Story: Voluntary welfare organisations

Sisters of Compassion

Sisters of Compassion

The French nun Mary Joseph (Suzanne) Aubert founded the Roman Catholic order of the Daughters of Our Lady of Compassion in 1892, which soon gained a reputation for its charitable work. One aspect of this was taking in 'foundlings' – children who had physical or intellectual disabilities, or who had been born out of wedlock and could not be kept by their mothers. Here Mother Aubert (centre right) and several Sisters of Compassion supervise children getting fresh air and sunshine outside the Home of Compassion in Island Bay, Wellington, in 1908.

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Sisters of Compassion

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How to cite this page:

Margaret Tennant, 'Voluntary welfare organisations - 19th-century charity', Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/en/photograph/29045/sisters-of-compassion (accessed 29 March 2024)

Story by Margaret Tennant, published 5 May 2011, reviewed & revised 18 Sep 2018