On Saturday, 8 March 2025, a group of 35 pilgrims set out on the first Diocesan Pilgrimage for the 2025 Year of Jubilee, travelling from across the Palmerston North Diocese to the historic Catholic site of Hiruhārama-Jerusalem along the Whanganui River. Led by Ignatian Spiritual Director Murray Adams, the pilgrimage provided an opportunity for spiritual renewal, personal reflection, and a deep connection with New Zealand’s Catholic heritage.
The journey began at the Cathedral of the Holy Spirit in Palmerston North, where pilgrims boarded a bus to Whanganui. A brief stop at St Mary’s Church in Whanganui allowed for a toilet break and the collection of additional pilgrims from New Plymouth before the group continued along the scenic River Road.
The first significant stop was at the Aramoana Summit, located 14 kilometres from Whanganui. This vantage point, also known as Gentle Annie, offers the first extended view of the river and is believed to be the spot where early travellers first glimpsed the sea. The journey continued past numerous historically significant sites, including Kaiwhaiki Marae, the first Catholic mission on the Whanganui River, and Rānana, a settlement with strong Marist influences and a Catholic church.
After a winding 66-kilometre drive, the pilgrims finally arrived at Hiruhārama. The spiritual highlight of the day was the celebration of Mass at St Joseph’s Church, led by Bishop John Adams, marking his first time celebrating Mass at this sacred site. The pilgrims were warmly welcomed by Sr Lusiana DOLC, Sr Litia DOLC, and Karen Coleman, a Friend of Suzanne Aubert. The sisters sang a moving rendition of With Our Mother Aubert, a song of prayer written by Father Chris Skinner SM, incorporating Mother Suzanne Aubert’s poem of gratitude to God: “Thanks be to God for all he has done and is doing for us.”
Following the Mass, Sr Litia encouraged the pilgrims to immerse themselves in the atmosphere of Hiruhārama, saying, “I can’t say anything about this place – it’s up to you to catch it.” The group then shared their packed lunches before taking time to explore the old convent, reflect in solitude, and pray. Later, they gathered in the Rosary Garden, where Bishop John led a decade of the Rosary, focusing on the Joyful Mysteries.
The pilgrimage concluded with a final prayer from Murray Adams at St Joseph’s Church before the return journey home.
Reflections from Pilgrims
It was great to meet with various people from across the diocese, and to be reminded just how diverse a church we are.
As always I found Hiruhārama to be a peaceful and deeply spiritual place. To this thought I have written a poem reflecting my experience:
TO BE STILL
To be still
is to be in place.
To be in place
is to be open.
To be open
is to be true.
To be true
is to be honest.
To be honest is to be free.
To be free is to become,
to become one with God.
Angela Coleman
Having been in New Zealand for just three weeks, this pilgrimage could not have come at a more opportune time. Thousands of kilometres away from my family and Catholic community in Botswana, the journey to New Zealand had been a challenging one, with a few hurdles along the way. But that is the nature of journeys—especially pilgrimages—they are not without hardships.
As I embarked on the journey to Hiruhārama, I could not help but reflect on my personal journey in life that had led me to this moment, sitting on the bus to Hiruhārama. Having prayed for over 10 years to find a scholarship to pursue my master’s degree, this pilgrimage offered me an opportunity to appreciate everything—in solitude, in silence, in prayer, and in the company of my fellow pilgrims.
The song With Our Mother Aubert, sung by the Sisters of Compassion, filled me with a renewed sense of gratitude—to thank God for what He has done and continues to do for me. That is: being alive, being healthy, celebrating 10 years of Holy Matrimony, raising two beautiful boys with my loving husband, Stephen (even if I am now parenting from a distance), and finally receiving sponsorship to study at Massey University.
No matter how long the journey of faith is—whether a day or years—it always brings a sense of renewal and closeness to God. In this Jubilee Year, Pilgrims of Hope, I am grateful for the opportunity to visit one of the historic and holy places of the Catholic Church in New Zealand.
Pearl Mokoka
Photos: Emma Dodsworth