St Mary MacKillop: Falsely Accused

Today in the book In Caelo et in Terra, we read about St Mary MacKillop. She was from Scotland, but moved to Australia with her family when she was very young. She started working as a teacher in a boarding school at the age of 14. Then she became a religious sister and founded an order of religious who helped the poor of Australia. As often happens with saints, she was falsely accused of various things, including stealing money from her own order. She was even excommunicated over the affair, but instead of attacking those who accused her, she prayed for them. The truth eventually came out (it always does) and she was replaced as head of her order and fully reconciled to the church. She spent many years after that doing good for others, especially the poor. You can read more about her here.

Have you ever been falsely accused? I have, and I can tell you it isn't fun. But let's remember the great example given to us by this wonderful woman, and love those who attack us.

God, thanks for her great example of loving our enemies. St Mary MacKillop, pray for us.