Pope Benedict XVI on Sunday recognised Australia's first saint Mary MacKillop at a mass in Saint Peter's Square in front of some 50,000 cheering pilgrims.“Through her intercession, may her followers today continue to serve God and the Church with faith and humility,” he said at the ceremony.
“For many years countless young people throughout Australia have been blessed with teachers who were inspired by the courageous and saintly example of zeal, perseverance and prayer of Mother Mary MacKillop,” he said. “She dedicated herself as a young woman to the education of the poor in the difficult and demanding terrain of rural Australia,” he added.
There were nationwide celebrations in Australia for MacKillop (1842-1909) and her canonisation
