Compassion and Saint Mary of the Cross Mackillop

 We celebrate the feast day of Australian Saint Mary of the Cross this coming Saturday (8 August).

What is a SAINT?

The Church does not CREATE saints. Human beings make the conscious choice to do that for themselves. In being Christians, we are in fact all called to be saints; to live lives according to God’s commandments to love God and one another.

Mary Mackillop did this consistently throughout her life. To understand this is to understand that God was central in her life. She loved God and believed with all her heart in God’s love for her.

“I think of the love too deep for words to express, with which God watches over this children.”

(Mary Mackillop Aug 6, 1870)

This loving relationship gave her the will, courage and energy to pour out her life for others. No matter what she was going through herself, her love for God gave her the tenderness and compassion to be side‐by‐side with those who suffered – the poor, homeless, hungry, sick, imprisoned, particularly the children.

‘Whatever troubles may be before you, accept them cheerfully. Do not be afraid. Love one another, bear with one another and let charity guide you in all your life’

(Mary Mackillop January 12, 1909)

In her crowded life she was never far from prayer and this sustained her in ‘never seeing a need without trying to do something about it.’ She recognised God in all the events and people of her daily life.

 ‘God’s presence seems to follow me everywhere and makes everything I do or wish to do a prayer.’

(Mary MacKillop March 28, 1870—Aged 28)

Mary’s love for God gave her the courage to speak the truth even though this caused trouble for her. It gave her the tranquillity to face with serenity constant attack and vilification. It also gave her the ability to show compassion for her attackers. Mary suffered from poor physical health, which she also accepted with grace and peace. All of her sufferings reminded her that God was always present in her life.

‘We have had much sorrow, and are still suffering its effects, but sorrow or trial lovingly submitted to, does not prevent our being happy, it rather purifies our happiness and in doing so draws our hearts nearer to God. (1883)

Mary’s way of life inspired others to follow in her footsteps. They are the ‘Sisters of St Joseph’. Their emblem, which is worn close to their hearts, depicts symbols of the Holy Family. The blue overlapping letters A and M stand for Ave Maria (Hail Mary). between this symbol are three letters J in honour of Jesus, Joseph and John the Baptist.

Today, the Sisters of St Joseph can be found making a difference all over the world carrying on the mission of this Holy Family and Mary Mackillop; reaching out to all – especially the poor and needy - with love, compassion and faith.

In Crookwell we have our very own Sister of St Joseph – Sr Rosemary – who has been carrying on the work of Mary of the Cross for over 50 years. Happy feast day Sr Rosemary.