Suzanne Aubert : Mother Mary Joseph (1835 - 1926)

Founder of Daughters of Our Lady of Compassion

Suzanne Aubert is remembered as a religious sister, a nurse, a herbalist, a teacher, a social worker and a writer. But let us not forget that a tremendous sense of mission pervaded her life. A significant dimension of her contribution to New Zealand was in terms of mission. She grew up in Lyons, France, amid a remarkable network of interest, awareness and support for overseas mission.

It was not surprising that in 1860, at the age of 25, she was recruited by Bishop Pompallier for Oceania. She volunteered to journey to the South Pacific on a whaling ship. Over the next 60 years in Aotearoa New Zealand, her strong sense of mission was the source of motivation, dedication, energy, confidence and spirituality.

Her idea of mission work, following the example of Bishop Pompallier, was to acknowledge the signs of God's presence among people, especially within the Maori heritage and culture. Her task was not simply to bring Catholicism to the indigenous people. This energetic woman carried a respectful partnership with Maori and those among whom she ministered. She learned languages, appreciated heritage and respected culture. She coped with difficult situations, initiated projects, overcame antagonisms and inspired others.

And she reflected and prayed.

She carried this deep sense of mission all her days, and it continues today in the congregation she established. This gracious, inclusive and practical approach provides an enduring model for the mission context today. The transitions from Lyons to Auckland in 1860, to Hawkes Bay in 1871, to Jerusalem (Hiruharama) in 1883, and to Wellington in 1899 were decisive missionary journeys for the sake of the Gospel and for people in need.

The key component of her ongoing mission is summed up in the word - compassion. Her understanding of health, healing and social welfare inspired an ongoing compassion project which endures with a sensitivity to religious values and a readiness to influence the public domain.

Were she alive today, Suzanne Aubert would surely call this generation into a deeper appreciation for such a mission, especially among those struggling to cope. She would challenge people to grasp issues of religion, church, human development, politics, economics, social transformation, health, welfare, culture and tikanga. As Mother Mary Joseph, she would surely call people to a contemplative yet vibrant spirituality for mission, characterised by compassion and aroha.

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