Mary MacKillop

Mary Mackillop’s Feast Day falls on this Friday August 8. As Australia’s first patron saint, a significant part of Mary’s life was spent founding schools for the poor and underprivileged (with the support of Fr Julian Tenison-Woods). Mary’s life did not always run smoothly, and she was ex-communicated at one point after a misunderstanding. In the face of this opposition, Mary stayed true to her beliefs and held steadfast in her forgiveness during this trial and was eventually reinstated. It was in 2010 that she was canonised by Pope Benedict XVI. As the only Australian saint, Mary’s Feast Day is an important day in the Catholic Church calendar.

St Clare’s Feast Day

St Clare’s Feast Day falls on Sunday August 17 this year. Our school will celebrate our patron saint during mass on Monday August 18 at 10am. This will be followed by a cake for our whole school at first break. Families and friends are welcome to join us for mass.

Who Was St Clare of Montefalco?

The patron saint of our school is St Clare. She lived in a small Italian village called Montefalco. She is also known as St Clare of the Cross.

Clare was born in 1268 and as a young 6 year old girl, went to live at a convent with her sister Joan (who was the head Augustinian nun in their area). Clare lived a secluded life and spent time only with other nuns or religious men in the monastery. Together, they would spend long hours praying together. 

After Joan had passed away, the other nuns decided that Clare would be the best person to lead them. Although she did not want to, she agreed. Clare was known as a wise leader who governed with love and holiness. Her advice was frequently sought after and almost always correct. Even priests and bishops came to her for guidance. On August 17, 1308 Clare took ill and passed away. It is believed that after her death, she was found to have an inscription of a cross of her heart. This represented her commitment to prayer and her passion and devotion to Christ.

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