Mary Mackillop- a non conformist

Her life was difficult as the family was poor and therefore, she had many responsibilities around the house. Despite this she firmly believed in the dignity and worth of each person, a principle that was the foundation to her actions, principles and ideals.

She worked as a governess to support the family, but at 15 she knew it was her calling to become a nun. Her experiences in poverty inspired her to devote her life to education of the poor. Father Julian Woods was the one who would assist Mary in bringing her hopes to reality.

The school at which she worked neglected Catholic teaching, which inspired Mary to open up her first Catholic school in Penola. The school was a dilapidated stable, but Mary was an idealist and remained hopeful. Slowly, children came. The school was a success, and parents could pay fe

Staying true to her beliefs and demonstrating raw non-conformist qualities achieved her ideals. She is now recognized as Australia’s first saint and a worldwide hero for the poor and a pioneer in Australia’s unique education system. She practiced her religion in its simplest form, willing to suffer as Christ did. Mary Mackillop was indeed a non-conformist.

For the next 13 yrs, Mary battled to maintain this ruling and to create Catholic schools as free compulsory secular education was being introduced. Bathurst and Brisbane failed to recognize central government and pressured Mary’s fellow sisters to leave the order. Public supporters who argued her case through letters and petitions placed Mary Mackillop on a pedestal. She was fearless to the bishops’ onslaught continuing her work in NSW. 1/6 of children in NSW primary schools were taught by the Josephites, signifying Mary’s strength, influential power and her ongoing faith in her ideals and vows of maintaining human dignity and giving hope to the poor. She was brave and fearless, quietening her rivals and defying expectations as she continued her work through illness.

Mary and the order established their first school with 60 pupils. Mary was determined to allow lower class families to see things from her point of view. Mary was persistent, strong hearted and a hard worker. These qualities led to almost ½ the schools in Adelaide under the control of 70 Josephite nuns. Mary’s order was growing in its power and popularity.

Some topics in this essay:
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