Crowds at MacKillop tomb applaud St Mary

Pilgrims at Mary MacKillop's resting place in Sydney have erupted with applause and
cheers in celebration of her recognition as Australia's first saint.
Some 2000 people seated around a large screen beaming the historic moment into Mary
MacKillop Place in North Sydney roared as Pope Benedict XVI called her name shortly
around 7.45pm (AEDT) during the rite of canonisation.
The crowd had been sitting quietly, watching in anticipation and joined the Pope in
a 20 minute Litany of the Saints, a prayer to saints of the church asking their
intercession from God for the new saints to be proclaimed.
"It was lovely I'm so glad I was here," Dianna Georges told AAP seconds after the
formal canonisation.
The mother of three from Croydon was cradling her three-week-old baby Elyssa Anne
Mary, named after Saint Mary.
"Hopefully Mary MacKillop will keep her safe and protect her throughout her life,"
she said.
"It's so good that she has been recognised, for all her good work."