top of page
IMG_3826.jpeg

NEWS

FOOTSTEPS OF POMPALLIER PILGRIMAGE 2024

The Footsteps of Pompallier Pilgrimage was organised by FSSP Auckland and took place from Saturday 26th October until Tuesday 29th inclusive, over Christ the King weekend.

 

Bishop Jean-Baptiste Pompallier, the Apostolic Delegate for Oceania and the first Catholic Bishop in New Zealand arrived in the Far North harbour of Hokianga on the 10th of January 1838. His first abode in NZ was at the house of an Irish settler, Thomas Poynton at a site known as Totara Point. A small wooden house was made available for him and it was there that he celebrated the first Mass in the land. He immediately began, along with his confrères to learn the language of the New Zealanders, the Māori.

 

After some time he realised that the Hokianga harbour, although very large by size, was not a favourable destination for him to use as a base for evangelisation, due to its treacherous bar at its entrance and its heavily tidal nature. He found that 100 kms to the East was the Bay of Islands, with many excellent ports and easy access to the ocean. English settlers had already established a harbour at Russell which could accommodate ocean faring ships, and a short time later, he received an invitation from the Captain of a visiting French frigate, which had anchored in the Bay of Islands to visit. He, therefore gathered the things necessary for the celebration of Mass and made the overland journey from the West Coast to the East Coast.

One aim of the Footsteps of Pompallier Pilgrimage is to re-trace in some way the journey taken by the Bishop from one coast to the other. Although the Bishop would have used the rivers as far as they could take him by means of canoe, he would then had to have walked across the land before finding another river that lead to the east coast. At that time there were very few paths around the country as water was the main means of transportation, and most people lived close to the sea or rivers.

On the first day of our pilgrimage we met at the small town of Ōhaewai. Mass was celebrated in the local rugby club, and under heavy grey skies we departed for the first days walk. There were a few scattered showers crossing our path and the wind was increasing. As noon approached we arrived at the town of Okaihau. It was at this time that the heavens opened and heavy rain fell on us. We arrived at the local Catholic church where we were welcomed by the parish priest and some parishioners. Their kindness and food was very uplifting given the treacherous conditions. Eventually our route on the sealed road ended and we began on a section of gravel road on private farmland. We eventually found our destination where we were to camp the first night in a farm field. Setting up our tents in the rain was quite challenging and all were very happy when the rain abated and the cooked food arrived.

The Mass of Christ the King was celebrated in an open tent first thing on the Sunday morning, day two. After breakfast and packing our bags the pilgrims set off under blue skies. We were able to see the beautiful vistas of the upper reaches of the Hokianga harbour and its tributary arms as they reached into the interior. Although we had to walk for a couple of hours on State Highway 1 the traffic was minimal due to its closure not too far north of where we walked. We had lunch at a local rural community centre and the hearty fare was much appreciated. The undulating terrain meant numerous steep climbs and descents, which combined with the heat left a number of walkers struggling. Eventually we arrived at the Te Karae Marae, the closest Māori settlement to Totara Point. We were formally welcomed by the local leader (Kaumatua) with a powhiri, after which a Mass was celebrated in the beautiful chapel of the Marae. The Te Karae Marae is proudly Catholic and we were welcomed as family. Accommodation was either in tents or in the Marae buildings, and everyone was happy to use the hot showers.

An early Mass was celebrated for the volunteers at the Marae on day three, and the pilgrims walked a short distance to Totara Point for a Mass at the site of the first Mass in the country. A small tent was set up for the Mass overlooking the harbour. For the rest of the day, the pilgrims walked along the shores of the Hokianga harbour and eventually arrived at the Ngai Tupoto Marae which has a beautiful Catholic Church (Our Lady of the Assumption) on a hill overlooking the harbour. Once again they were welcomed with a powhiri and camped in a most beautiful setting.

On day four, there was a majestic sunrise over the harbour and Mass was celebrated early in the church for the volunteers as the pilgrims had breakfast and packed up their tents. The last day was to be the shortest day of walking but had some large climbs along the way. The pilgrims were in very good spirits and sang heartily along the road as they made their way to their final destination. After a long descent they entered the church grounds at Mōtuti and were greeted by the local Māori sub-tribe who are the custodians of the precious relics of Bishop Pompallier. A powhiri was held and Mass was celebrated on the altar over the body of Bishop Pompallier. After Mass, the relics were brought into public sight and were able to be venerated by all present. It was a most fitting way to end 105 kms of hard toil in the presence of the one who was the father of the faith in NZ.

ABOUT US

Fraternity priests offer the Traditional Latin Mass daily and provide wide-ranging pastoral care for the faithful centred upon the traditional prayers and sacramental forms loved by Saints and so highly prized by the Catholic Church. The Fraternity came to Oceania in 2000 and so far has been invited by the bishops to work in the dioceses of Adelaide, Auckland, Broken Bay, Canberra, Maitland-Newcastle, Parramatta, Sydney and  Wilcannia-Forbes.

ADDRESS

Our Lady of the Southern Cross District House

 

33 Heather Street, Girraween, NSW 2145 Australia

Postal Address:
PO Box 46, Pendle Hill,
NSW 2145 Australia

 

enquiries@fssp.net

NEWSLETTER SIGNUP

Thanks for submitting!

bottom of page