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Shrine · Australia

Mary MacKillop Penola Centre and 1867 Schoolhouse

Penola, South Australia, Australia

MuseumShrineCatholic Australia collection

Why pilgrims come

What makes this Catholic place significant

The principal Penola pilgrimage complex interprets the 1866 co-founding of the Sisters of Saint Joseph by Mary MacKillop and Fr. Julian Tenison Woods and preserves the purpose-built 1867 schoolhouse.

Primary sacred connectionSt. Mary of the Cross MacKillopco-founder and teacher
Research trail1 catalog sourceVerification date not listed
Pilgrim planningConfirm before travelingWorship times and access can change
TraditionCatholic

The sacred connection

People and objects remembered here

These relationships are part of the destination record, with feast days and catalog qualifications shown where available.

SaintSt. Mary of the Cross MacKillop

co-founder and teacher

Feast: August 8

What to notice

Look closely at the place and its story

01

Birthplace of the Josephite mission

Understand how free Catholic education for rural children became a distinct Australian religious institute.

02

Schoolhouse and interpretation

See the historic classroom alongside exhibitions on Mary, Fr. Woods and early Josephite education.

Feasts, anniversaries & celebrations

Feast of St. Mary of the Cross MacKillopConnected to this place through co-founder and teacher.

How to read this page

Sources, tradition, and what is verified

Source trail1 cited catalog source

No verification date is listed, so current visitor details should be confirmed directly.

Editorial standard

This page records the site’s tradition as “Catholic.” That wording describes the nature of the claim and keeps devotional tradition distinct from independently verified history.