Mary Mackillop Essay

Religion Report: Mary Mackillop

By Joshua Foti 11.4

Table of Contents:

1.0 Introduction

1.1 Background…………………………………………………………………. 2

1.2 Aims…………………………………………………………………………...2

2.0 Statement of Findings

2.1 Biographical Information…………………………………………………… 2

2.2 Historical Context…………………………………………………………... 4

2.3 Mary MacKillop’s Contribution to Religion in Australia………………… 5

2.4 Impact on the History of Religion in Australia…………………………,,, 6

3.0 Conclusion ………………………………………………………………….. 6

4.0 Bibliography ………………………………………………………………… 7

1.0: Introduction:

1.1 Background:

Mary Mackillop was one of the most influential figures in religious history in Australia, due to her many works and compassion for religion/education.

Mackillop was an Australian nun, born in 1842 and died in 1909, who noticed and acted upon the major issues of; poverty, discrimination and lack of education in her historical context.

1.2 Aims:
This report will discuss the many different aspects of Mary Mackillop’s work and life, such as; Mackillop’s personal context/ biographical information, her historical context, her contribution to religion in Australia and her impact on the history of religion in Australia. These aspects of her life allow others to understand the motivation and passion Mary Mackillop had for her work, her traits of determination and strength posing as a goal for followers of Christianity and others alike.

2.0: Statement of Findings:
2.1: Biographical Information/ Personal Context:
Mary Mackillop was born on the 15th of January, 1842 and passed away on the 8th of August, 1909. She was born of Scottish parents in Melbourne, yet she was best known for her activities in South Australia. Mary was educated in different private schools, and was also educated by her father. The Mackillop’s were a loving family, with a caring father/husband, but he could not support the family financially- barely surviving on the small wages the children brought home. Because of this financial hardship, Mary described her early life and childhood as “most unhappy”.

In 1856, Mary started work as a governess teaching; reading, writing, arithmetic and being a lady. Also, in her free time she educated herself; an act which displays her passion for education and determination for knowledge. In 1860, Mary acquired a job at a printing factory, an attempt to meet the financial needs of her family as her father was out of work. This job was fundamental in Mary’s vocation, as it gave her an understanding of the needs of the working people.

In 1861, Mary started work as a governess in Penola (a town near Adelaide, South Australia). This work exposed the lack of schooling and education in this area to Mary; driving her to want to teach- especially for the indigenous and the poor. Four years later, Mary was working in a government school, however, she wanted to go back to Penola and become a nun. 1866 was a very important year for Mary as she set up her first school in Penola in a stable, receiving permission from a bishop. This was the first religious institute founded in Australia; it was named the ‘Sisters of Saint Joseph of the Sacred Heart’.

In 1873, Mary wanted control of the institute, but was refused by the bishops. So she went to Rome and the Pope himself endorsed Mary’s claim for control. Many years later in 1891, Mary unfortunately suffers the first of many bouts of serious illness. However, positively the Sisters of Saint Joseph of the Sacred Heart was expanding and was offering free education. Later in 1902, women were allowed to vote throughout Australia, a milestone for gender equality, something which Mary was determined in achieving.

Sadly, on the 8th of August, 1909, Mary Mackillop passed away. After her death, the Sisters of Saint Joseph of the Sacred Heart campaigned for Mackillop to be declared a saint. Mary’s canonisation was a very long and tough path, but in October 2010, Pope Benedict XVI proclaimed Mary as Saint Mary of the Cross; described as “a pioneer for catholic education”. The two miracles performed by Mary were; the curing of Veronica Hopson from leukaemia in 1960, by praying for Mary through intercession and also the curing of Kathleen Evans’ terminal lung cancer in the 1990’s.

2.2: Historical Context:
These years in Australian’s history were pivotal in the development of the cultural and economic leading country it is today. Firstly, in the year 1842, Australia was not a nation; it was different colonies owned by Britain. Convicts were still being transported to Australia and the discrimination between races (white and indigenous) was stronger than ever. There were also no laws for compulsory education for children. In 1854, the Gold Rush occurred; resulting in miners from all over the world rushing in to gain a nugget of wealth for themselves. The Gold Rush caused a huge population boom, an economic boom for Australia and an immigration boom of the non-Europeans. Many fights and riots started on the gold fields due to the racial tension between people.

In 1870, Australia began developing a character separate from its founding nation of Britain. The country was started to think of itself as a nation instead of separate colonies. 29 years later, the official talks started for Federation- the formal joining of the separate colonies to create one nation. In the 1890’s, a deep and long depression was brought on in Australia due to drought and the end of the Gold Rush. This brought a downturn in agriculture and a rise unemployment.

In 1899, the idea of federation was popular. Australia also joined World War 1- contributing to the Boer war and the fight against Dutch Afrikaner settlers in South Africa. There was also a rise in orphans due to unwanted pregnancies and babies. However, the most major event occurred; the stolen generation- a generation of aboriginal children were taken to try and phase out the coloured population of Australia.

1901, Australia was federated, with Edward Barton elected as the first Prime Minister. The white Australia policy was also introduced with immigrants forbidden to vote. One year later, women were allowed to vote throughout Australia. In 1909, Australia was becoming recognised as a strong country on a global scale with the beef industry flourishing and the film industry booming (Australia releasing first full feature length film. Australia was now known as the ‘working means paradise’.

From a religious aspect, Australia was developing quickly; with religion being very dominant, an idea that was widely accepted at the time. Christianity was the dominant religion with the Church of England forming the largest denomination. The church continued to establish missionary work across Australia.

2.3: Mary’s Contribution to Religion in Australia:
Mary was a major influence in the development of religion in Australia due to her works in religious education. Mary was faced with the issue of underprivileged and uneducated children being overlooked by society; the marginalisation of the poor. Mary and Father Julian Tension Woods both decided to act upon this problem in society and make a change.

Mary and Fr Julian then went on to establish the Sisters of Saint Joseph of the Sacred Heart- the first religious institute established by an Australian. This order grew and the Sisters travelled the country sides setting up schools, orphanages and helping out those in need. Followers of the Sisters of Saint Joseph of the Sacred Heart are named Josephites, people who “never see a need without doing something about it”, a principle which summarises exactly the work and contribution Mark Mackillop and her nuns had on religion.

2.4: Impact on the History of Religion in Australia:
Mary Mackillop influenced 12 shelters, 117 schools, 750 sisters and worked in seven different countries in her lifetime, an achievement which is admirable to all people.

Mary is also the major influence on religious education in schools around Australia even still today. Her work is the base for what students in schools today have come to experience. Mary has impacted on children’s religious education and through this; their morals and values. Mary is a role model and a prime example to students in today’s catholic schools, for a way to devote lives to helping others and living how Jesus would want us to.

Mary’s response to the issue of marginalisation of poor, which was evident in her lifetime, affected religion in modern day Australia immensely. Religion is now educated and more widespread in Australia and a s a nation, Australia is more accepting of religion as it is formed in its roots.

3.0: Conclusion:

Mary Mackillop was a very influential figure on religion and education in Australia even today. Through discussing Mary’s personal context, historical context, her contributions to religion in Australia and her impact on religion in Australia; hopefully this report has informed of the aspects of Mary Mackillop’s life, creating a better understanding of her legacy and her

works.

4.0: Bibliography:
1. Catholic Diocese of Parramatta (2010). Who was Mary Mackillop? www.parra.catholic.org.au

2. Mary pages (2001). Saint Mary Mackillop. www.marypages.com

3. Modystack, William (2012). Mary Mackillop: A Woman Before Her Time. Australia: New Holland Publishers

4. Saint Mary Mackillop (2011). Mary’s Story. www.marymackillop.org.au

5. Sisters of Saint Joseph (2009). Mary Mackillop’s Story. www.sosj.org.au

6. Thorpe, Osmond (1974). Mackillop, Mary Helen (1842-1909). www.marymackillop.org.au