Suzanne Aubert's sainthood faces setback after medical science explains miracle

May 19, 2022

Suzanne Aubert's sainthood faces setback after medical science explains miracle

Suzanne Aubert Meri Hōhepa. Photo courtesy of the Sisters of Compassion

The path to sainthood for Suzanne Aubert Meri Hōhepa, who is on track to become New Zealand’s first saint, has been delayed.

This delay comes as a Vatican medical council has found that a miracle attributed to her could be explained by medical science, according to the New Zealand Catholic Bishops Conference.

Suzanne Aubert was declared by Pope Francis as Venerable in 2016, after which two proven miracles are required by the Catholic Church to become a saint.

A pioneer of early social work in New Zealand, Suzanne Aubert remains notable for the many works she began, according to Sister Josephine Gorman, archivist and historian at the Sisters of Compassion, which was founded by Suzanne Aubert in 1892.

These works include the establishment of a home for disabled people in 1899, a soup kitchen in 1901, which is still running today, a creche in 1903, and a home for children in Island Bay in 1907, which eventually became a hospital after the sisters were trained as registered nurses, says Gorman.

She says Suzanne Aubert had an ability to reach out to people from all walks of life, and felt she could address needs not being met at the time in New Zealand.

“She saw where the need was and she wanted to do something about it to help people,” says Gorman.

Following her death in 1926, Suzanne Aubert had the largest funeral for a woman in New Zealand, says Gorman, with people lining the streets of Wellington to watch.

Sisters working in the Soup Kitchen in Wellington. Photo courtesy the Sisters of Compassion

Associate Professor Geoff Troughton, programme director of Religious Studies at Victoria University of Wellington, says while the process will have to take its course, it is still possible Suzanne Aubert will become a saint.

When this might happen is another question, he says.

The path to sainthood can be slow, sometimes centuries, so delays can occur, says Associate Professor Troughton.

"A protracted process is not really an indication of the outcome. A first miracle is an important landmark however," he says.

Details of the miracle in question will not be released to ensure the privacy of the individual involved.

"In the broadest sense, a miracle is an extraordinary event attributed to divine action," says Associate Professor Troughton.

Miracles in the sainthood process usually involve the healing of a serious medical condition after prayers to the holy person, which cannot be attributed to medical intervention or understanding, he says.

Recognition of this first miracle would have resulted in Suzanne Aubert receiving the title Blessed by Pope Francis, which is the final stage before she could be declared a Saint, says the New Zealand Catholic Bishops Conference.

Gorman says she remains hopeful for the future of Suzanne Aubert’s sainthood.

“We know she’s a saint but having her recognised as one is important in the sense that she will be always known, she will be always remembered,” says Gorman.

Gorman says the journey towards sainthood, which officially began in 2004, has provided an opportunity to look back on Suzanne Aubert’s life.

“I hope she will continue to inspire people in the way she has done in the past.”

Call for Gaza ceasefire boosted by Auckland's International Women's Day

Call for Gaza ceasefire boosted by Auckland's International Women's Day

Grace Symmans March 28, 2024

Rugby numbers continue to kick on

Rugby numbers continue to kick on

Matt Bullock March 26, 2024

Circus skills unite communities in East Auckland

Circus skills unite communities in East Auckland

Fravash Irani March 26, 2024