Nau mau haere mai, kia tau te rangimārie ki a koutou kātoa
– May peace be with you all!
Celebration Sunday was established to commemorate and celebrate the life, spirituality and good works of Venerable Meri Hōhepa Suzanne Aubert. The impact of Mother Aubert’s kindness, wisdom and compassion is still felt across Aotearoa New Zealand, especially through the work of the Sisters of Compassion, and the wider Compassion Whanau, who strive to feed the hungry, give shelter to the poor, and take care of the vulnerable.
On this day, we are reminded of the legacy of this amazing woman and why we continue to pray for her beatification.
READINGS FOR THE 27 TH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME:
First Reading: Habakkuk 1:2-3,2:2-4
‘The upright man will live by his faithfulness.’
Psalm: 94(95):1-2,6-9
‘If today you hear his voice, harden not your hearts.’
Second Reading: 2 Timothy1:6-8,13-14
‘Never be ashamed of witnessing to our Lord.’
Alleluia verse: 1 Peter 1:25
‘The word of the Lord stands forever; it is the word given to you, the Good News.’
Gospel: Luke 17:5-10
“We are merely servants.”
As we find ourselves journeying together as Pilgrims of Hope, these resources are grounded in that sacred theme. Meri Hōhepa Suzanne Aubert spoke about both pilgrimage and hope, and we pray that you will hear her voice throughout these resources.
The readings of Mass invite us into the virtues of duty and humility, reminding us that our faith in God strengthens and sustains us. Mother Aubert lived these truths with grace, and her life’s journey stands as a powerful witness to the hope and purpose we find in walking with God.
You are invited to mark Celebration Sunday for Venerable Meri Hōhepa Suzanne Aubert on the 5th of October in a variety of ways. Firstly, a special Prayer of the Faithful could be included at Mass. You could publish an article or our reflection in newsletters, and you could make these resources and prayer materials available to your community.
On behalf of Sister Margaret Anne Mills, Congregational Leader, the Sisters of Compassion Congregation, and Te Pūaroha, the Compassion Whanau, we thank you for your ongoing support and would like to wish you a very happy Celebration Sunday!
PRAYER OF THE FAITHFUL
E te Atua o te Pūaroha – God of Compassion
As we unite in prayer across Aotearoa New Zealand on this Celebration Day,
we pray in thanksgiving for the life of Venerable Meri Hōhepa Suzanne Aubert.
We pray that her faith, her courage, and compassionate love will live on in us all.
E te Ariki: Whakarongo mai rā ki a mātou
PRAYER FOR THE BEATIFICATION OF SUZANNE AUBERT
Lord Jesus Christ,
You taught us that as often as we show compassion to the least of our brothers and sisters, we show it to you.
Hear our prayer that Venerable Meri Hōhepa Suzanne Aubert, who came to Aotearoa New Zealand to be
with Māori, and dedicated her life to caring for those in poverty and in need, may soon be recognised by the
Church as a saint.
Amen.
HE ĪNOI MŌ TE HĀTOTANGA O MERI HŌHEPA
E te Ariki e Hēhu Karaiti,
Nāu mātou i whakaako mēnā ka puaki atu mātou i te pūaroha mō te iti, arā, ngā tēina, ngā tuākana, ngā
tuāhine me ngā tungāne, kātahi ka whakaatu mātou i te pūaroha ki ā koe.
Whakarongo mai ki ā mātou īnoi mō Te Kahurangi nei a Meri Hōhepa, i haere mai ia ki Aotearoa, ki
te iwi Māori, ā, i whakatapua tōna oranga ki te hunga rawakore me te hunga whai oranga, nā kia
whakamanatia ia e te Hāhi hei hāto.
Āmene.
CLOSING PRAYER
Kia īnoi tatou, Let us pray:
God of Compassion, may we be lead by you, and the
example of the life of Venerable Meri
Hōhepa Suzanne Aubert,
Take us to the ones who hurt,
May we see you in every face,
May we hear you in every voice,
May we welcome you in each relationship,
May we give freely with true generosity,
May we look upon ourselves with love and with a belief
that we too need tending and care.
Loving God, move through us, that we may know
the strength that comes from living united in your
compassionate love.
We ask this prayer through Christ our Lord,
Amen.
NEWSLETTER NOTICE: CELEBRATION SUNDAY 2025
“Jesus walks alongside us on the road of life.”
“E hīkoi ngātahi ana a Īhu me tātou i te huarahi o
te ora.”
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-Meri Hōhepa Suzanne Aubert
This weekend at our Masses, we join with the Sisters
of Compassion, and all the peoples of Aotearoa New
Zealand, to celebrate the life of Venerable Suzanne
Aubert Meri Hōhepa. Following her example, in this
year of wpilgrimage, let us be aware of the presence of
God in our life’s journey, and see Jesus in all who we
encounter along the way.
REFLECTION
You are invited to sit in stillness with Meri Hōhepa Suzanne Aubert.
Me īnoi tatou / Let us pray
“Jesus walks alongside us on the road of life.”
As you pray and reflect on our theme of pilgrimage,
bring to mind those journeys you have taken in your life.
Breathe in and breathe out, giving yourself time to relax
into the memories and images that come to mind.
• Do you recall a journey that could be described as a pilgrimage?
• Was there a special purpose intended for the journey?
• Who journeyed with you?
• Did you have a sense that Jesus was walking by your side?
• Reflect upon the ways that God made Himself known to you along the way.
• What feelings or thoughts arise when you think about this pilgrimage?
• What did you learn on your journey – about God, yourself and others?
• How have the insights or experiences from that journey, shaped the way you walk your path today?
“ Life is a journey by road. On the way we travel, the dust is thick and the shade is scarce. Let us know how to select the best place to halt to bathe our eyes, to shake off the dust that covers us, and to wash our sore feet.”
– Venerable Meri Hōhepa Suzanne Aubert
PRAYER TO SUZANNE AUBERT
E Meri Hōhepa te Kahurangi, tō tātou whaea
e Hūhana, e whakawhetai ana ahau
mō tōu ngākau pūaroha e whakatauria nei i te āhua
o te noho a Maria ki ngā rekereke o te Rīpeka.
Arahina ahau i ahau e whai ana i tōu tauira:
kia mākohakoha , te ngoikore nei,
kia taringa areare ki te reo karanga
o taumaha hārukiruki,
kia whakawhetai, kia hari, kia maioha.
Tohua mai te ara ora i whaia e koe,
i runga i te māhaki me te māia me te whakamanawa,
tuari hoki i tēnei taonganui o te pūaroha.
Mā te Karaiti tō mātou Ariki.
Āmene.
Venerable Meri Hōhepa, our mother Suzanne
I give thanks for your compassionate heart modelled
on Mary at the foot of the Cross.
Guide me as I seek to follow your way:
to be kind without weakness,
to be open to the call of suffering,
to be gracious, joyful and welcoming.
Help me live as you lived, with humility and courage,
treasuring and sharing the gift of compassion te
pūaroha.
Through Christ our Lord.
Amen.
– Written by Father James Lyons
