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How do they continue Jesus’ mission and service by living their Christian vocation?

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How do they continue Jesus’ mission and service by living their Christian vocation?

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The reformers continue the mission of Jesus by being leaders and standing up for what is right, and not being afraid to help the poor and interact and provide a voice for those who would be otherwise marginalised.

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What connections can be drawn between your Reformer’s actions and the actions of contemporary ‘reformers’. Is there a “charism” associated with a founder?

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What connections can be drawn between your Reformer’s actions and the actions of contemporary ‘reformers’. Is there a “charism” associated with a founder?

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The reformers of today’s day and age are all working either to provide education to underprivileged children, to end poverty whilst encouraging equality, and to give a voice to marginalised people across the world. Mary Mackillop did all of these things whilst working towards providing an education for many children across Australia. These reformers are well-liked across the world because of the change they instil for those who are needy around the world, and by standing up and giving a voice for those who are silenced around the world.

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individuals/groups continuing the work of Mary Mackillop

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individuals/groups continuing the work of Mary Mackillop

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Peace Ayo

Peace Ayo is an education activist in Nigeria, providing many girls out of school with scholarships, and teaching parents throughout Nigeria about the importance of an education for their children.

Oprah Winfrey

Winfrey Founded the Oprah Winfrey leadership academy for girls in South Africa, a school offering girls from underprivileged families access to support, help and education to help them succeed.

Reverum William Barber 11

William Barber dedicated his life to fighting inequality and justice, seeking to end poverty in a rich country. He fights for the right to healthcare, a liveable minimum wage, and everyone guaranteed subsistence.

End Poverty Now

Advocates for starving, marginalised and poor people around the world, alleviating poverty around the world.

World relief

Partnering with churches to help those suffering to rebuild their life.

Muslim hands

International UK based NGO organisation to help encourage and empower people to turn their lives around.

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What was the Church’s response to 19th Century conditions with The Condition of Labor (Rerum Novarum), from Pope Leo XIII in 1891?

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What was the Church’s response to 19th Century conditions with The Condition of Labor (Rerum Novarum), from Pope Leo XIII in 1891?

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Message

The message contained within the rerum Novarum is that everyone has a right to equality and justice, with living equally a basic right that all humans deserve. One of the themes of Rerum Novarum is defence of the poor: making it clear that this should be observed by all people of faith, as well as the government.

Relevant to the words and actions of the reformer

Mary Mackillop made the defence of the poor and impoverished an integral part of her mission and message. Mackillop believed that every single person, rich or poor, has the right to an education. She is a clear representation of this theme in the Rerum Novarum.

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The parable story that may have inspired Mackillop to work for social justice was the parable of the persistent neighbour. It showed someone that showed courage and asked for help, whom needed something in a time of great need. The neighbour responded to this need, providing help. Mary Mackillop was someone who responded to the need of poor children throughout her life, making it clear that she would care for those when others would not.

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A miracle story that may have inspired Mary Mackillop was when Jesus healed the man with leprosy. It contains the same messages that Mary Mackillop carried within her mission: for example, at the time period, no one would have gone anywhere near a leper! Jesus showed his love and care for everyone, including those marginalised in society, so he touched the hand of the leper, healing him. Jesus showed that he cared for those that others didn’t, and Mary Mackillop also showed this by constantly working with those poor and impoverished, when others of the time would not. The leper trusted in Jesus to provide him an opportunity to lead a normal and fulfilling life, and Mary provided this opportunity to many children around the country. Matthew 8:1-4

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Priestly, prophetic, kingly work of Jesus

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Priestly, prophetic, kingly work of Jesus

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Mackillop clearly demonstrated the priestly work of Jesus by dedicating her life to the works of her organisation. For example, she insisted that her and the women working alongside her live a total life of poverty. Showing great leadership, she drove many women to help educate the poor children of Australia, dedicating each day to the education of children and working towards providing them with a catholic education.

Mary Mackillop taught the words and teachings of Jesus Christ in the schools she founded, visited and the children she taught, she instilled the catholic mission within them. Her organisation successfully provided an education to many children, inspiring more people to work alongside her with the Sisters of St. Joseph to establish schools and convents, giving so many children opportunities they never would have received if not for the Sisters of St. Joseph.

Mary Mackillop demonstrated the Kingly work of Jesus through guiding the Josephites to places other religious organisations did not, by paving the way in which poor communities were given the support and education, for children in particular, to give them the same opportunities in life as other children were given. She constantly encouraged her sisters to pray for those who treated them unfairly, and determinedly never ceasing to care for the poor and those less fortunate. She helped guide her organisation to open schools and provide children with opportunities they never would’ve received otherwise. She is truly a role model (Comensoli, 2021)

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Mary Mackillop, alongside Father Tension-Woods, founded Australia's first order of nuns: The sisters of St. Joseph of the sacred heart in 1866. Her organisation was devoted towards teaching and education, insisting the nuns working with the organisation took a life of poverty. She established St. Joseph's school in Penola, as well as many other schools founded by her organisation teaching Australian children with a religious education. Mackillop accepted no government money for the funding of the schools, and as well as helping those in need, she lived a simplistic life reflective of her values and beliefs.

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There is a letter available to us written by Mary Mackillop on the 24th of November 1867. She was writing to her Mother, requesting her reply as she was now going to be writing to her once each month. The letter demonstrates Mackillop's care and gentleness, missing her family greatly whilst travelling in Adelaide with Father Julian Tension-Woods, and the Sisters of St. Joseph. The letter truly shows not only Mackillop's care and empathy, but her dedication to her mission. She encouraged her Mother to pray, and even asked if her sister may one day join when the right time comes.

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Mary Mackillop was committed to the lives and educations of the poor children throughout the country. Her mission was to provide a catholic education to many, although in a time of extreme uncertainty and poverty. Founding the Sisters of Saint Joseph of the sacred heart, Mary and her organisation educated many young people throughout Australia.

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Saint Mary Mackillop was born on the 15th of January 1842, in Melbourne, Victoria, from a poor Scottish family during a time period of scarce housing and great change in the way of economy, schooling and the country as a whole. There was a great number of immigrants coming to Australia from the UK during this time. Mary's Father, stressing the importance of an education, home-schooled his eight children. Mary began work at 14, and was her family’s main support. She moved to Penola in 1860, serving as a governess to her cousins, extending her education to the poor children of the town. She was encouraged by a priest, Father Julian Tenison Woods, to continue working for the poor. Mackillop recognised the need for education for children affected by poverty, educating them in the way of the Catholic church.

Believing everyone had the right to an education, Mackillop founded Australia’s first order of Nuns: The sisters of St. Joseph of the sacred heart, in 1866. She intended her organisation to be devoted to teaching and education, and insisted the women of her organisation took a life of poverty. She established St Joseph’s school in Penola, as long as many other schools founded by her organisations, which taught religious education, accepting no government money. As well as helping those in need, she lived a simplistic life reflective of her values and beliefs.

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Mary Mackillop: Australia's first saint