New Zealand: A fresh video series celebrating the Church’s Jubilee Year theme, Pilgrims of Hope, has been launched to spotlight key pilgrimage destinations across New Zealand. Produced by the Catholic Enquiry Centre (CEC), the series showcases sites in each diocese nominated as places of local spiritual significance.
“We often look abroad to the Holy Land or Europe for inspiration, and rightly so,” said CEC director Carly Mulqueen, “but New Zealand itself is rich with stories of faith and devotion that are deeply inspiring.” She highlighted sites marking historic Mass celebrations, as well as locations associated with notable figures such as St Mary of the Cross MacKillop, Meri Hohepa Suzanne Aubert, and Bishop Jean-Baptiste Pompallier.
Mulqueen also paid tribute to Rebecca Taylor-Hunt, the series’ producer and writer, and Joanna Kearney, the presenter of the videos. “Rebecca and Joanna poured their hearts into this project, guiding viewers through these sacred sites and the remarkable stories of missionary disciples across generations,” Mulqueen said. “We hope these videos foster a deeper appreciation of our Church’s history and inspire people to follow the example of these pioneers in faith.”
The first two diocesan installments, covering Auckland and Christchurch, are now available on the Catholic Enquiry Centre’s YouTube channel. The Auckland video highlights the Cathedral of St Patrick and St Joseph, key sites in Northland including the location of the first Mass in New Zealand, Bishop Pompallier’s resting place, and the mission house named in his honor.
In the Christchurch Diocese, featured sites include the Temuka parish and its historic church, the center dedicated to St Mary MacKillop, the Sanctuary of Fourvière at Leithfield, and Akaroa, home to the first Mass and first Catholic church in the South Island.
“There is so much to discover in these videos; viewers will encounter new insights and stories that illuminate the Catholic faith in our country,” Mulqueen added. The remaining videos covering the other four dioceses are scheduled for release in the coming weeks, promising to expand understanding of New Zealand’s rich spiritual heritage.
View the videos on YouTube