A Strong, Saintly Regard for Youth Education

Thousands of hopeful Australians waited anxiously for the verdict of Pope Benedict XVI on 20 February of this year: would the Blessed Mary MacKillop be canonised as a Saint?

Yes, was his answer. On 17 October 2010 Mary MacKillop will henceforth be known as St Mary of the Cross, a Saint of the Catholic Church.

Our very first Australian Saint is recognised for performing two miracles: healing different women from terminal illnesses after they had prayed to the late nun for saviour. Mary MacKillop is also well known for her efforts devoted to helping the poor and founding her own order of nuns: MacKillop’s Sisters of St Joseph. She was also dedicated to the improvement of education opportunities for youth, particularly those in rural Australia.

Mary MacKillop herself was born in what was then rural Australia, in Fitzroy, Victoria in 1842. Her father highly valued education and sent her to private schools as well as teaching her himself. The eldest of eight children, Mary helped to support the large family by working as a governess, clerk and teacher and it was while she worked as a governess to her uncle’s children that, inspired by the efforts of a Father Julian Woods, she established the first St Joseph’s school for rural students in a disused stable in Penola – to help in the education of rural children from Father Wood’s enormous parish.

As the success of Mary’s inaugural school for rural students grew, so did the number of people who supported her drive to see youth from more isolated areas educated. The newly created Congregation of the Sisters of St Joseph spread in groups to help establish schools in remote Australian communities and teach rural youth.

Mary MacKillop died on 8 August 1909; however her aspirations for youth in rural and outback Australia continue to be realised and ‘Brown Joeys’ (Mary’s supporters) can still be found in country schools or on dusty bush tracks working with the “little ones” of God.

The Country Education Foundation of Australia is proud to see the Blessed Mary MacKillop recognised throughout the world for her dedication and commitment to educating rural youth.