Home Of Compassion Chapel And Resting Place Listed As Historic Place
Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga has recognised The Chapel of Our Lady of Compassion and the Resting Place of Meri Hōhepa Suzanne Aubert as a Category 1 Historic Place.
The decision was made by the Heritage New Zealand Board following careful consideration and recognises that the place holds sufficient significance to be entered onto the New Zealand Heritage List. The listing will take effect on 12 May 2025.
In its decision, Heritage New Zealand considered a range of criteria, evaluating the architectural, social, spiritual, aesthetic, and historical significance of the site.
'The Chapel of Our Lady of Compassion and the Resting Place of Meri Hōhepa Suzanne Aubert have outstanding historical and spiritual significance for their direct association with the Catholic nun, nurse, and social worker Meri Hōhepa Suzanne Aubert, who founded the Daughters of Our Lady of Compassion (Sisters of Compassion).'
Heritage New Zealand also recognised the further historical significance of the Chapel through its association with Ross Brown, award-winning architect of the Structon Group, and John Drawbridge, an artist of national standing. Opened in 1990, the design of the Chapel is the result of collaboration between these two highly respected figures in their fields.
'The building has a unique form, and its interior is visually arresting. The result is a unique and extraordinary space, which, with the addition of the Resting Place, has significant rarity value.'
The Resting Place was designed by Hugh Tennent of Tennent Brown Architects. Together with his business partner Ewan Brown, Hugh Tennent recently won the 2024 Te Kāhui Whaihanga New Zealand Institute of Architects gold medal for their contribution to architecture.
Opened in 2017, the award-winning Resting Place is a tranquil but simple space accompanied by thoughtful design. The focus is Suzanne's tomb, the natural world through a large adjacent window, and John Drawbridge's 'Resurrection' stained glass window.
The Chapel and Resting Place are an important part of Our Lady's Home of Compassion, serving as a place of prayer, worship, retreat, and reflection; a spiritual centre for significant religious and social events in the community; and a place of pilgrimage.
Sister Margaret Anne Mills, Congregational Leader of the Sisters of Compassion, welcomed the decision. 'It recognises the importance of this place in the life Meri Hōhepa Suzanne Aubert and her wider contribution to New Zealand society.'
'We want to acknowledge Historic Places Wellington, who made the initial nomination, and to thank Heritage New Zealand for this recognition.'
Suzanne's work and contribution to this country is already acknowledged on the New Zealand Heritage List with the inclusion of the Church of the Immaculate Conception at Pakipaki, St Joseph's Church and Convent at Hiruhārama/Jerusalem – a place Suzanne called 'the cradle of our Congregation' – and the former Crèche at Wellington. The Soup Kitchen she established in the city in 1901 continues to operate to this day.
The Chapel and Resting Place are located at Our Lady's Home of Compassion in Island Bay, Wellington, which is one of five pilgrimage sites designated by the Archdiocese of Wellington for this Year of Jubilee with its theme of 'Pilgrims of Hope'.
Suzanne served 'all creeds and none', and in keeping with this, the Chapel and Resting Place are open to everyone from 8:00 am to 4:30 pm every day.
'We look forward to welcoming you', said Sister Margaret Anne.
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Venerable Meri Hōhepa Suzanne Aubert, also known as Mother Mary Joseph Aubert, was a pioneering Catholic nun, missionary, and social reformer who left France in 1860 to serve in Aotearoa New Zealand. She dedicated her life to ministering to Māori and Pākehā communities, both Catholic and non-Catholic, without compromising her own beliefs.
After early missionary work in Auckland and Hawke's Bay, she moved to Hiruhārama/Jerusalem on the Whanganui River in 1883, where she founded the Daughters of Our Lady of Compassion in 1892, the first Catholic congregation established in Aotearoa New Zealand to receive Papal recognition. The Sisters cared for the poor, the sick, the disabled, and abandoned children, regardless of race or religion.
In 1899, Suzanne moved to Wellington, setting up a soup kitchen, a crèche, and later, Our Lady's Home of Compassion in Island Bay. At 78, she travelled to Rome and secured Pope Benedict XV's recognition of the Decree of Praise for her order in 1917. She died in 1926, and was widely mourned. Today, her cause for sainthood is underway, and her legacy continues through the Sisters of Compassion's ongoing work.
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