DAUGHTERS OF OUR LADY OF COMPASSION (Wellington). — Religious congregation founded in 1883 at Jerusalem, in the diocese of Wellington, through the efforts of a devout woman, Susanna Aubert, who had gone from Lyon to New Zealand as early as 1860. The new foundation began its juridical life in 1892 with the approval of the local Ordinary; on 1 Apr. 1917 it obtained the decree of praise, and on 14 Feb. 1940 the first approval of its constitutions.
The specific purpose of the Congregation is the exercise of works of charity for the sick of every colour and religion in hospitals and at home; for illegitimate and abandoned children, orphans, and poor girls; the sisters also run kindergartens, nurseries, kitchens for the poor and unemployed, etc. In 1947 it had 120 sisters in 9 houses scattered throughout the dioceses of New Zealand.