Rau Tau Pūaroha
One hundred years ago, Meri Hōhepa Suzanne Aubert, an extraordinary woman, left us, leaving an indelible mark on New Zealand. Her legacy of compassion has supported the most vulnerable members of our community, and it is this legacy we celebrate throughout 2026.
Many events are planned as part of our Rau Tau Pūaroha | Celebrate Compassion 2026 programme, and to honour Meri Hōhepa, a centennial candle will be present, symbolising her enduring influence and continued presence in our lives.
Events 2026
11 January
The Centennial Candle was blessed by the Bishop of Auckland, Stephen Lowe,
during the annual Tōtara Point Mass in Hokianga, Northland—a ceremony that
commemorates the first Catholic Mass celebrated in Aotearoa New Zealand in 1838
by Bishop Jean Baptiste François Pompallier. That celebration not only marked
the beginning of Catholic liturgical presence in the country but also represented
an encounter with tangata whenua.
The Centennial Candle
The blessing of the candle marked a moment of great significance, as it was
Bishop Pompallier who, 22 years after that historic Mass, invited the young
Suzanne Aubert to come to Aotearoa New Zealand to work alongside Māori.
This historical connection makes it especially fitting that our journey of
commemoration begins in the very place where Pompallier took such significant
steps in our country—steps that later led to the presence of the woman who
would become the founder of the Daughters of Our Lady of Compassion.
6 February
We will officially launch our Year of Compassion at the annual Waitangi Day Mass
on Friday, 6 February, at 9:00 am at St Mary of the Angels Church, Wellington. Meri Hōhepa Suzanne Aubert often walked to this beautiful church to worship.
March
Hiruhārama | Jerusalem was officially re-opened with a Mass and blessing after the
completion of renovated and restored elements at the convent and church site. Representatives from Pakipaki, the Catholic Diocese and the Home of Compassion in Island Bay were welcomed onto the marae, a truly significant moment in the history of the congregation.
June
June 19th is Meri Hōhepa Suzanne Aubert’s birthday. We will celebrate with a Mass in the Chapel of Our Lady of Compassion at 9am, followed by refreshments at the Home of Compassion. All are welcome to join us.
On June 20th, you are invited to our special event: Venerable Meri Hōhepa Suzanne Aubert – An Afternoon with Jessie Munro. Jessie’s talk about the life and work of Suzanne Aubert begins at 2pm. For your free ticket to this event, please go to Eventfinda.com.
September
Did you know that Suzanne Aubert wrote the first Te Reo Māori Phrasebook? Look out for our social media posts recognising this accomplishment during Te Reo Māori Language Week.
October
A Hīkoi connecting Māori Eucharistic Communities and their Meri Hōhepa Suzanne
Aubert links will make its way towards Island Bay.
100 Year Centennial Mass at St Mary of the Angels, Wellington. We will begin the day at the Home of Compassion where the Catholic Bishops of New Zealand will bless a gift from mana whenua commemorating the event, and travel into Wellington where Mass will be celebrated by Archbishop Paul Martin SM.
