Sainthood for Suzanne Aubert needs a miracle

Mother Mary Aubert, founder of the Sisters of Compassion

Mother Teresa was made a Roman Catholic saint on September 4 - but it could be a while before Suzanne Aubert is awarded that status.

Also known as Mother Mary Joseph Aubert, she founded the New Zealand order Sisters of Compassion. Her work was with poor, Maori and underprivileged people.

She lived at Jerusalem on the Whanganui River for 16 years, from 1883-99, teaching children, helping the poor and using native plants to make medicine.

If canonised, Mother Aubert will be New Zealand's first saint.

The process of canonising her began formally in 2007, with priest and historian Father Maurice Carmody in charge.

He wrote an 1000-page description of the nun's life. It was unanimously approved by church historians in 2013, and then by a committee of church theologians.

Next a group of cardinals and bishops can declare Suzanne Aubert a "woman of heroic virtue", giving her the title of Venerable. Fr Carmody is hoping that will happen this year.

To get full sainthood, miracles will have to be attributed to her. This can happen if a person who needs medical help asks Mother Aubert to intercede with Christ for them.

If those prayers are successful, the cure can be deemed a miracle.

Fr Carmody is now the priest at St Theresa's Catholic Church in Plimmerton. He said he had put the case as far as he can.

Meanwhile Wellington's Sisters of Compassion are about to build an annex to their Island Bay chapel. Mother Aubert's remains are to be moved there, where people can visit them.