After a health and safety briefing Dame Cindy was one of the team serving guests a hot meal.

Her visit coincided with the 187th birthday celebration of Compassion founder Suzanne Aubert.

Mother Aubert established the Soup Kitchen 121 years ago. Located near central Wellington, it has been a key component of food security in Wellington ever since.

"The Compassion Soup Kitchen continues Mother Aubert's remarkable legacy by supporting people in need in our community, including those struggling with mental health issues, addiction, homelessness, and poverty" says the Governor General's blog.

Aubert's mission was to ensure there was no need for a soup kitchen in Wellington, says the Compassion Group's co-Chief Executive Dr Chris Gallavin.

"The need for a free warm meal is increasing for many in our city," he said, adding that over the coming months the Compassion Soup Kitchen will be doing all that it can to step up to meet the need.

The Compassion Soup Kitchen serves nearly 200 meals each day and has delivered over 50,000 meals in the last twelve months.

"Whoever walks through that door in need gets a meal," says Soup Kitchen manager, Sam Johnson.

Dame Cindy's visit formed part of a series of activities to mark the anniversary of Suzanne Aubert's birth.

Celebrations also included Mass held at the Chapel of Our Lady's Home of Compassion in Island Bay on Sunday, 19 June.

During his homily, Cardinal John Dew highlighted Aubert's love for all, saying: "Let us have a heart like an artichoke and so big that everyone can have a leaf of it".

Aubert was born on 19 June 1835 in Saint-Symphorien-de-Lay, near Lyon in France. She emigrated to Aotearoa New Zealand in 1860.

She was a prominent teacher, nurse, health care innovator, social welfare pioneer and advocate for disadvantaged children, the poor and the sick 'of all faiths and none'.

Source

• NZ Governor General's blog
• Scoop

This week, Pope Francis cleared the way for the canonisation of Blessed Giovanni Battista Scalabrini, founder of the Scalabrinian missionaries, dispensing the requirement of a miracle attributed to his intercession, the Vatican announced. Continue reading

A Vatican medical council concluded recently that a potential miracle attributed to her can be explained by medical science.

Sister Margaret Anne Mills, leader of the Sisters of Compassion in Island Bay, Wellington, says the medical council's ruling means it is time to consider the future path of the official process towards Meri Hohepa Suzanne Aubert's canonisation.

"From my point of view, the miracle is in the life of those concerned in this process.

"I witness daily the gift we have of asking Meri Hohepa to intercede for us on our behalf. It is extraordinary. It is tangible.

"We have much to be grateful for and we are on a journey of faith. I have witnessed the faith and healing of people as they request Meri Hohepa's intercession.

"This will continue," said Mills.

"Meri Hohepa would say at this moment: ‘It is God's will.' She said that ‘when all else fails this is the moment of God.'

"We need to rest in that moment for a while, before deciding where to go next."

Cardinal John Dew, President of the New Zealand Catholic Bishops' Conference, says: "No matter the outcome of the Cause for Beatification, Suzanne Aubert is remembered, through her writings, prayers and sayings, and her life of working for those most in need.

"All of that lives on.

"There is no doubt that Suzanne, Meri Hohepa, was a holy woman, she was greatly loved and respected.

"All she would want is for us all to follow her example and carry on with works of compassion."

The case for a miracle, the details of which remain private to protect the privacy of the person concerned, was put in 2019 to the Congregation for the Causes of Saints, the Vatican agency responsible for studying sainthood nominations. The Congregation appointed a medical council to study it.

New Zealand's Catholic bishops approved the introduction of the Cause of Suzanne Aubert's sainthood in 1997.

A formal Diocesan Inquiry was held in 2004, when the available evidence for promoting her as a saint was gathered. The results were sent to Rome and approved for further consideration.

Included with this material was Jessie Munro's biography, The Story of Suzanne Aubert.

As a result, Suzanne Aubert was given the title "Servant of God".

Subsequent presentation and approval of the relevant material led to Pope Francis declaring her "Venerable" in 2016.

After someone is declared venerable, the Catholic Church requires proof of two miracles before they can be declared a saint. Recognition of a first miracle would have resulted in Pope Francis awarding her the title "Blessed," the penultimate step on the path to her being declared "Saint".

Suzanne Aubert (1835-1926) founded the Daughters of Our Lady of Compassion (the Sisters of Compassion) in 1892.

She was a friend and advocate for Maori, children, the poor and the sick, with the Sisters continuing her work to this day.

Thousands lined Wellington's streets for her funeral in 1926, an extraordinary tribute to a woman who dedicated herself to "people of all religions or none."

She continues to be known as Venerable Suzanne Aubert, a woman of outstanding Christian virtue.

Source

• Supplied: National Catholic Communications NZ

After only six months of planning, praying and preparing, the school was blessed and opened by Bishop Stephen Lowe on February 2, in the presence of students, staff and board members, governance facilitator Jeremy Kedian, All Saints by the Sea parish community, tangata whenua, manuhiri and sisters from the Daughters of Our Lady of Compassion. Read more

The book once again raises the conjecture that Aubert was New Zealand's first commercial cannabis grower.

Mulligan asked the author to expand a bit on what he had written about Mother Aubert's use of cannabis.

Was it true that "New Zealand's first commercial cultivator of cannabis also turns out to be New Zealand's first saint?"

Borrowdale replied that he had not been able to find any conclusive evidence either way that Aubert was a cannabis grower.

He said there had forever been conjecture that Aubert was New Zealand first cannabis grower.

Conjecture there may be, particularly from those who favour the legalisation of cannabis, but there is no evidence.

In his book, Borrowdale records that he spoke to Fr Maurice Carmody, the postulator of the Cause for the Beatification of Aubert.

Carmody said she might have used cannabis in some of her preparation, but whether or not she did was of no concern.

"Her use of it or otherwise is irrelevant to whether we consider her a holy woman or a saint."

Jessie Munro, Aubert's biographer, told Borrowdale that while it is most likely Aubert was aware of the medical use of cannabis she had not come across any evidence that Aubert had made use of it in own her preparations.

The Sisters of Compassion website says that over the years there have been many people who have made claims that Suzanne Aubert experimented with or was the first person in New Zealand to cultivate cannabis or marijuana and hemp.

"These stories are often based on anecdotal accounts that are frequently many times removed from a direct source.

"Most accounts stem from the 1960s."

When Borrowdale asked a sister from the Home of Compassion, by email, she replied: "I am really sorry I am no help to you.

"There is no physical evidence that she ever used cannabis in our archives. She may have I don't know."

Source

• podcasts.google.
• books.google.co.nz

Sr Josephine Gorman, DOLC, told NZ Catholic the sisters "are happy knowing Suzanne Aubert's spirit and legacy will live on in the minds and hearts of the teachers, pupils and parents at Papamoa and beyond". Read more in NZCatholic

New Zealand Catholic Bishops Conference secretary Bishop Stephen Lowe of Hamilton described the meeting as "positive." Auckland Bishop Patrick Dunn, Wellington Cardinal John Dew, Christchurch Bishop Paul Martin SM and Dunedin Bishop Michael Dooley were present at the meeting. Continue reading

A plausible miracle attributed to her has been referred to Vatican doctors for scrutiny.

New Zealand Catholic bishops, in Rome for a pilgrimage and a meeting with Pope Francis last week, discussed the possible canonisation of Suzanne Aubert with the Congregation for the Causes of Saints, the Vatican agency responsible for studying sainthood nominations.

Bishop of Hamilton Stephen Lowe said the discussions - with Cardinal Giovanni Angelo Becciu, Prefect of the Congregation - were very positive.

"Two medical experts will examine the extensive reports of the possible miracle attributed to Suzanne Aubert," said Lowe, who is also Secretary of the NZ Catholic Bishops Conference and one of the five New Zealand bishops in Rome for an Ad Limina Apostolorum visit.

"If one of the two doctors' findings is positive, it will then be referred to a medical board. If their report is positive, a theological commission will then examine the doctors' reports."

After that, if then approved by the Congregation for the Causes of Saints, the outcome will go to Pope Francis for his approval, and New Zealand will have its first "Blessed."

Proof of a second miracle will be required for Suzanne Aubert to reach the next step, being canonised as a saint.

The New Zealand bishops approved the start of her sainthood process in 1997.

A diocesan inquiry was held in 2004, after which Suzanne Aubert was given the title "Servant of God". Following the formal acceptance of her nomination, Pope Francis declared her "Venerable" in 2016, the key step before being declared "Blessed."

Lowe said Becciu was very familiar with Suzanne Aubert and her Sisters of Compassion in Island Bay, Wellington. The cardinal was once the secretary of the Apostolic Nunciature (the Vatican embassy) in New Zealand.

"The process ahead could still take quite some time," said Lowe. "However, we were assured that the Congregation of Saints are taking particular interest in this case."

Becciu is very interested in returning to New Zealand and hopes that this will happen during his time as Prefect.

"As the New Zealand bishops, we were very well received at the Congregation and came away feeling very hopeful. In the meantime, we continue to pray for the ‘Cause of Our Mother Suzanne'. Please join us in prayer for this Cause."

Source

Supplied: David McLoughlin
Communications Adviser, NZ Catholic Bishops
Te Huinga o nga Pihopa Katorika o Aotearoa

The plaque was officially unveiled by Wellington City Councillor, Nicola Young, on Friday, the 92nd anniversary of Mother Aubert's funeral on 5 October 1926.

The funeral is believed to be the largest held for a woman in New Zealand, with mourners lining the cortege's route between St Mary of the Angels and Karori Cemetery where her body was interred (until 1950 when it was transferred to the grounds of the Home of Compassion in Island Bay).

His Eminence Cardinal John Dew attended the small, informal ceremony despite having returned from Rome only a few hours earlier, and the Sisters of Compassion - the religious order established by Suzanne Aubert (Mother Mary Joseph Aubert) - turned out in force to honour their founder.

‘The heritage plaque scheme will tell people the history and stories of our city," said Nicola Young who is responsible for the Council's ‘Central City Projects' portfolio.

"We've started with the recognition of three women because the launch coincides with the 125th anniversary of Women's Suffrage in New Zealand."

The first was for radio personality Maud Basham (Aunt Daisy), and the next for Iris Wilkinson (the writer Robin Hyde).

‘I was determined to get a plaque at Mother Aubert's crèche; it's been repurposed as the Queen Elizabeth II Pukeahu Education Centre and I wanted people to know the building's history and the remarkable story of Suzanne Aubert - the young woman who sailed here from France to become a social worker and herbalist and then founded New Zealand's only indigenous Catholic religious order.'

Mother Aubert and her Sisters of Compassion moved to Wellington in 1899. They opened a hospice, then the Soup Kitchen (now in Tory Street), the crèche, and then the Home of Compassion where they cared for orphans, handicapped children and terminally-ill women.

Source

• Supplied
• Image: twitter.com

One of the events is Splendid Drop, a beer-tasting night at which Petal and Pestle, a Belgian Red Ale brewed in honour of Mother Aubert, is set to make a debut appearance.

Flavoured with rosehip, the ale takes inspiration from Aubert's herbal remedies.

Brewing began about a month ago at Tuatara's microbrewery and bar The Third Eye. Anglican Archdeacon of Wellington Stephen King stopped by to help add the hops.

While he's Anglican, King said the work of Aubert and her Catholic sisters was in his "hood" and he wanted to add the hops.

Tuatara head brewer Carl Vasta and the Sisters of Compassion worked together to create the brew - everything from flavours to the name.

"The sisters are delighted the community is engaged. That's part of the mission, to raise [Aubert's] story," King said.

The Compassion Soup Kitchen in Tory Street is the focus charity for the festival.

CompassionFest was officially opened on Sunday. A variety of events will take place from 4-7 October.

As well as the beer tasting evening that takes place on October 6, the programme includes:

• Art exhibition
• Reflective Taize service
• Kidsfest
• Children's tour of the Home of Compassion
• Virtual trip around Island Bay with the Historical Society
• Pop-up soup kitchen
• Combined church service
• Compassion Mass
• Native tonics workshop
• Symposium with politicians on the subject "What has compassion to do with running the country?"

Suzanne Aubert (1835 - 1926) devoted her life to helping others. Her work took her from France to the Whanganui River and finally to Island Bay in Wellington.

Along the way, she founded a new Catholic congregation, cared for children and the sick, and documented her work in Maori, English and French.

Source

• ibpc.org.nz
• wn.catholic.org.nz
• stuff.co.nz
• Image: stuff.co.nz

A first miracle would see her named as "Blessed", and a second would mean her being named a saint.

The sisters of Compassion property in Island Bay has been developed in the expectation of attracting thousands of visitors to Wellington.

When Suzanne Aubert died in 1926, she was buried at Karori cemetery in Wellington.

She was moved to Our Lady's Home of Compassion in 1950 and placed in a grave at the foot of a Pietà.

In 1984, both the grave and the statue were transferred to different sites on the grounds after the buildings at Island Bay were replaced.

Earlier this year Aubert was moved to a newly prepared crypt with the Pietà just outside the main window.

The recognition of a miracle requires reports, citations of witnesses, a biography, medical records and medical studies of people cured.

Last week, Sisters of Compassion archivist Josephine Gorman said she could not elaborate on the cures performed by Aubert in 1940s that were considered potential miracles at the time, as the privacy of those people was important.

The sisters would have to collect medical evidence to ensure there had been no medical intervention required, she said.

If doctors in New Zealand found there was no medical explanation, it would be sent to Rome for Vatican doctors to find out if the alleged cure was a miracle.

A spokeswoman for the New Zealand Catholic Church said more than one doctor was required to verify and provide proof of a miracle cure.

"Proof of a cure must be evidenced by medical records, professional diagnoses of medical doctors and their testimony, x-rays, pathological reports, CAT scans etc," she said.

Source

• Stuff
• Stuff
• Suzanne Aubert
• Image: Stuff

The Sisters of Compassion, founded by Suzanne Aubert, and the New Zealand Catholic Bishops Conference agreed that the first Sunday of October will be marked as a day of celebration.

All parishes have been asked to include a special Prayer of the Faithful at masses on that day and to make copies of the intercessory prayer card available.

In addition, a special 6-minute video presentation has been produced for playing at mass. It features a number of Sisters of Compassion as well as Cardinal John Dew and several Bishops.

Bishop Charles Drennan, the liaison Bishop for Suzanne Aubert's Cause, commented: "Kiwi culture readily celebrates its sports heroes and sometimes its high achievers in arts and music."

"Suzanne Aubert's gutsy life focused solely and relentlessly on the needs of others. This helps us celebrate a radical life of practical faith."

He went on to say, "Mother Aubert's life shifts holiness onto our streets and fields. Hers is a gumboots and sleeves-rolled-up type of saintliness that resonates in this country and overseas too - with growing interest in her Cause in France and parts of the Pacific."

Suzanne Aubert chose to leave her native country of France and spend 3 months travelling to New Zealand on a whaling boat so that she could answer the call of Christ: the call to serve the sick, the orphaned, the elderly and those whom society seemed not to notice. Her response to what she encountered was to establish NZ's first soup kitchen that still serves almost 40,000 meals a year.

She established orphanages for abandoned children throughout New Zealand and provided care for the disabled, the sick and the dying.

When she died, Suzanne was accorded the largest funeral ever in NZ for a woman. Wellington city stopped to pay their respects and publicly acknowledge what this remarkable woman had achieved.

Her wairua or spirit lives on in the work of the Sisters of Compassion. The work of the Sisters today is very much supported by their co-workers through their engagement in social work, pastoral care, prison and hospital chaplaincies, education, working with disadvantaged, migrant communities, and care of the sick and the elderly.

Pope Francis officially declared Suzanne Aubert Venerable last year. This the second of four steps on the journey to her being officially recognised as a Saint.

As a result of the national celebration day on 1 October, the anniversary of her death 91 years ago, it is hoped that many more New Zealanders will learn of the spirituality and good works of Venerable Suzanne Aubert.

There is a companion booklet with writings from Baxter, Aubert, Mere Hohepa, Jessie Munro and others as well as Stoneman's own writing.

Stoneman, who is based in Patea, has visited Hiruharama a number of times and her most recent visits have been as an informal artist in residence.

"It is a unique and special place," she says. "I feel different when I am there - my thoughts are clearer, not so restless. Perceptions around space and time change. The air is different."

Stoneman says she relished the stillness and calm of Jerusalem and it was not an easy place to leave.

Stoneman is not Catholic but has a "thing about Mary" which she says was likely inspired by time spent with her Catholic grandparents.

She said they took her to church a few times when she was a child. She remembers her fascination with the ritual and ceremony, the scale and beauty of the church, the symbols, incense, intense light and ... "Mary everywhere.

"One Christmas I had to walk the aisle between pews to kneel beside the manger and I was uncomfortable with the overdressed church children. The songs all seemed to have the same tune. I just zoned out; staring at Mary."

Stoneman recently inherited her grandmother's rosary beads. They are cut glass, a dusty wine colour.

She used them to create the cyantype series Luminous Mysteries which she features in her exhibition... "exposed by the milky winter light at noon, cast through the convent sash windows.

"I got carried away with the repetition and timing the light, an art of meditation, gently calming while allowing the mind to wander, or be still."

View some of the works in the exhibition

Source

• Wanganui Chronicle
• NZPoetryShelf
• Space Gallery

Suzanne Aubert was the founder of the Sisters of Compassion, New Zealand's only home grown order of Sisters.

In 1997 the New Zealand Catholic Bishops Conference supported the first part of the formal process, called the "Introduction of the Cause of Suzanne Aubert".

Last year Pope Francis declared Suzanne Aubert ‘venerable' - the second formal stage on the way to being declared a saint.

If Suzanne Aubert's Cause for Sainthood is successful, she will be New Zealand's first saint.

Bishop Charles Drennan, the liaison Bishop for Suzanne Aubert's Cause, commented "kiwi culture readily celebrates its sports heroes and sometimes its arts and music high achievers.

"Suzanne Aubert's gutsy life focused solely and relentlessly on the needs of others helps us also to celebrate a radical life of practical faith."

He went on to say, "Mother Aubert's life shifts holiness onto our streets and fields.

"Hers is a gumboots ‘n sleeves rolled up type of saintliness that resonates both in this country and overseas, with growing interest in her Cause in France and parts of the Pacific."

Sister Margaret Anne, congregational leader for the Sisters of Compassion, said "The 1^st of October gives us the opportunity to rejoice in the faith filled life of Suzanne Aubert but more importantly to dare to follow her example by taking the time to listen to the promptings of the Spirit.

Last year marked the 90th year since Aubert's death in New Zealand after dedicating 66 years of her life to living among, learning from and wal

Read full press release

Source
Supplied Amanda Gregan
Communications Advisor - NZ Catholic Bishops
Te Huinga o nga Pihopa Katorika o Aotearoa

The announcement has just been made from Rome by Pope Francis.

Being declared ‘venerable' is a major step towards sainthood in the Catholic Church, says Dr Maurice Carmody, the promoter of her canonisation cause.

"There are a number of stages in the canonisation process. Last year the official case for her proposed canonisation was submitted to the Congregation for the Cause of Saints in Rome.

Her case has been examined by Church historians and theologians and now, with the Pope's approval, she has been declared ‘venerable' - the second stage on the way to being declared a saint.

"The next stage involves the recognition of a miracle attributed to Suzanne, such as recovery from a terminal illness as a result of prayer.

She can then be declared ‘Blessed' by the Pope. A second miracle and proof that she is a model for the universal Church will enable her to be canonised as a saint," said Carmody.

The Sisters of Compassion are the only religious congregation founded in New Zealand. They run the well-known Soup Kitchen in Tory Street, Wellington, which was begun by Suzanne and her pioneering Sisters.

They also run a dementia care unit in Upper Hutt and a housing support programme in Lower Hutt

If Suzanne's Cause for Sainthood is successful, she will be New Zealand's first saint, said Cardinal John Dew

"She was a remarkable woman who devoted her life to helping others. She was a pioneer of New Zealand's health and welfare system and a friend to Maori throughout her life. Her tireless compassion and practical brand of Christianity made a huge impact on New Zealand society."

Suzanne Aubert (1835-1926) came to New Zealand from France in 1860 and spent most of her life here, fully identifying with her adopted country.

"Suzanne Aubert was ahead of her time, promoting the rights of women and Maori in the nineteenth century," said Cardinal Dew. "Her care for infants, young children, their mothers and families, and her practical concern for the incurably sick and unemployed was legendary."

The leader of the Sisters of Compassion, Sister Margaret Mills said the news from Rome was very exciting for the Sisters and for all of New Zealand.

"Suzanne Aubert was an inspirational figure in New Zealand history. She reached out to people of all walks of life."

"Her huge energy and respect for all those she encountered, especially the needy, impressed a wide cross-section of New Zealanders. Her funeral was the largest ever held for a New Zealand woman."

When she died in 1926, at the age of 91, The Evening Post said of her: Aubert "may rightly be described as one of the greatest women in public effort and loving self-sacrifice New Zealand has known."

Source

• Supplied

All parishes have been asked to include a special Prayer of the Faithful at Masses on Oct 2 and also to make available copies of the intercessory prayer card.

In addition, a special 4-minute video presentation that features Cardinal John Dew and several Sisters of Compassion has been produced for playing after Communion.

Suzanne Aubert chose to leave her native country of France and spend 3 months travelling to New Zealand on a whaling boat so that she could answer the call of Christ: the call to serve the sick, the orphaned, the elderly and those whom society seemed not to notice.

Her response to what she encountered was to establish NZ's first soup kitchen that still serves almost 40,000 meals a year.

She established orphanages for abandoned children throughout New Zealand and provided care for the disabled, the sick and the dying.

When she died, Suzanne was accorded the largest funeral ever in NZ for a woman and Wellington city stopped to pay their respects and publicly acknowledge what this remarkable woman had achieved.

The church has already officially called Suzanne Aubert a Servant of God and the next step on her journey to sainthood is being declared Venerable.

Source

• Supplied
• Image: alchetron.com

To get full sainthood, miracles will have to be attributed to her. This can happen if a person who needs medical help asks Mother Aubert to intercede with Christ for them.

If those prayers are successful, the cure can be deemed a miracle. Read more

There was a late push to have the crèche turned into a centre dedicated to Mother Aubert.

But the Ministry for Culture and Heritage said education centre plans are confirmed and a $300,000 fitout would be completed by July.

Continue reading

Fanning said a key part of that plan would be to turn the Home of Compassion creche, which was built by Mother Aubert in 1914 for low-income mothers, into a centre dedicated to her.

The process by which Aubert would be made a saint is well advanced.

Should she become New Zealand's first saint, Fanning says said the city needed to be ready for the influx of pilgrim tourists.

"I can see Wellington could attract quite a number of pilgrims who would visit the city she worked in most of her life."

He compared the opportunity for Wellington the that which was created when Australian nun Mary MacKillop was made a saint.

It led to a boom in pilgrim tourism in Melbourne.

But there's a problem - the current plan for the building, which was moved to Memorial Park in 2014, is for it to be made an education centre focused on World War I.

NZ Transport Agency offered the creche to Wellington City Council for $1 last year, but the offer was declined.

"It seems it's a little strange that a woman who was known for her work with Maori and the disadvantaged should have her building used in association with war," said Fanning.

Source

• stuff.co.nz
• Image: mch.govt.nz

In 1997 the New Zealand Catholic Bishops Conference agreed to support the first part of the formal process, called the "Introduction of the Cause of Suzanne Aubert".

Then a historical consultation (Posito) was completed and presented for  theological consultation by a panel of theologians.

The panel of theologians in the Congregation of Saints have examined the Posito and judged that the case has merit.

They will now send their recommendation to the Bishops and Cardinals who work in the Congregation of Saints.

If they approve the recommendation a Decree of Heroic Virtues is sent to Pope Francis for his final judgment.

A decree on the heroic nature of Suzanne Aubert's virtues will be issued and she will be given the title of Venerable.

These steps could be completed by early next year.

The next step in the process is the approval of a posthumous miracle, which would lead to Suzanne Aubert's Beatification. A person who is beatified is given the title "Blessed"

After beatification the Church looks for a second posthumous miracle before proceeding to canonisation.

The consent of the Holy Father to the decision of the Congregation results in a Decree of a Miracle.

Canonisation would then be possible.

Read more about Suzanne Aubert's cause.