The spirit of Suzanne Aubert lives on in all we do.

We make a lifetime commitment to live in communities – “to care with compassion” / Te Rauhi I Runga I te Pūaroha – and work with others to respond to the changing needs of the people we serve.

Vision

A people, following the karanga/call of Christ, in the spirit of Suzanne Aubert.

Mission

To bring the wairua/spirit of love, care and compassion to all.

It gives life and shapes all that we are about in our service to the community. It encompasses:

Fidelity to the Sisters of Compassion
Dignity of people
Those we serve and those who serve with us
Sensitivity to all cultural values
Jesus’ mission is brought to reality through every co-worker of the Sisters of Compassion.

Philosophy

We place a high value on:

  • Every person is created by God. Everyone is unique and loved
  • Every person has basic right to life, respect and honour
  • Our founder Suzanne Aubert, her dependence on Divine Providence and her stand for the oppressed and powerless
  • The earth is our primary resource
  • A spirit of accountability to our mission and resources
  • Our homes and centres are being called to help and support each other in achieving our goals and standards

Values

  • Divine Providence – He Manaakitanga Atua Tapu
    Let us do our part and let God do his
  • Simplicity – He ngāwaritanga
    We work in an open and simple manner
  • Action with the poor – Ngā awhina ki ngā rawakore
    Our primary concern is to support the most disadvantaged
  • Justice – He tika o ngā tāngata ki ngā tāngata
    We recognise the rights and intrinsic good of all
  • Partnership – Te Kotahitanga
    We will develop and nurture partnerships

Symbols

Medal

The medal worn by the Sisters of Compassion from their First Profession of Vows was designed by Suzanne Aubert on the founding of the Congregation. On the front of the medal, we see Mary standing at the foot of the cross with the inscription “He died for us”. This is to remind the Sisters to offer themselves with Mary to Jesus. On the reverse side, we see the seven swords to represent the seven sorrows of Mary which she endured during her lifetime. The inscription is “Our Lady of Compassion, pray for us”.

Bone carving

The bone carving was designed by Sister Annette Green in 1992 to mark the Centenary of the Congregation. She drew her inspiration from our own crest. Most of the 120 bone pendants or brooches for the Sisters were carved by our Compassion Soup Kitchen client, Noel Minogue. Each design element is symbolic.

Crest

Two designs of the crest and motto were originally submitted to Suzanne Aubert in 1920 and then, in the 1940s, novice Therese Caldwell submitted nine small sketches. In 1955 Father Maurice Mulcahy translated the motto Caritas et Sacrificio (Love in Sacrifice) as “the love of God in Himself, and in others, exercised in the sacrifice of self, to the disregard of self”.