Archbishop Denis Hart
---
Australian Catholics were jubilant last night at the Vatican's announcement that Mary MacKillop has become the nation's first saint.
A ''deeply pleased'' Melbourne Archbishop Denis Hart said St Mary was a woman of holiness, a great educator, an advocate for the poor and a visionary of Christianity.
''It will be a great encouragement,'' he said. ''The nuns were loved by the people because they shared their battles and their poverty. She and her sisters have always been very close to the people.''
''It will be a great encouragement,'' he said. ''The nuns were loved by the people because they shared their battles and their poverty. She and her sisters have always been very close to the people.''
The formal canonisation ceremony will take place in Rome on October 17 to allow the expected thousands of Australian pilgrims and church leaders to plan to attend.
There will also be celebratory services in all Australian capital cities and most big Catholic churches, according to Australian Catholic Bishops Conference secretary Brian Lucas.
FULL STORY Catholics rejoice as Mary rises to sainthood (The Age)