pathways, May 2009
The announcement of the much-anticipated canonisation of Blessed Mary MacKillop is agonisingly close.
The
Sisters of St Joseph while not pre-empting Rome believe it could be as close as weeks, if not days.
The second miracle has been passed in Australia and is awaiting approval from the Roman authorities.
Postualor Maria Casey RSJ is in Rome. She writes:
As the process for Mary's recognition as a saint for the universal Church continues we are invited to look at her life and see what aspects of her faithfulness to God we can imitate.
She is a beacon of hope for Australia and the World, especially as the problems which beset us now seem to loom larger than ever.
The preparation for her canonisation invites us to come to a new conversion of heart so that we, like her, can continue to make a difference in our world. As one writer said, we can ask ourselves, "What aspect of her life can I embody so that, together, we can be a living portrait of her in our world?"
She assuredly reflected the Gospel Christ, living the essence of love.
Recently, I presented to the Holy Father a selection of photos taken during his visit to the Mary MacKillop Memorial Chapel during World Youth Day. His face glowed as he recalled his visit to Sydney and he sent his greetings and blessing to Australia.
The Holy Father is very aware that this year is the centenary of Mary's death but he also waits for the official process to be concluded.
Mr Tim Fischer, the new Australian Ambassador to the Holy See, reminded the Holy Father that Australia and the world awaits the time when Mary will be canonised.
It is a special time of waiting and praying. There is evidence of devotion to Mary from countries too numerous to list here. It is remarkable how she came to be so widely known and revered in some of these countries.
For now, we pray and give thought to the ways we will celebrate the event of canonisation in Australia so that it is one of joyful thanksgiving and in a spirit that Mary herself would appreciate.
As Postulator I will liaise with all who have a stake in the celebrations in the Roman phase.
The committee will have the task of making the celebration/s not only a moment in the life of the Church but a moment of grace-filled evangelising and of openness to all in Mary's spirit. It is a splendid opportunity for our own renewal and for the Church to recognise the gift that Mary is.
She especially understands the needs of the people of Australia but, with a mother's heart, she understands the needs of the peoples of the world - the rich and poor, the sick and well, the happy and sad, the cheerful and sorrowful, the indigenous and the new-comers, the immigrants and the settled as well as those setting out in life and those nearing the end of the journey.
May Mary continue to be mindful of us all as we look forward in hope to her canonisation.
Congregational leader Anne Derwin RSJ hopes that in this year which also marks the
100th anniversary of Blessed Mary's death (August 8) the telling of her heroic life will continue to influence the contemporary Church and world.
"In a world torn by conflict and strife, by greed and poverty, the example of Mary's life and holiness challenges us to place our trust in God and courageously live the gospel of Jesus Christ," she said.
The Sisters believe that the canonisation will provide a wonderful opportunity for continued spiritual renewal and evangelisation in the wake of World Youth Day 08.
top photo: several members of the Sisters of St Joseph Towards Canonisation Committee attend the recent national media congress in Sydney (from left) Sisters Ann Neven (New Zealand), Rita Flynn (Qld), Colleen O'Dwyer (Vic) and Judy Sippel (Sydney). Sr Judy addressed the congress. Other members of the committee are Sisters Sheila McCreanor (Sydney) and Noelene Quinane (Goulburn).
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