The big picture Before 1900, poor people in Australia did not receive money from the government. Life was hard, especially in remote parts of the country. Schools were expensive, so poor children often missed out on an education. Many families could not afford doctors when they fell sick. Old or homeless people begged in the streets. The only help available came from the churches.

The In Australia, the Catholic Church set up schools, hospitals and hostels for the poor. These were run by religious women known as , Pope who devoted their lives to teaching time, Mary showed poor children, nursing the sick and looking after elderly people. wisdom and religious The Church had a strict order of faith in the face of leadership. In Australia, all nuns took vows of obedience, which Cardinalsgreat difficulties. Mary’s Sisters of St Joseph The Sisters of St Joseph provided shelter for women, children, homeless and troubled people and never meant they must obey their Mary’s goal was to establish an Order turned anyone away. These sisters worked in without question. Many people admiredof nuns run by an Australian woman Camberwell, , in the early 1900s. for Australian conditions. When Mary This fitted in with attitudes towards Mary’s work with set up the Sisters of St Joseph she was women in the 1800s. At that time, the poor and herdetermined that they would not stay women were thought to be weaker Eyewitness words Archbishops locked away in convents, but would and less intelligent than men. Most religious life, traveland in small groups to remote areas. men did not believe that women They would open schools and shelters Never see a need could be strong leaders and decision- lobbied the Catholic for the poor and homeless, and ❝without doing something makers. Nuns in the Catholic Church welcome all those in need. The sisters were not supposed to think for Church to officially about it. would take a vow of poverty, and themselves, but Mary MacKillop Bishops recognise her as Mary MacKillop, 1872 (head of diocese) would be as poor as the people they ❞ was different. a . helped. Most importantly, Mary MacKillop would make decisions as head of her Order, to ensure that they The Pope in Rome was the headDuring of the her lifetime, were free to do their good work without Catholic Church. Under him were any interference from Catholic priests cardinals, then archbishops, thenMary bishops showed wisdom and bishops. She would answer only to and then parish priests. Orders of monks the Pope in Rome. and nuns in Australia were under the and religiousPriests faithHoly inOrders leadership of the local . (head of parish) of monks and the face of great nuns 6 difficulties. Many 7 people admired Mary’s work with the poor Key people Two people played key roles in setting up the religious Order of the Sisters of St Joseph. Julian Tenison Woods

Born: 15 November 1832 in London, England Maria (Mary) Ellen MacKillop Role: Priest and co-founder of the Order of the Sisters of St Joseph Born: 15 January 1842 in Fitzroy, Age at the founding of the Order: , Victoria 34 Role: Co-founder and first head (Mother- Died: 7 October 1889 General) of the Order of the Sisters of Appearance: Tall, slim, brown wavy hair, St Joseph time, Mary showed dark lively eyes Religious name: Mary of the Cross Character: Intelligent, talented, widely Age at the founding of the Order wisdom and religious read and charming, but also over-confident (1866): 24 faith in the face of and headstrong Died: 8 August 1909 Comments: Father Woods set Mary MacKillop on the path to a religious Appearance: Average height, slim, clear great difficulties. life. His persuasive manner helped the grey eyes, dark eyebrows, auburn hair Many people admired Order of the Sisters of St Joseph to survive Character: Clever, clear-headed, calm, Mary’s work with its first years and grow in numbers. kind and dutiful but strong-willed and However, Father Woods could also be quietly determined. Deeply religious, the poor and her difficult and unwise. He believed he could but also good-humoured and practical. see into the future, spent money he did Comments: Mary MacKillop was a natural religious life, and not have and argued with his bishops. leader with strong ideas. Nothing would lobbied the Catholic Father Woods’ strange beliefs and poor stop her from doing what she believed was decisions finally drove away his friends, God’s will. She begged in the streets, stood Church to officially including Mary MacKillop. up to powerful churchmen, and went to the Pope in Rome for help. She saw troubles recognise her as as ‘crosses’, or challenges, sent by God to a saint. strengthen her, and refused to judge her enemies harshly. During her lifetime, Mary showed wisdom and religious faith in the face of great 8 difficulties. Many 9 people admired Mary’s work with the poor First steps 1867 towards Mary MacKillop had always wanted to be a but she had to work to support As the school at Penola grew, so did Word about the We need sainthood her family. Then she met a young priest, Father Woods, who invited her to the Order of the Sisters of St Joseph. sisters’ work schools for the poor here in January 1866 work with him in Penola, . There, they planned a new Order of spread to . I’ll bring Adelaide, TOO. some teaching nuns, the Sisters of St Joseph. Mary would be the first member. I want to sisters. join the Mary MacKillop M ary, I wANT to open You will Order. travelled to Penola, a free school for the But what work for South Australia, to help Father Woods. poor. Will you help me? about my God now. family?

Welcome, I hear they are Yes, April Sister. doing good work, Bishop Fatherveil Woods. Sheil. Bishop Sheil was so pleased that symbol he madeJuly Father Woods Director of Meanwhile, back in Penola … white of the Catholic Education in South Australia. gimp Order The sisters of the need habits to Sisters Mary set up a convent wear, Mary. rosary of St in Adelaide and opened Soon the Penola Catholic school beads Joseph a school, which the sisters supported by begging. Mary searched for a schoolhouse. opened. It was free to students. Mary’s brother John Mary was not paid for her work. brown helped with repairs. dress

long God bless skirt you. Yes, Father. 15 August

Hmm … this old stable will do. Mary took her vows as a nun. 19 March Soon the new habits were ready. Mary and Father Woods drew up Mary decided to rules for the new Order of nuns. I name you Within a year, there were 30 sisters dedicate herself She wore a simple black SistersThis marked of St the Joseph beginning must: of the ‘Mary of running 8 schools and 2 homeless dress to church … to God. •Order be poor of the and Sisters own ofno St Joseph. the Cross’. shelters in South Australia. property I don’t need these fancy clothes Hello, • be led by a sister Miss. anymore. • take orders only from I’m Sister the Pope in Rome. Mary now.

10 ‘The Cross’ meant pain and Come in, 11 dear. … and she prepared trouble, which Mary would to become a nun. overcome with God’s help.