Wellington
Sue Seconi
6 November 2012
Paul Ramsay of St Mary of the Angels parish Wellington looking at Mother Aubert’s habit at the Visitors’ Centre at the Home of Compassion in Island Bay.
Suzanne Aubert was perhaps referring to the kind of weather that battered the country on October 13 and 14, as she did in 1906 when she said, ‘Kei te ringihia te kai a te ua, ehuara i te hanga’ [The rain is pouring down in sheets].
But just as we began our second meeting as Associates of Suzanne, with Merrilyn George from Ohakune leading us in prayer around Suzanne’s grave, the sun broke through the storm.
Archivist Sr Jo Gorman introduced the impressive Visitor’s Centre which revealed the life and mission of this true Servant of God in Aotearoa.
Saturday evening was spent with the leader of the Compassion Sisters, Sr Margaret Anne Mills, and Srs Jo and Lusiana from the leadership team.
We entered into a spirited sharing as we explored what it might mean to form a ‘certain’ relationship with Suzanne without living a vowed and community life.
We also heard more about the lengthy and involved process to have Suzanne, known in life as Mother Mary Aubert, join the company of saints.
‘Nothing more can be done from New Zealand’s end,’ said Sr Margaret Anne. ‘We’re at the stage now of just waiting for the three Roman historians in the Vatican to start their enquiry. When this is complete, the cause will then be handed onto three theologians for them to do their work.’
Chris Kelly from Wellington led us in the final liturgy that ended a graced weekend with plans to meet again in Jerusalem in January 2013.
For more information about Associates of Suzanne, seconi@xtra.co.nz or write to Sue Seconi, 100 Wakefield Street, Whanganui.