Evaluate the critical issues and motivational forces that shaped the actions of Mary Mackillop in the development of the Sisters of St Joseph
... that would of not escaped the notice of his eleven year old daughter, Mary. Mary was old enough to be taking an interest in the disputed matter of state support for religious schools, an issue about which she had decided views later on when establishing the Sister of St Joseph. The family’s financial situation, left little time in school for Mary to receive a proper education. As a result, it determined Mary’s prime function to provide “ every child, regardless of wealth, social position or race” an education, one that she missed out on. By the age of five, Mary was exposed to experiences of sorrow that were able to eventuate in even more strength and determination within her character. The death of a loved one is usually detrimental to a person’s character to question ones faith. It was one day in April 1847, Mary’s grandmother and one of her sons walked to the Mackillop house for a visit. Mary’s grandfather decided to stay home and fix a few things around the house. Shortly before his wife and son were due home, storm clouds began to gather, to which Mary’s grandfather underestimated the intensity of the force of the storm and set off to meet his wife and son half way. It was in the blinding rain; he stumbled down the steep slippery steps of the Darebin Creek and drowned. It was not until a few days later that her grandfather’s body was found drifting downstream towards the Mackillops house. The critical impact of this event was to be demonstrated by Mary’s sister Annie, who wrote half a century later “ she loved him very much and even last year reminded me with tears in her eyes of his birthday”. Mary was able to overcome this and remain truthful to herself, though the question was for how long? It was only six months later, this critical issue was once again relived with the death of her 11 month old brother Alick, who was never particularly healthy or strong. It was with the help of her mother who taught her to constantly have faith in divine providence despite the many adversities of her life. Even though poverty and the death of loved ones forced Mary to take up a great burden, through this, Mary was able to discover her connection with god which made her even stronger and more determined to defend her cause, the establishment of the Sisters of St Joseph. Motivational forces were significant in Mary Mackillops life as such forces encouraged her to take action to achieve her dreams. These forces included Mary’s father, Alexander Mackillop and the friendship formed between Mary and Father Julian Woods. A significant motivational force which encouraged Mary to take action to achieve her dreams was her father, Alexander Mackillop, who made a decision to quit his studies for priesthood. This incident constantly played on Mary’s mind, as in those days to abandon a religious life was something considered of a disgrace. From a mere child, Mary began to sense God had called her to take her fathers place, as stated by Mary “ From the time I came to understand that he had intended for the church, and had not preserved, I began to desire I could leave all I loved, and live for god alone”. Mary was able to remember her own family’s fluctuating fortunes, which encouraged her need even stronger to become a nun to help those struggling Australian families through education who were in a similar situation. It was not until 1861 whilst nineteen year old Mary was working as a governess on her uncle’s station at Penola, where she met a major motivational force, parish priest Father Julian Woods. From their earliest m...