Aubert inspires US students to give to soup kitchen

After learning about Suzanne Aubert during their International Peace Week, particularly her deep connection with Māori, students at St Mary Catholic School in Derby, Kansas, chose to support the mission she began in Aotearoa New Zealand.

Their club, the St Students, created handmade items to sell, including 3D-printed pieces. A photo of Suzanne Aubert in their school cafeteria reminded them of her legacy of compassion and inspired them to send their proceeds to Wellington. Nearly NZ$250 was raised.

A teacher at the school wrote to congregational leader Sr Margaret Anne Mills, saying “Even as far away as Kansas, we learned about your great founder. May God bless you and the Soup Kitchen, Sister.”

A Sisters of Compassion Facebook post stated that this was “a beautiful reminder that Suzanne Aubert’s spirit continues to connect people across cultures and across the world”.

This year marks the centenary of the passing of Suzanne Aubert. Throughout 2026, the Compassion Whānau has a programme of events to celebrate the memory of her life and to inspire people in living out their own faith.

Future events include a celebration of the work of Wellington’s Compassion Soup Kitchen in June, commemorating 125 years of service to the disadvantaged and vulnerable; a celebration of Suzanne Aubert’s phrase book and prayer book in conjunction with Te Reo Māori Language Week in September; a special prayer book for the Month of the Rosary in October; and hīkoi connecting Māori Eucharistic Communities and their Meri Hōhepa links.

The year will culminate with a 100-year Memorial Mass at St Mary of the Angels Church, Wellington in October.

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Students as far away… (Sisters of Compassion/Facebook)

Compassion Centenary Meri Hohepa Suzanne Aubert (Sisters of Compassion)