Australia's First Native Born Saint to be Canonized

(RV - 19 Feb 10) Pope Benedict XVI held a public ordinary consistory today, during which he announced the canonization of six new saints in a ceremony to be held here at the Vatican on October 17th, 2010.

They include: Stanislaw Soltys, a 15th-century Polish priest; Italian religious sisters Giulia Salzano and Battista Varano and panish sister Candida Maria de Jesus Cipitria y Barriola.

But for English speakers world-wide the announcement of the sainthood of Mary of the Cross is of particular significance.  The Foundress of the Josephite Sisters will become Australia’s first saint.

Veronica Scarisbrick spoke with the postulator for the cause of canonization of Mary MacKillop, Josephite Sister Maria Casey, who told her about what made MacKillop unique.