Mary MacKillop to be named Aussie's first saint

ROME - Mary MacKillop is expected to be named Australia's first saint by Pope Benedict XVI on Saturday.

Australia's ambassador to the Holy See Tim Fischer said on Friday that while no official decision has been made, the Vatican has indicated it will make an announcement around midday (2200 AEDT) on Saturday.

"There is advice that an announcement is expected in relation to the cause of Blessed Mary MacKillop around the middle of the day on Saturday, 19 December 2009, from the Holy See, but I emphasise that there has been no decision to date and this advice is predicated on a decision yet to be formally made with regard to the second miracle and the relevant decree," Mr Fischer said in a statement.

Mr Fischer added any announcement about the canonisation of Mother Mary is subject to the Pope making a final decision on the matter.

The Congregation for the Causes of Saints - a secretive body of cardinals, was understood to be considering Mother Mary's sainthood before making a recommendation to the Pope.

Before someone can be canonised, the Catholic church has to recognise that they performed two miracles.

The Vatican confirmed Mother Mary's first miracle in 1971, saying it was believed she had cured a woman of leukaemia in the 1950s.

She was beatified by Pope John Paul II in 1995.

While the Vatican remains secretive about the details of miracles to, in part, protect the healed, it is believed the second miracle needed for beatification involved the healing of a woman with leukaemia.

If the Pope announces confirmation of Mother Mary's second miracle, he will pave the way for her canonisation in 2010 in St Peter's Basilica.

Mother Mary, who died in 1909, is well known for her disputes with some church authorities over the Sisters of St Joseph she established in order to focus on educational work.

- AAP