Mary MacKillop's Road to Canonisation

Sunday October 17th, 2010, is the proposed date for the Canonisation of Mary MacKillop and the excitement is building in the historic town of Penola, which is located in The Limestone Coast, South East of South Australia.

Penola's connection to Mary MacKillop is well recognised within the St Joseph's Church precinct which includes the dedicated Mary MacKillop Penola Centre and the Woods MacKillop Schoolhouse.

Already, thousands of pilgrims have visited this site during the years leading up to the proposed Canonisation and Penola and the surrounding area are gearing up to host the thousands who are expected to flock to Penola before, during and after the Canonisation.

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Whilst in Penola, visit Penola & Coonawarra Visitor Centre, located in Arthur Street to learn more about the history and the local attractions, ehancing your experience to make your visit memorable.
Email: penola@wattlerange.sa.gov.au
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Mary MacKillop - The Beginning in Penola

Mary MacKillop came to Penola in 1860 to be governess to the children of her aunt and uncle, Margaret and Alexander Cameron.

While she was at the station teaching her cousins, Mary visited the homes of the station's workmen where the women and children were often on their own for weeks at a time whilst the men were away working.  She saw the need for an education for these isolated children and included them in her lessons.

Mary rode a horse into Mass at Penola and there she met the Parish Priest, Father Julian Tenison Woods. Together they talked about the need for an education system for the children of the working class people of early Australia.  Their dream began of founding a free education system to meet that need.

Mary commenced teaching in a stable in 1866 while Father Woods arranged for the building of a Schoolhouse. She put on the simple black dress to indicate her desire to give her life to God in the service of his people.

She moved into the Schoolhouse in 1867. A report in Mount Gambier's Border Watch newspaper in June stated that an examination of the pupils took place and the examiners were 'well satisfied with their progress.'

The Mary MacKillop Penola Centre

The Mary MacKIllop Penola Centre was opened on 31 May 1998. It was funded by the Archdiocese of Adelaide assisted by a grant from Tourism SA.

Architect Michael Fielder's design was chosen from 73 entries in a National competition. Throughout the building windows and glass panels provide views of the surrounds and the whole effect is one of tranquillity and contemplation.

A serene public space was created linking the schoolhouse, church and shrine.  The centrepiece of the public space is a billabong or reflective pool surrounded by a native garden.

Within the building are two major exhibitions on Mary MacKillop and Father Julian Tenison Woods explaining the lives of these two remarkable people. They met in Penola in 1860 and it was here that their dream began of founding a free education system for the isolated children of early Australia.

The Mary MacKillop Gallery

 

Inside the Mary MacKillop Gallery is a replica of the stable school where Mary started teaching in Penola. There is also a plank of wood from the actual stable.

The Woods Gallery

 

Father Woods was a Priest and scientist who spent 10 years as Parish Priest of the Penola district an isolated 22000 square mile area of South Eastern Australia. Inside the Woods Gallery is the Goudey collection of fossils which were named by Father Woods.

St Josephs Church Penola

The foundation stone of the present church was laid in January  and  completed in August 1924. It was built on the site of the original church commissioned by Father Woods. Extensions to the church were completed in 1954.

Mary MacKillop Shrine at St Joseph's Church Penola

The blue glass shrine was added to the church in 1998. It features a beautiful stained glass window of Mary MacKillop by the late artist John Orval.

The Woods MacKillop Schoolhouse

The Woods MacKillop Schoolhouse is a heritage listed building of local, national and international significance.

Father Julian Tenison Woods arranged for the schoolhouse to be built and gained approval to raise a bank loan. He chose 5 parishioners to act as guarantors for the loan.

Mary MacKIllop moved into the new school in 1867. There is a record of the names of pupils who attended the school. Inside is an exhibition about early education and the Josephites. Visiting school children can sit at the desks and experience the slates and writing the letters and numbers as they were taught in early Australia.

View inside the Woods MacKillop Schoolhouse

This view with visitors shows the mannequin dressed in the nun's habit, the teacher's desk and children's desks in the school room.

For more information on Penola's day of celebrations

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To find accommodation at Penola, Coonawarra or within given driving times of Penola

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