Reflection: Learning from the Character of Mary MacKillop

Freedom, Generosity, and Fidelity in the Service of God and the Poor

Introduction

Mary MacKillop, Australia’s first canonised saint, stands as a compelling model of Christian discipleship. Her life, marked by hardship, opposition, and profound trust in God, demonstrates that holiness is attainable in the ordinary circumstances of life. The qualities she embodied—freedom, generosity, and fidelity—remain timeless virtues for those committed to social action and faith-based service (Steer, 1994).

Freedom in Mission

Mary’s freedom was not a rejection of authority but a steadfast adherence to the mission entrusted to her by God. She resisted attempts to compromise the autonomy of her congregation, understanding that its independence was essential to serving the poor effectively. This capacity to remain faithful to principle, even under intense pressure, exemplifies the type of courageous leadership needed in faith communities today.

Generosity to the Marginalised

Mary’s generosity was visible in her tireless work to provide education and dignity for those without privilege. She “saw the positive in the negative, the possible in the impossible, and new birth and life in the midst of failure and death” (Steer, 1994, p. iii). This was not naïve optimism but a hope refined through suffering, enabling her to offer others both material help and spiritual encouragement.

Fidelity in Suffering

Mary’s fidelity to God’s providence was most evident during times of trial, such as her unjust excommunication. She accepted these crosses with humility and refused to retaliate against her detractors. Her perseverance in love, even when wronged, reveals a holiness rooted in daily acts of trust and service rather than in grand gestures.

Implications for the Cardijn Community

For the Cardijn Community, Mary’s character offers a living example of the See–Judge–Act method. She read the signs of her time with clarity, responded to the needs of the poor with compassion, and acted decisively despite resistance. Her example reminds us that sanctity is not abstract; it is the concrete, consistent, and free gift of oneself for the good of others—especially the most neglected.

Reference
Steer, J. M. (1994). Mary MacKillop: A biographical study of Australian sainthood [Master’s thesis, University of Queensland]. University of Queensland.