Thursday, July 17, 2008

The Pope, The Nun and The Peacemaker


Okay, last post on WYD although the appearance of the Pope today was tantamount to that of a Rock Star and he spoke quite well on issues that really don't have anything to do with religion. The faithful clamoured for a glimpse, he endured a boatercaid and a motorcaid, endured three indigenous (can't sing can't dance) cultural events and Kevin 07's speech at Goverment House. He even managed to stay awake for our National Anthem and gave a brief address to 145,000 pilgrims (the rest had to deal with live sites cos there wasn't enough room at the harbourside venue). The cheeky chap did however, give a hint that we might be in the running for our first Saint. I knew he was a big tease!

On a green hill, about 5 kms from my house is St Joseph's 'retreat' formerly Convent on Mary McKillop Drive which wends its way through the McMansions of Bella Vista. Today it's patronised largely by Vietnamese nuns training to take their teaching skills across the globe. But not too long ago, it was the retreat of Sister Mary McKillop. She's Australia's only potential Saint. I say potential because she's been Beatified but needs a miracle to convert her to sainthood . . . not an easy ask in today's modern world. Actually, according to the rules she needs two to prove her point. Today Il Papa told the faithful of the McKillop order in North Sydney that she would be cannonised . . "We are just waiting for the miracle". Well I have a feeling he might be waiting a while unless praying to the good Mary McKillop can win me the lottery, halt global warming, depose Robert Mugabe and put a black man in the white house by December. (Cynical? Moi? pelease!)

Now in years gone by, conducting a miracle wasn't so hard. Reanimating someone from a catatonic coma became raising the dead, turning water into wine perhaps a slight of hand, walking on water a trick of the eye. But in her entire ministry, poor Mary did not witness, cause or receive a miracle.

Mary McKillop was born in Melbourne in 1842. Her father had spent the family fortune, so the McKillops were poor. Mary left home to work when she was fourteen and gave all the money she earned to her family. In 1861 she went to work in Penola, a small town in South Australia. Here Mary met Father Julian Woods. Mary felt a religious calling, but hadn't been able to find an order that suited her. I rather like the idea of a potential novitiate going shopping for an appropriate religious order. Consequently, in 1866, she and Father Woods thought, in true Aussie style "bugga the mainstream we'll start our own" and established 'The Sisters of St. Joseph'.

Mary was a woman who stood up for what she believed which brought her into conflict with religious leaders. The tension escalated into conflict over educational matters and as a result Mary was excommunicated by Bishop Shiel for insubordination in 1871. The excommunication placed on her was lifted 6 months later.

In 1883, Mary came into conflict with the Roman Catholic Church establishment by insisting on an egalitarian rather than hierarchical organization. Bishop Reynolds told her to leave his diocese and Mary transferred the headquarters of the Josephites in Sydney and died in Sydney on 8 August, 1909.

In 1973, Mother Mary became the first Australian to be formally proposed to Rome as a candidate for canonization and she was beatified by Pope John Paul II at St Francis' Church on 27th November, 1994. Since the Canon law reform of 1983, one miracle must be proven to have taken place through the intercession. A difficult task these days for a feminist nun who pissed off the mainstream Church. There's no doubt this was one tough nun but without a miracle . . .she remains just one tough nun - it's enough to try the patience of a saint!

Here endeth the final lesson . . go in peace! (I'm rather getting into this theology thing . . .Bahai looks appealing!)

Oh and because I've been focussing on all things religious this week, I'm a bit short of a Friday Fuckwit . . nominations close 6.00pm my time . . .that's the day before in the morning your time or two hours ahead if you're in NZ or Antarctica.

Extra extra . . .had a meeting with the most annoying paraplanner in the world and Jaime today. Very uncomfortable but left everyone in no doubt as to where I stand in the company "I IZ DA BIG CHEEZ" . . no tears, no tantrums, constructive criticism all round and resolved conflict for now . . very productive . . I am the PEACEMAKER! Yeay me! Happy claps and back slaps please!

17 comments:

laughingwolf said...

pats/claps to you, but not the 'clap' :O

at first boo, looked like she was holding a straight razor, in the pic....

Ces Adorio said...

That would be fitting for Australia's saint - a renegade and an anti-establishment. Heheh. Go tell it to the Pope. The bunyip has better chance of creating a miracle. Oops. Blasphemy. This is my only visit and already I am back to my old "erejes" self. The Sister's pretty though.

Thriftcriminal said...

Woohoo, go Baino. Ra ra ra ra ra.

I like the look of Taoism personally, the Lao Tzu version rather then that dodgey tantric business that came along later. Bahai = white mice?

Anonymous said...

"I knew he was a big tease"

I LOVE that.

'Baino the Peacemaker'

Or maybe that should that read...

Saint Baino :lol:

Georgina said...

Maybe you are destined to become Australia's first saint, after all you iz da big cheeeze and peacemaker. Debs x

Baino said...

Thanks LW . . you are everywhere! She doesn't look like someone to be messed with eh?

Ello Ms Ces . . .blasphemy indeed . . despite my 'religious' theme this week, I'm not . .keep the 'erejes' coming!

Aww Thrifty. . fanks pal. God, now I'll have to extend my research beyond the conventional. Trust you to initiate a challenge . . .tantric . . are we talking purism here or the sexy bits. Bahai my dear boy is an acknowledgement that all the prophets and their teachings lead to God, they just arrived in different cultures at different times. *off to research* or bed . .yeh . .I think bed!

Baino said...

Steph isn't is something like blessed are the cheesemakers?

Debs thanks for the leap of faith but . . .and yeh . .ah iz da big cheeze fo shizzle! And the only miracle I'm capable of is turning my duck pond of a swimmning pool into crystal by November! It shall be done.

Anonymous said...

First off I thought that was a picture of you lol

Second, the last bit is your miracle! ;)

Melissa said...

Oh, I loved this post! And I really like Mother Mary after reading all this about her! "We are just waiting for the miracle" hee hee ... that's funny. :) This week the Dalai Lama was in town and I missed him. Sniff, sniff. :(

And hooray for Peace Maker Baino (stands clapping and grinning and hollering hurrah)!

Anonymous said...

"she remains just one tough nun - it's enough to try the patience of a saint" poor woman! Happy claps from me to you for being the big cheese :)

Anonymous said...

Baino, if I may, you have a fine blog and I'm glad to be on it. But everyone here will die in the Rapture unless you give all of your money to the New Order of Branch Davidians and join me in Texas where we will blast into space on my hoverbike.

That's the plan. I could just piss off to Thailand with the money either but you'll have to take that chance ...

Baino said...

Haha Melissa . . That Llama gets around, he was here a couple of weeks ago ..

Anony thanks. Worked out well and she hasn't annoyed anyone for a whole day . . .

David Koresh . .what can I say . . .much as I'd love to join you, couldn't possibly be Texas. The money's here . . come and pick it up! How 'bout we capture the rapture and both go to Thailand?

Paddy in BA (Quickroute) said...

Been watching the BBC and CNN reports of the Popes visit here - We're all waiting with baited breath for the apology or not as probably is the case.

b.t.w. Well done!

Baino said...

There have been 'indications' from the Vatican press office hat there may not be a spoken papal apology to top it all in relation to a high profile sexual abuse case here at the moment, World Youth Day co-ordinator, Bishop Anthony Fisher, caused a bit of a rucus after stating that some people were "dwelling crankily … on old wounds".. Quickie . . I wouldn't hold your breath.

laughingwolf said...

old wuffs be magickal, baino :O lol

Anonymous said...

The first qualification for being a saint is, of course, being a Roman Catholic - Bonhoeffer and Martin Luther King, two of the twentieth century's greatest Christians are no-runners.

Baino said...

Is that true? What about The Society of King Charles the Martyr,dedicated to and under the patronage of King Charles I of England (19 November 1600–30 January 1649), who, I read, was the only person to be canonized by the Church of England after the English Reformation. Then my source is a bit dodgy!