Caritas Aotearoa New Zealand has published its first Te Reo Māori version of the Lenten reflection programme, a booklet used for reflection, prayer and discussion of the Gospels during Lent.
Julianne Hickey, Director of Caritas Aotearoa New Zealand says the Catholic Church recognises the importance of ensuring that people can pray, discuss and listen to the Gospel in their mother tongues. “The language we use in prayer influences how we talk to God and how we think about God. Praying in a mother tongue is a more intimate experience. For people praying in Te Reo Māori as second language speakers or learners, it helps to extend our understanding of God.”
Caritas also produces the Lenten reflection programme in English, Samoan, Tongan and Tokelauan. “While there are many different language communities represented among the Catholic community in Aotearoa, we prioritised Te Reo Māori and Pasifika languages because there are few similar resources available and because these are languages of our region,” says Mrs Hickey.
Caritas produced the booklet in partnership with Piripi Walker, Ngāti Raukawa, an experienced Te Reo Māori writer, translator and editor and Te Rūnanga o te Hāhi Katorika ki Aotearoa, the National Catholic Māori Council, experts in the use of Te Reo Māori in a Catholic context.
The Te Reo Māori version of the Lenten reflection programme has been distributed to Māori Catholic communities and schools across Aotearoa New Zealand
The resources can be downloaded from the Caritas Aotearoa New Zealand website