The Resume

(January 15, 1842-August 8, 1909)
Born in Fitzroy, Victoria, Australia
Roman Catholic nun
Co-founded the Sisters of St. Joseph of the Sacred Heart (1867)
Canonized as St. Mary of the Cross (October 17, 2010)
Patron saint of Australia

Why she might be annoying:

She was excommunicated for insubordination (1871-72).
As a result, most of the schools run by the Josephites were closed.
After her trip to Rome to gain Papal approval for the Josephites, the co-founder of the order, Father Julian Woods, broke with her because she allowed the order's vow of poverty to be modified (1875).
She was temporarily exiled from the Josephites following allegations that she was an alcoholic (1882).

Why she might not be annoying:

At age 14, she became the family breadwinner, working as a governess and teacher after her father left for Scotland.
She founded schools for the poor, orphanages and homes for the aged and incurably ill.
Her motto was, 'Never see a need without doing something about it.'
Her excommunication had less to do with her behavior than a feud between Father Woods and supporters of Father Keating, a priest who was accused of sexually abusing children.
As a result, an American Jesuit group has proposed naming her the patron saint of abuse victims.
The allegations of alcohol abuse were based on her doctor prescribing brandy for dysmenorrhea (painful menstruation).
She learned to write left-handed after suffering a stroke that paralyzed her right side (1904).

Credit: C. Fishel

Featured in the following Annoying Collections:

• A Rose was Named in My Honor
• Born on Martin Luther King's Birthday [January 15th] (Ranked: 1842)
• C. Fishel's Profiles [Series 32]
• Celebrities Born on the Same Date [January] (Ranked: 1151842)
• Double M Initials
• I Have Rheumatoid Arthritis
• I am Left Handed - Female [M-Z]
• I Come from Oz
• I Died in 1909 (Ranked: 67)
• I Had a Stroke [Cerebral Vascular Accident]
• I Inspired a Musical
• I was Excommunicated
• I was Home Schooled
• Look at Me, I'm a Nun
• P.C.'s and Mac's
• People with John or Mary in their Names
• Profiles 30001-30250 (Ranked: 30145)
• Saints
• Teachers

Year In Review:

In 2023, Out of 273 Votes: 47.25% Annoying
In 2022, Out of 2 Votes: 0% Annoying
In 2021, Out of 13 Votes: 46.15% Annoying
In 2020, Out of 8 Votes: 25.00% Annoying
In 2019, Out of 104 Votes: 53.85% Annoying
In 2018, Out of 129 Votes: 46.51% Annoying
In 2017, Out of 12 Votes: 58.33% Annoying
In 2016, Out of 4 Votes: 75.00% Annoying
In 2015, Out of 41 Votes: 58.54% Annoying
In 2014, Out of 76 Votes: 61.84% Annoying
In 2013, Out of 29 Votes: 51.72% Annoying
In 2012, Out of 22 Votes: 27.27% Annoying
In 2011, Out of 25 Votes: 36.00% Annoying
In 2010, Out of 196 Votes: 44.39% Annoying