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Birth
Mary was in Brunswick St, Fitzroy, Melbourne Vic.. Her parents were Flora MacDonald and Alexander MacKillop (Scottish migrants) Mary was the first of their 8 children. -
Period: to
Birth - Canonisation
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Period: to
Marys life Birth - Death
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Baptism
Mary was baptised Maria Ellen Mackillp on at St Francis Church Melbourne. She was however known as MARY throughout her life. -
First Holy Communion
Mary made her first communion at the age of 8. -
First Job
When Mary was 14 she started a job as a clerk in a shop to help and earn money for her family that was in need. -
Meets Fr. Julian Woods
At 18 yrs old Mary takes a job as a Governess to the Cameron children at Penola Homestead SA.She was to look after the children and teach them. She included other poor and farm children as well.She meets Fr Julian Woods . -
First teaching job
Mary accepted a paid teaching job at Portland, VIC and then was at a Cathoilc Demonstration School.
She opened her own boarding school, Bayveiw House. -
Stable school started
Mary and Fr. Julian Woods set up a school in a disused stable in Penola, SA. It was Australia's first free Catholic school. -
Sisters of St Joseph formed.
During 1867 Mary became the first sister and mother superior of the newly formed ORDER OF THE SISTERS OF ST. JOSEPH OF THE SACRET HEART which were dedicated to helping children of the poor.
Mary went to Adelaide and opened the first convent in Grote St, Adelaide. -
Final Vows
15 August at age 25 Mary takes religious vows to become a nun and takes the name "Mary of the Cross" -
Many religious schools established
By 1869 ,21 religious school were established in Adelaide and country SA.There were more than 70 sisters of St. Joseph
Mary leaves for Brisbane to establish the order in Queensland. -
Opposition grows
Opposition to the Sisters grew over the issues of who was in charge of them and their refusal to accept government grants for education and vow of poverty. -
Excommunicated
Mary is wrongly excommunicated by Bishop Sheil, who was aaginst most of the things Mary fought for and belived Mary lead the sisters in disobeadiencce and defiance. -
Excommunication order removed
Excommunication order removed 23 February by Bishop Sheil shortly before his death. -
Mary travels to Rome
Mary travels to Rome to have the Rules of the sisters of St Jospeh officially approved and get support for her order and for the work that it does. -
Travels in Europe
While Mary was in Europe she observed the latest teaching methods and was looking for new candidates to become sisters. -
Mary returns from Rome
Mary returns with materials for her schools and she also came back with 15 Irish Josephites nuns. Mary also bought back approval from Rome for her order and she became the first Superior General of the Joshephites. -
Trouble with the bishops
Between 1876 - 1883 Mary and her sisters were asked to leave three different dioceses - Bathurst in 1876, Brisbane in 1879 and Adelaide in 1883. This was because Mary insisted that the sisters rule themselves, and not be ruled by the Bishops. -
Removed from office
Mary is removed from Superior General by Bishop Reynolds as he tried to bring the Josephites under his control. She continues to support the sisters. -
Travels to New zealand
Mary travels to New zealand, where she founded another order and she lives here for 3 years. -
Suffers stroke
Mary suffers a stroke while visiting New Zzealnd. Mary is now paralysed on her right side of her body and she had to rely on a wheelchair.Mary still continues her role as Superior General and supports the work of the sisters even when unwell. -
Death
Mary dies 8 August at Mount St, North Sydney and is buried in Gore Hill Cemetery. -
Memorial Chapel
After Mary's burial, people continually took earth from around her gravesite so her remains were exhumed and transferred.The were placedin a vault before the altar of the Virgin Mary in the newly built memorial chapel in Mount Street, Sydney. -
Canonisation process begins
Process for Canonisation begins. Postponed in 1931 and re-opened in 1951 -
Beatification
Mary was Beatified in Sydney on 19 January by Pope John Paul II. -
Canonisation
Canonisation in Rome. Mary declared a Saint by Pope Benedict XVI and is now known as St. Mary of the Cross.