The nun, who worked hard to form the order of the Sisters of St Joseph in 1866, will officially be canonised in Rome on October 17.

The school staff and students are now gearing up to attend the canonisation ceremony in the holy city.

Altona college principal Cath Dillon, Sister Clare McDermott and students were joined by a Sisters of St Joseph Victorian provincial leadership team to celebrate the historic announcement late last month.

"We were absolutely delighted that our school was selected as the meeting point," Ms Dillon said.

"There are only four congregational schools owned by the Sisters of St Joseph - the order started by Mary MacKillop - in Australia and ours is the only Victoria-based one.

"We've all been eagerly awaiting the news, especially the girls who are very proud," Ms Dillon said.

Sister Clare, who has lived at Mount St Joseph for eight years, said: "It's been a long-awaited moment [the Pope's announcement] and at last we have that date [of canonisation].

"I think being in a Josephite school has been a real privilege for me at this stage of my life and I'm touched by the enthusiasm surrounding our young people.

"I was also amazed by the many people who contacted me, mainly non-Catholics, who all said, 'It must be great for you to be there right in the hub of it.'

"I'm very easy-going and even though it's [the Pope's confirmation] been coming and coming, just being part of this has made me even more excited about the whole thing".

Ms Dillon said preparations were well under way for the school to mark the the special occasion in Rome.

"We are geared towards October 17 and celebrating that as a community."

Mount St Joseph will send staff and students to Rome for the canonisation, but sadly for Sister Clare, she will not be among them.

"By my own choice I'm not going to Rome [as] I have a few health problems and I know I wouldn't be able to cope," she said. "Why put your name down and deprive somebody else of going?"

Sister Clare said it was more than a miracle that had led to Mary MacKillop's canonisation.

"People have to remember that Mary MacKillop was not a miracle worker; she is a saint because of the life she led and the people she helped under extreme conditions and most of those conditions came from the church."