THE family of Sydney schoolgirl Sophie Delezio, who survived two serious car crashes and horrendous burns, say they believe Mother Mary MacKillop saved her life.

"We had a lot of people praying for a miracle of survival for Sophie and we believe Mary was a part of that," Sophie's mother Carolyn told Channel Nine.

Sophie, now nine years old, almost died in 2003 after a car crashed into her Sydney childcare centre and caught fire, maiming her and causing burns to 85 per cent of her body.

She lost both her feet, some fingers and her right ear.

About two and a half years later, tragedy struck for the second time.

Sophie was hit by a car on a pedestrian crossing as she was being pushed home from school in a stroller.

During both ordeals, her family prayed to Mary MacKillop, and are certain the Australian nun was responsible for their daughter's survival.

Mother Mary has become such a big part of the family's life, her picture can be found throughout their house, and they've also travelled to Rome for her canonisation ceremony at St Paul's Basilica on Sunday, making her Australia's first saint.

Asked if she believed her daughter's survival was a miracle, Carolyn Delezio simply said: "Absolutely."

Sophie's father Ron said it dawned on the family during a hospital visit.

"We saw our surgeon walk out of the room with his hands in the air, and he's not necessarily a religious person, and said it was a miracle, it was a miracle, I think was a big point in our life," he said.

Now, when Sophie returns to hospital for her operations, she believes Mother Mary is right there with her, with Carolyn reminding her each time: "Be brave and remember that Mary MacKillop is always by your side."

Sophie's older brother Mitchell is also a believer.

"I reckon a miracle is something no-one expected to happen, for example, Sophie is one of Mary MacKillop's miracles and she survived from Mary MacKillop," he said.

And Sophie is also convinced.

Asked if she thought she was a Mary MacKillop miracle, she replied: "Well, really, well yes, sometimes."