Mary MacKillop and a Nest of Crosses

Title: "Mary MacKillop and a Nest of Crosses: Correspondence with Fr Julian Tenison Woods, 1869-1872"

Author: Edited by Sheila McCreanor

Overview:

"Mary MacKillop and a Nest of Crosses" is a collection of letters written by Saint Mary MacKillop, the co-founder of the Sisters of St Joseph of the Sacred Heart, to Fr Julian Tenison Woods between 1869 and 1872. The book provides a detailed insight into the life and spiritual journey of Mary MacKillop during a tumultuous period in her life, including her excommunication in September 1871.

Key Themes:

1. Spiritual Guidance: The letters reveal the ongoing spiritual instruction and guidance Mary MacKillop received from Fr Woods, which played a crucial role in her development as a leader and a saint.
2. Excommunication: The book delves into the circumstances leading up to Mary's excommunication, including strained relationships within the Order and opposition from some Australian clergy and bishops.
3. Leadership Challenges: The absence of Mary MacKillop from Adelaide while she was in Queensland establishing new schools created leadership voids within the Order, which contributed to the tensions and conflicts.
4. Mysticism and Visions: The book discusses the issue of false mysticism among some Sisters, which added to the Order's problems. This included reports of visions and the theft of the Blessed Sacrament by a Sister who believed she was having visions.

Plot Summary:

• Background: The book begins with Mary MacKillop preparing to leave Adelaide with the first community of Sisters for Queensland in 1869. During her absence, she received numerous letters from Fr Woods, who continued to provide spiritual guidance and discuss plans for future ministries.
• Excommunication: The letters detail the events leading up to Mary's excommunication in September 1871. This included reports of sexual abuse allegations involving Franciscan priests, which led to tensions within the Order and opposition from some clergy.
• Spiritual Resilience: Despite these challenges, Mary MacKillop's letters reveal her unwavering faith and spiritual resilience. She consistently expressed her trust in God and the rules of the Order, even after her excommunication.

Critical Reception:

• Editor's Insights: Sr Sheila McCreanor, the editor, has compiled four books of Mary MacKillop's letters. In an interview, she highlighted the saint's "amazing, impenetrable faith" and how her letters provide a powerful insight into her growth as a woman, a Sister of St Joseph, and a saint.
• Launch and Reception: The book was launched at the Mary MacKillop Centre in Kensington, South Australia, and received positive reviews for its clarity on the circumstances leading up to and during Mary's excommunication.

Publication Details:

• Publisher: Freedom Publishing Books
• Publication Date: Not specified in the search results, but it is mentioned that the book was launched in June 2011.
• Price: $34.95 (available in limited quantities).

This collection of letters offers a unique perspective on the life and spiritual journey of Saint Mary MacKillop, providing valuable insights into her leadership, faith, and the historical context of her excommunication.