MARY

Excommunication in the 19th century, sainthood in the 20th. Mary MacKillop is one of Australia's unsung heroes. Despite excommunication and exile, Mary remained determined to bring education to the poor and underprivileged. In January 1995 Mary was beatified by Pope John Paul II as Australia's first saint. This is Mary's story.

Spanning sixty years, the breadth of Australia and the grandeur of Rome in the late 19th Century, Mary tells the story of one of Australia's greatest battlers.

Born to Scottish migrant parents in 1842, Mary experienced a calling to religious life at the age of 5. By the time she reached her early 20s, Mary was deeply troubled by the plight facing the impoverished lower classes in colonial Australia.

Her love of humanity, a belief that everybody deserved a fair go and an early calling to religious life saw her, with guidance from Father Julian Woods, establish the order of the Sisters of St Joseph.

Dedicated to the education of all people regardless of race, social status or religious belief, Mary's unfailing dedication to her work and disregard for social barriers brought her into conflict with the Catholic hierarchy and resulted in her excommunication from the Church she loved.

Facing the might of a powerful congregation of bishops, she stood alone, rock solid, in her quest for equality for all and the right for her order to answer only to Rome.

After the excommunication was lifted by the dying bishop who originally invoked it, Mary travelled to Rome to put a case for an independent order to the Holy Father.

One hundred years later, the Sisters of St Joseph, the order founded by Mary, continue to bring enlightenment and knowledge to hundreds of thousands of people around the world.

The stunning dramatic recreations of Mary MacKillop's life are integrated with commentary from four contemporary experts - Father Peter Gumpel, historical consultant; broadcaster and biographer Clare Dunne; and Sisters Margaret McKenna and Marie Foale from the Sisters of St Joseph.

On 19 January 1995, Mary MacKillop was officially beatified by Pope John Paul II and became Australia's first saint, the Blessed Mary MacKillop.

VIEW TRAILER HERE: vimeo.com/930918830

With LUCY BELL (Mary McKillop), LINDEN WILKINSON (older Mary), REBECCA SCULLY-WEBSTER (young Mary), BRENDAN HIGGINS (Father Julian Woods), BRIAN HARRISON (Bishop Shiel), MAUREEN GREEN (Sister Teresa).

Interviewees: Clare Dunn, Sister Marie Foale, P. Peter Gumpel, S.J., Sister Margaret McKenna.

Writer-director - Kay Pavlou
Producer - Rosemary Blight
Cinematographer - Jan Kenny ACS
Production Designer - Angus Strathie
Music - Douglas Stephen Rae
Editor - Margaret Sixel
Story - Julie Macken

Developed with the assistance of the Australian Film Commission.
Produced and developed with the assistance and financial participation of the NSW Film and TV Office.
Financed by the Australian Film Finance Corporation Ltd.

---

"A carefully crafted exploration of one of Australia's rare religious/spiritual heroines." - Anna-Maria Dell'oso, Sydney Morning Herald.

"This film vividly captures the living spirit of Mary MacKillop." - Sr Mary Cresp RSJ, Congregational Leader of Sisters of St Joseph.

0 Shares Tweet0 Pins

Related files

• preview Click here to download MARY study guide (PDF 3.5 Mb)