Faithful flock to hail Mary of the Cross … but only in 255 characters or less
AS DIGITAL light filters through pixilated dust, 15 animated roses appear superimposed on the tomb. Another mouse click and a window opens: ''Enter your prayer,'' it reads, ''(maximum 255 characters).''
This is the website of the Sisters of St Joseph. Since Mary MacKillop was canonised a fortnight ago, it has attracted more than 6000 prayers.
''We actually don't pray to Mary MacKillop. We pray to God through Mary MacKillop's intercession,'' the website's congregational co-ordinator, Sister Annette Arnold, explained. ''It's an important distinction. That's where people say you get into idolatry.''
The website provides an insight into the private ritual of prayer. Catholics pray to MacKillop for everything from $430,000 house settlements to workplace litigation; for student visas ''to come through before our semester commences in your homecountry, Australia''....