Australia Post to issue stamp to celebrate country's first saint

(Sept..28,2010) Australia is to issue a stamp to celebrate the country’s first saint. Blessed Mary MacKillop, known as a prolific letter-writer, will be immortalized on an Australian stamp and limited-edition collector's postcard to be issued Oct. 18, the day after Pope Benedict XVI canonizes her in Rome as St. Mary of the Cross.
Sister Sheila McCreanor, secretary-general of the Sisters of St. Joseph of the Sacred Heart, which Blessed MacKillop co-founded in 1866, said the stamp is entirely appropriate, as she was such a great letter-writer." Sister Sheila has edited three published volumes of Blessed MacKillop's letters. She added that the stamp was a mark of honour and a wonderful reminder to people of Mary's heroic goodness and the great impact that a life lived in fidelity to God can have on the world. It is also a testament to her legacy as a pioneer in education, she added.
A spokesman of Australia Post said the stamp is the Australian public's way of recognizing the country's first saint. The "Canonization of Mary MacKillop" stamp issue, includes the stamp and a first-day cover collector's postcard featuring three medallions, which depict images of Blessed MacKillop's first schoolhouse in Penola, Australia; Blessed MacKillop with schoolchildren; and a portrait of her. The issue will be sold for about 30 Australian dollars ($29) from Australia Post retail outlets and online at auspost.com.au/stamps.