Flora MacKillop: A Truly Blessed Mother

Flora (MacDonald) MacKillop (1816-1886) arrived in Melbourne from Scotland in 1840 and in July of that year she married Alexander MacKillop. St Mary of the Cross was the eldest of their eight children. From promising beginnings family and fortunes declined demanding of Flora courage, patience and forbearance. Her deep faith and trust in God sustained her through the poverty, hardship and times of homelessness when she and her family depended on relatives for a home. While St Mary acknowledged her mother's example and influence, Flora was able to call herself 'a truly blessed mother', as she said herself, she had 'raised all her children for the glory of God'.

Bernadette O'Sullivan RSJ is a member of the Sisters of St Joseph of the Sacred Heart. She holds a B.A. and a B.Ec. from the University of New England and a M.Stud.Ed, from the University of Wollongong. She served in education for many years and has held administrative positions in her Congregration. She is currently a pastoral worker in the small town of Nimmitabel NSW.