This month, New Zealand’s Catholic bishops are rededicating the country to Mary assumed into heaven. This was the title used by Bishop Pompallier when he first celebrated Mass here at Totara Point in the Hokianga in January 1838.
The bishops have chosen the title Te Ara a Maria – Mary’s Way as the focus for this event which begins on August 15 with a ceremony at St Mary of the Angels Church in Wellington, which will become a national shrine to Mary, home for an image in her honour which will be taken on pilgrimage to all six dioceses of New Zealand over the coming months.