St. Mary Mackillop Novena 2024: 9 Days of Powerful Prayers!

St. Mary MacKillop is the patron saint of Australia, Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Brisbane, and Knights of the Southern Cross. St. Mary MacKillop novena can be done for nine consecutive days by Australians or for someone who lives in Australia.

About St. Mary MacKillop

Mary was raised in a household that struggled financially. She was born in Melbourne in 1842 to parents who had moved from Scotland.

She was drawn to religious life as a young lady, but there was no existing community of Sisters that fit her desires.

At the age of nine, she got her First Holy Communion on August 15, 1850. Father Julian Woods, who became her spiritual guide, met her in 1860.

The Sisters of St. Joseph of the Sacred Heart, often known as the Josephite Sisters, was created by them as a new community of women. Its members were expected to labor in schools, particularly for disadvantaged children, as well as orphanages and other charitable organizations.

In 1866, MacKillop and Woods created the Sisters of St. Joseph of the Sacred Heart, Australia’s first order of nuns, as well as St. Joseph’s School in a converted stable in Penola, which provided free education to children from the area.

In 1867, MacKillop made vows and became the sisters’ first mother superior. The sisters created schools, an orphanage, and a sanctuary for women released from prison in other Australian cities the next year.

Prior to coming to Australia, MacKillop’s parents lived in Roybridge, Inverness-shire, Scotland. Others from both sides of the family had previously emigrated.

In the 1870s, MacKillop paid a visit to the community, which now has a shrine to her in the local Catholic church, St Margaret’s. MacKillop received her education from her father and private schools.

Facts

Novena Starts: July 30th
Feast Day: August 8th

Significance of St. Mary Mackillop Novena

Every August 8th, Mary MacKillop Feast Day is celebrated in honor of the renowned Saint Mary of the Cross MacKillop. She was Australia’s first Saint, and her influence is felt throughout the country.

Saint Mary of the Cross, a celebrated Catholic person, educator, and social reformer, is honored on this day. She is also Australia’s first Saint, and her impact has extended throughout the country.

She is well-known for her dedication to the needy, assisting people in need in whatever manner she could. Thousands of people visit Mary MacKillop Place in North Sydney, New South Wales, for her feast day. This is not only the saint’s birthplace but also her final resting place.

Many people come to pay their respects to her tomb, attend mass, and exchange food.

Every canonized saint is given one day in the year by the Catholic Church. These are known as ‘feast days.’ When saints are commemorated on their feast days, prayers, special mentions, and scripture readings are used to mark the occasion.

Mary was the first Australian to be beatified by the Roman Catholic Church and the first Australian to be declared a saint in this circumstance.

Read more: St. Blaise Novena

St. Mary Mackillop Novena

Day 1

Let us begin, In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.

Ever-generous God,
You inspired St Mary MacKillop
to live her life faithful
to the Gospel of Jesus Christ
and constant in bringing hope
and encouragement
to those who were disheartened, lonely, or needy.
With confidence in your generous providence
and joining with St Mary MacKillop, we ask that you grant our request

<<mention your special request>>

We ask that our faith and hope
be fired afresh by the Holy Spirit so that we too,
like Mary MacKillop, may live with courage,
trust, and openness.
Ever-generous God, hear our prayer.
We ask this through Jesus Christ.
Amen.

Recite once

Our Father
Hail Mary
Glory Be