Fed: Approval of Mother Mary's second miracle "a great day"

AAP General News (Australia)
12-20-2009
Fed: Approval of Mother Mary's second miracle "a great day"

MELBOURNE, Dec 20 AAP - Australian bishops have described Sunday as a a great day for
the nation after Pope Benedict XVI's approval of Mother Mary MacKillop's second miracle,
paving the way for her to become our first saint.

Australian Catholic Bishops Conference president Archbishop Philip Wilson said Mother
Mary had quite rightly already become known as "the Australian people's saint".

"She was one of us... " Archbishop Wilson said in a statement. "Mary was an ordinary
person who lived a holy life.

"Mary MacKillop is to become a saint, not only of the Australian people, but for the
Australian people and, indeed, for the world...

"At a time when real heroes are in short supply, Mary MacKillop is a true inspiration.

"We look froward to the announcement of her canonisation with great hope and joy and
invite all Australians to take part in the many events which will be planned around the
nation to mark this historic occasion."

Mother Mary's canonisation will be set down for approval at a Solemn Consistory, a
meeting expected in March.

AAP gfr/goc/

KEYWORD: MACKILLOP BISHOPS

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