10 Interesting Mary Mackillop Facts

Saturday, July 12th 2014. | People


Mary Mackillop Facts give you the interesting facts about Australian Scottish decent woman. The Catholic Church declared her as a saint. Mary Helen Mackillop was notable as St Mary of the Cross Mackillop after she was considered as a saint. Here are facts about Mackillop for you:

Mary Mackillop Facts 1: Sisters of St Joseph of the Sacred Heart

Sisters of St Joseph of the Sacred Heart were established by Mary Mackillop and Julian Tension Woods. There were many kinds of welfare institutions and schools established through this congregation of religious sisters in Australia. The main purpose for this congregation was to educate the rural poor people.

Mary Mackillop Facts 2: Pope Benedict XVI

Mackillop is considered as an important woman due to her big contribution in Australia. When Pope Benedict XVI went to Australia on 17th July 2008, he prayed at her tomb. At that time, Pope was visiting Sydney for World Youth Day 2008.

Mary Mackillop Facts

Mary Mackillop Facts

Mary Mackillop Facts 3: a second miracle

The approval of her second miracle of Mackillop was publicly done by Pope Benedict on 19th December 2009.

Mary Mackillop Facts 4: a saint

The only Australian person who was recognized by Catholic Church as a saint was Mackillop. In St Peter’s Square Vatican, she was canonized in 2010.

Mary Mackillop Festival

Mary Mackillop Festival

Mary Mackillop Facts 5: date of birth

Mary Mackillop was born on 15th January 1842 in Melbourne suburb of Fitzroy, Victoria. At that time, the place of birth of Mackillop was called Newtown.  It was a part of British Colony in New South Wales.

Mary Mackillop Facts 6: parents

Mary Mackillop was the daughter of Alexander MacKillop and Flora MacDonald. Many people knew her as Mary. But actually she was baptized under the name Maria Ellen 6 weeks after she was born.

Mary Mackillop Image

Mary Mackillop Image

Mary Mackillop Facts 7: siblings

There were eight children in the family. Mary was the eldest one.  Her siblings included Margaret, John, Annie, Alexandrina, Donald, Alick, and Peter.

Mary Mackillop Facts 8:Donald and Lexie

Her sibling, Lexie was a Josephite, while Donald was Jesuit priest. He worked as in Northern territory among the Aboriginal people. Learn more on Aboriginals facts here.

Mary Mackillop Pic

Mary Mackillop Pic

Mary Mackillop Facts 9: early jobs

When Mary was 14 years old, she had a job as a clerk in Melbourne. Then she moved o Panola, South Australia for she had to work as a governess in the estate of her aunt and uncle in 1860. She did it to support the family.

Mary Mackillop Facts 10: death

Mackillop passed away on August 8, 1909 in North Sydney. She was buried at Gore Hill Cemetery.

Mary Mackillop

Mary Mackillop

Her burial was moved to a memorial chapel in Mount Street, North Sidney after many people took earth from her grave. Do you want to give opinion on facts about Mary Mackillop?


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