The Catholic Church is preparing to give Australians a joyous Christmas celebration, with the blessing of Mary MacKillop almost certain to be our first saint within the next few days.
The move will end decades of lobbying for the canonisation of the woman renowned for her relentless work in helping children and the needy. Australia’s five million Catholics will rejoice at the news, with the sainthood anticipated to spark an increased interest in the Church and faith, especially in South Australia where Mary co-founded the Sisters of St Joseph.
It is believed that Mary MacKillop’s second miracle has been cleared by a team of cardinals and bishops, and the final assent from Pope Benedict XV1 is now just days away.
It has been announced by the Sisters of St Joseph that an announcement from the Catholic Church was imminent, and the sisters were very excited and anticipate there could be some good news before Christmas.
A spokeswoman for Sisters of St Joseph said it was wonderful that Mary MacKillop’s spirit and good work would be recognised for the Church and for Australia.
Journalist around Australia had been contracted by a spokesperson from the Sisters of St Joseph informing that an announcement would be made on Saturday to confirm Mary’s sainthood, however it was removed from the agenda of a meeting with the Pope schedule for yesterday but has been postponed for a few days.
Mary has been credited with two miracles, the first, curing a woman of leukaemia, and another case involving an inoperable cancer.