Mary MacKillop Place, Sydney

History

Mary MacKillop founded the Sisters of St Joseph in 1866 with a ministry dedicated to educating the children of the poor. The order expanded across Australia, extending its ministry to orphaned and neglected children, and homeless and destitute people of all ages. Mary met opposition from some people within the Catholic Church and for a period was exiled from the Church.

She was beatified (declared a saint within Australia) in 1995, when her first miracle, the healing of a woman with leukaemia, was formally recognised.

On December 19 2009, Pope Benedict XVI approved a second miracle (the recovery from cancer by Kathleen Evans) attributed to the intercession of Blessed Mary MacKillop. This was the final step to fulfil the requirements for canonisation.

Mary MacKillop was Canonised on October 17 2010 at St Peter's Basilica, Rome. Pope Benedict XVI proclaimed Mary's sainthood during the Canonisation Mass. Over 8000 pilgrims from Australia and New Zealand attended the ceremony.

Other facilities

Other features include a museum, celebrating the life, work and spirituality of Saint Mary MacKillop, facilities for education, gift shop and café.