Day 5 ... The Day of the Canonisation ceremony of Mary of the Cross MacKillop

This was the moment we had all be waiting and preparing for. What a spectacular celebration. To be a part of the congregation in St Peter's Square, to be at mass with the Pope (even though it was said in Latin), and to be among the many many Australians who had travelled so far to pay homage to a wonderful woman who faced adversity of life with tremendous courage and faith was something that we all couldn't believe. We had to keep asking ourselves "Am I really here?"


As the ceremony began we remembered our family and friends in prayer. Many of us had taken prayers with us to Rome for those at home.

An early morning arrival at St Peter's Square.

The excitement is building as we wait to enter the square.

A young Australian Catholic in Rome who will remember this experience for the rest of her life.

The crowd cheered as the Sister's of St Joseph made their way up the road to St Peter's Square! Now the excitement was building even more.

Our very own Saint Mary of the Cross MacKillop adorned the facade of St Peter's in tapestry.

Australians in Rome. Great seats to be a part of the Canonisation - a great day in the history of our Church.

Cousins awaiting the Pope for the experience of their lives!

The sisters of St Joseph prepared the congregation:

Mary was responsive to the Will of God...

Mary lived in the Presence of God...

As well as her intense devotion to the Mass and the Blessed Sacrament Mary's spirituality was nurtured by other devotions of her time...

Mary's holiness found expression in Christian Virtues...

Australians in Rome

Cardinal Pell gave us a little wave as he processed in front of the Pope.

The pope came along right in front of us. We could almost touch him!

Pope Benedict seated and ready to give us our first Saint.

Preparing the altar for Communion.

There were hundreds of priests giving Communion. The umbrellas were so that the crowd knew where to go for Communion.

And there was a pretty big crowd there!

We met these Australian officials as we left the square. We had had a wonderful experience. 

Looking forward to getting home and sharing it with everyone.