Catholic Diocese of Broome

We have become very familiar in recent times with discussions and thoughts about saints and canonization and holiness. For this we give thanks to our own St Mary of the Cross. A spectacular celebration in Rome, along with countless Masses, remembrances and prayer services, offered up in gratitude all over our nation, marked the occasion of her elevation as Australia’s first Saint. She has encouraged us to strive for holiness, in the sure and certain hope that even in the Australian context it is attainable, should we have ever doubted it! She is home-grown and easy to relate to, one of us, down-toearth and completely devoid of any pomposity.

Much of what defined Mary MacKillop is found in the life of other Saints too, such as Mary, the Mother of Jesus and her husband, Joseph. Their lives were as simple as could be: they found shelter where they could; for them and for us, a stable at the back of an inn was the birthplace of the Saviour, no slick resort or swank apartment. They lived unpretentiously; the boy child was wrapped in swaddling clothes and lay in a manger. They were all embracing; they played host to heavenly angels, impoverished shepherds and strange wise men from the East. They accepted the great disappointments in life and cherished the finer things in their hearts.

Mary of North Sydney and Mary of Nazareth have much in common. It is evident that Mary MacKillop learnt from the life of Mary of the Magnificat, as she did from the quiet achiever Joseph, after whom she named her Congregation of Sisters. It is no wonder that there is a distinctive resonance in the remarkable holiness that distinguishes the life of our Mary most recently proclaimed a Saint for the universal Church. Holiness for her meant conforming her will to the will of God and serving Him generously and faithfully.

Mary, the Mother of the boy child, Jesus, and her husband Joseph, through their example instill in us an appreciation of the wonder and generosity of God. At Christmas time let us focus even more strongly on this couple joined to the world through the birth of their Son Jesus, Our Lord and Saviour. This is the season to celebrate the family, when it is good to reach out and acknowledge this basic building block of society that is regularly treated so carelessly by some elements in our country. It is a special time for remembering that it is the simple things of life that truly matter and to concede that the desire to tirelessly consume and amass material goods is socially destructive and spiritually damaging, for ourselves and our nation. Conversely, to live the way of a family bound by love and holiness is an invitation which promises a richness that is fulfilling and life giving.

As we turn our minds to the festive moments of Christmas let our celebrations of this beautiful occasion turn also to our deep desire to seek holiness. May the lives of Mary and Joseph inspire us in this quest as they did St Mary of the Cross. May I take this opportunity to wish you and your family God’s choicest blessings now and throughout the coming year.