Prayers sought for ongoing Suzanne Aubert cause

By CathNews New Zealand

November 7th, 2025

Venerable Meri Hōhepa Suzanne Aubert (Sisters of Compassion/RNZ)

The Sisters of Compassion have asked for prayers for the beatification of their founder, the Venerable Suzanne Aubert, as work continues on her cause.

Prayers are essential for Venerable Meri Hōhepa Suzanne Aubert to be beatified soon, the sisters wrote on their website.

“We already know that Venerable Meri Hōhepa Suzanne Aubert is a saint, and the mahi to have this truth recognised by the Dicastery for the Causes of Saints continues in Rome.”

“We invite our supporters to join us in prayer that Meri Hōhepa will be beatified soon.”

The sisters shared the prayer that they use for this purpose.

“Lord Jesus Christ, You taught us that as often as we show compassion to the least of our brothers and sisters, we show it to you. Hear our prayer that Venerable Meri Hōhepa Suzanne Aubert, who came to Aotearoa New Zealand to be with Māori, and dedicated her life to caring for those in poverty and in need, may soon be recognised by the Church as a saint. Amen.”

Prayer cards are available in English and in Te Reo Māori.

The path to sainthood for Venerable Meri Hōhepa Suzanne Aubert was delayed in 2022 when a Vatican medical council decided a potential miracle attributed to her could be explained by medical science.

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 then-Congregation for the Causes of Saints. A medical council was appointed to study it.

New Zealand’s Catholic bishops approved the introduction of the cause of Meri Hōhepa Suzanne Aubert 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. Meri Hōhepa 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.

October 2026 will mark the 100th anniversary of Mother Aubert’s death, which was met with great sadness. Her life was celebrated by a huge crowd in the streets of Wellington.

FULL STORY

The Cause continues in Rome (Sisters of Compassion)

Suzanne Aubert: Vatican medical council rejects First Miracle (Catholic Diocese of Hamilton)