Mary MacKillop

By emma james bro

  • Mary MacKillop was born.

  • At the age of 14 Mark started working to help provide for her family.

  • Father Woods invited Mary to open a Catholic school in South Australia.

    They opened a school in a stable and taught more than 50 students. At this time, she also began to wear black as a declaration of her dedication to God.

  • Further dedication to the church and education.

    Mary began to wear simple habits and took the name Sister Mary of the Cross. Her and a small group of sisters in Adelaide began working together more, under the name Sisters of St Joseph of the Sacred Heart. They then founded another school which was dedicated to the education of the poor. This was the first religious institue founded in Australia!

  • Another school for the poor (especially in rural areas) was opened by the Mary and her Sisters.

    Over the next two years over 70 members of the Sisters of St Joseph were teaching at 21 schools throught the country, In addition to this Mary and her Sisters worked at an orphanage taking care of poor, neglected children who were in danger and/or suffereing of illness.

  • MacKillop spoke out against a clergyman who had sexually abused children.

    This resulted in her excommunication, which was then lifted the following year.

  • Mary MacKillop passed away.

  • Her cannonisation was announced.

    Her cannonisation was announced.

    It took place on 17 October 2010, and made her the first Australian to be recognised as a saint by the Catholic Church.