Who is the first saint of Australia?

Answer: St. MARRY MACKILLOP, a nun and educator.

St. Mary MacKillop (1842–1909) was an Australian nun and educator, known for her role in founding the Sisters of St. Joseph of the Sacred Heart. Born in Melbourne, she dedicated her life to providing education and support to impoverished and marginalized communities in Australia. Despite facing significant opposition from church authorities, MacKillop remained committed to her mission. Her work laid the foundation for the Catholic education system in Australia. She was canonized as a saint by the Catholic Church in 2010, becoming Australia’s first saint.

Let’s look at 3 great lessons from her life:

1. Resilience in Adversity: St. Mary MacKillop faced numerous challenges, including opposition from church authorities and financial difficulties. Her perseverance through these hardships teaches the importance of resilience and staying true to one’s mission despite obstacles.

2. Commitment to Service: Her dedication to educating and helping the underprivileged underscores the value of selfless service. MacKillop’s life demonstrates how commitment to the needs of others can lead to significant positive change in communitie.

3. Bravery in Defying Norms : MacKillop’s willingness to stand up against established norms and fight for her vision of education highlights the importance of courage and integrity. She showed that challenging unjust systems and advocating for reform can lead to meaningful progress.

Here are five quotes attributed to St. Mary MacKillop:

“Never see a need without doing something about it.”


“We must teach more by example than by word.”


“The cross is the foundation of all virtues.”


“Find happiness in making others happy.”


“Do not be afraid of the cross. It is a sign of love and mercy.”

Happy feast day of St. Mary Mackillop to all!

With love,

Little-pencil