Adelaide, which elected her as the first Mother General. After unsuccessful negotiations with the bishops, she withdrew the sisters from their dioceses, following the counsel of Bishop Reynolds.

When Bishop Reynolds also turned against them, Mary was compelled to leave South Australia. She found support in Archbishop Vaughn of Sydney, allowing her to establish the Mother House and novitiate in Sydney. Throughout these challenges, her respect for ecclesiastical authority remained evident, with her letters consistently reflecting her reliance on advice from Father Tappeiner and her Roman advisors. Despite the difficulties, Mary’s leadership was marked by a spirit of collaboration rather than authoritarianism. She remained “first among equals,” never asserting her special position but leading through shared devotion and mutual respect.

Her devotion to Father Julian Woods, although no longer their director, remained steadfast. Despite his later views on her actions, Mary continuously reminded the sisters of their gratitude and loyalty to him. As Woods became a travelling missionary, Mary assumed the role of acknowledged leader of the congregation they had founded.

By the turn of the century, Josephite convents, schools, and institutions had expanded far beyond South Australia, with foundations in New South Wales, Tasmania, Western Australia, New Zealand, and other regions. Mary’s leadership was crucial in holding these distant communities together, demanding an immense output of correspondence and personal visits. Despite her ongoing health struggles, she visited convents, responded to emergencies, and ensured the continued growth of the order.

Mary’s time in New Zealand in 1902, seeking relief for her rheumatism, marked the beginning of her physical decline with a stroke. However, she adapted, learning to write with her left hand and beginning the publication of the Garland of Saint Joseph, a Josephite journal. Her health continued to deteriorate, but she remained dedicated to the mission. In 1905, she celebrated the completion of the Kensington convent in Adelaide and reunited with lifelong friends.

By the end of her life, the title Sister Mary of the Cross took on deeper meaning as Mary faced increasing illness and pain. Accusations of intemperance within her community only added to her suffering, yet she continued her work. Confined to a wheelchair, she passed away on 8 August 1909. Initially buried in Gore Hill Cemetery, her remains were later transferred to the chapel of the Mother House in North Sydney, with a simple memorial slab donated by Joanna Barr-Smith. In 1993, her final resting place was moved to a dignified shrine within the chapel alcove, marking the enduring legacy of her leadership, faith, and loyalty.

Saint Mary in Contemporary Australia

St. Mary of the Cross MacKillop's life and legacy continue to have a profound impact on contemporary Australia. Her pioneering work in Catholic education established the foundation for a robust educational system that still serves students from diverse backgrounds across the nation. Her commitment to social justice and the care of the marginalised continues to inspire individuals and organisations dedicated to creating a fairer, more compassionate society. As a female religious leader, she broke societal norms, empowering women and showing them they could lead in both the Church and society.

Her canonisation as Australia's first saint marked a significant moment in the nation's history, reinforcing the values of perseverance, compassion, and social justice that define Australian identity. Her life fosters interfaith dialogue and unity, transcending religious boundaries and encouraging collaboration for the common good. St. Mary MacKillop's legacy is also honoured through significant cultural and religious tourism, with her tomb in North Sydney becoming a place of pilgrimage for many.

Her lasting influence can be seen throughout Australian life, from institutions and public spaces named in her honour, like the Mary MacKillop Rose and the MacKillop electoral district, to commemorative artworks and cultural productions.

The continued recognition of her contributions, including in the form of commemorative coins, statues, and music, reflects the deep respect and admiration Australians have for her. St. Mary MacKillop's life remains a testament to the transformative power of faith, social justice, and selfless service, inspiring future generations to uphold her values of love, service, and compassion.