St. Mary MacKillop: The Australian Saint Who Was Excommunicated | St. Mary of the Cross (8 August)

About this sermon

St. Mary MacKillop, also known as St. Mary of the Cross, endured poverty, opposition, persecution, removal from office—and even excommunication—yet refused to surrender her love for God, the Church, or those who caused her suffering. Born in Melbourne, Australia, Mary MacKillop experienced hardship from childhood. Eventually she began teaching poor children in South Australia and, together with Fr. Julian Tenison Woods, helped establish the Sisters of St. Joseph of the Sacred Heart, commonly known as the Josephites. Their mission was radical: go wherever poor children needed them, educate them, serve those in need, embrace poverty, and trust in Divine Providence. But Mary’s greatest crosses would come from within the Church. When attempts were made to alter the Josephite rule, Mary remained respectful of ecclesiastical authority while insisting that her first duty was to God and the rule she had vowed to follow. The conflict culminated in one of the most extraordinary moments of her life: Mary MacKillop was excommunicated. Yet instead of responding with hatred or bitterness, she endured the ordeal with extraordinary peace and charity. Even while suffering injustice, she refused to speak maliciously about those responsible. Five months later, the dying bishop lifted the sentence against her. And the trials continued. Mary traveled to Rome seeking protection and approval for the Josephite congregation. She endured further accusations, removal from leadership, interference with her religious community, and years of opposition. Through it all, she remained faithful. Eventually, Mary MacKillop was unanimously elected Mother General once again. After suffering a stroke in 1902, she continued serving despite being confined to a wheelchair. She died on August 8, 1909. Today, the Church venerates her as St. Mary of the Cross MacKillop, Australia’s first canonized saint. Her life leaves Catholics with powerful lessons: ✝️ Embrace the Cross God permits. 🙏 Keep your promises to God despite obstacles. ❤️ Remain charitable even when you are treated unjustly. ⛪ Defend what is right without losing love for the Church. 🕊️ Do what you can—and leave the rest to God. 🤝 Never underestimate the supernatural power of kindness. St. Mary MacKillop teaches us that holiness is not proved merely when everything goes well. It is revealed in how faithfully we carry the Cross when misunderstood, falsely accused, opposed, or persecuted. May we imitate her patience, courage, perseverance, humility, and charity. St. Mary of the Cross MacKillop, pray for us! ━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━ 00:00 Introduction 00:14 Mary MacKillop’s Birth & Childhood 01:58 Working to Support Her Family 02:05 Mary Becomes a Governess 02:22 Fr. Julian Tenison Woods 02:53 Mary Answers the Call 03:08 The First School at Penola 03:23 Sister Mary of the Cross 03:30 The Sisters of St. Joseph 04:17 A Prophecy of Crosses & Afflictions 05:00 Trouble Begins in Adelaide 06:30 Attempts to Change the Josephite Rule 07:11 Mary Defends Her Vocation 07:48 The Conflict Escalates 08:52 The Bishop Arrives 09:09 Mary MacKillop Is Excommunicated 09:41 Her Extraordinary Response 10:22 Suffering Without Bitterness 11:04 The Excommunication Is Lifted 11:58 Mary Goes to Rome 12:06 Roman Approval for the Josephites 12:46 Opposition Continues 13:20 The Crisis of 1883 14:49 Mary Is Sent to Sydney 15:13 A Shocking Discovery 15:30 Mary’s Charity Toward Her Bishop 17:01 Trusting God Through the Trial 17:26 Removed as Superior General 18:48 The Battle Over the Josephites Continues 19:26 Rome Intervenes 19:35 Mary Is Elected Mother General Again 19:44 Mary Suffers a Stroke 20:01 Her Leadership Through Kindness 20:51 “Do What You Can” 20:59 Death & Canonization 21:23 Lessons From St. Mary MacKillop 21:31 Lesson 1: Embrace Your Cross 21:46 Remain Faithful to Your Vows 22:19 Patience Under Unjust Persecution 22:59 Fighting Without Losing Charity 23:46 Do What You Can & Leave the Rest to God 24:24 The Extraordinary Power of Kindness 25:25 Final Prayer 25:49 St. Mary of the Cross, Pray for Us For more please visit http://www.veritascaritas.com & please remember to say 3 Hail Marys for the priest 🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴 Support Catholic Businesses here - https://sensusfidelium.com/catholic-businesses/ Sensus Fidelium Press - https://sensusfideliumpress.com/ Sensus Fidelium Apps - https://sensusfidelium.tv/ Support Sensus Fidelium - https://sensusfidelium.com/donate-support/ 🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴 #StMaryMacKillop #MaryMacKillop #StMaryOfTheCross #CatholicSaints #Catholic #CatholicFaith #AustralianSaint #SaintOfTheDay #CatholicChurch #CatholicHistory #CatholicSpirituality #Saints #August8

Topics

• Jesus Christ