The sisters went where others wouldn’t: the outback, mining towns and slums. In 1871 the bishop of Adelaide, misled by complaints, excommunicated her. She accepted it without bitterness, and the bishop lifted it a few months later before he died. She went on to lead her order for decades and died in 1909. In 2010 she was canonized as St Mary of the Cross, Australia’s first saint.
Historical Context
A saying often attributed to her captures her whole life: “Never see a need without doing something about it.”
A Prayer to St Mary MacKillop
St Mary of the Cross, you went to the poorest children in the hardest places.
Pray that I see the needs around me and do something about them.
When I’m misunderstood or treated unjustly,
help me respond as you did, without bitterness, trusting God.
Pray for teachers, for the poor, and for the people of Australia.
Amen.
For Teachers
St Mary MacKillop, bless teachers in schools where resources are few.
Give them patience, creativity and love for every child.
Amen.
When Treated Unjustly
Lord, I’ve been wronged by people who should have supported me.
Like St Mary, help me forgive and keep going.
Amen.
Best Times for This Prayer
- On 8 August, her feast.
- At the start of a school year.
- When facing injustice from authority.
Scripture Connection
“Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness’ sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” — Matthew 5:10
Mary MacKillop was punished for doing the right thing, by the very Church she served. She trusted that God saw the truth, and he did.
Related prayers
For teachers, see the April 7 Prayer and St John Bosco Prayer. For another founder who served the poor, the March 3 Prayer (St Katharine Drexel).