The Mary MacKillop Story

On January 19 1995 Mary Mackillop was officially beatified by Pope John Paul II. 15 years later his successor Pope Benedict XVI finally confirmed her sainthood - Australia's first.

Born to Scottsh migrants in 1842, Mary was acutely aware of the plight facing the impoverished lower classes in colonial Australia.

Her love of humanity, a belief that everybody deserved a fair go and her calling to the religious life saw her, with guidance from Father Julian Tennison Woods, and only in her early 20's, establish the order of the sisters of St Joseph. One hundred years later the order continues to bring enlightenment and knowledge to hundreds and thousand of people around the world.

Dramatic recreations of Mary MacKillops life, integrated with commentary from historical consultant Father Peter Grumpel; broadcaster and biographer Clare Dunne; and sisters Margaret McKenna and Maria Foale from the sisters of St Joeseph clearly demonstrate the commitment of Mary, to the education of all people regardless of race, social status or religious belief. Spanning sixty years, the breadth of Australia, and to the grandeur of Rome in the late 19th Century, MARY: THE MARY MACKILLOP STORY pays tribute to one of Australia's greatest battlers and the nations very first saints.