The Shrine Of Mary
Mother of the Light
The opening of the Shrine of Our Lady
Opened on the 7th of December 2019, The Shrine of Our Lady, Mother of the Light is a place of pilgrimage where all are welcome to enjoy the beauty of God's creation.
Fourvière is a haven of silence and beauty that allows one to leave a world lost in artificial connections in order to reconnect with the self, others and God.
Come to visit this Living Marian Shrine with the beautiful replica of the golden statue of Our Lady. The original, stands above the Basilica in Fourvière, Lyon, France. The first missionaries to Oceania, including Saint Peter Chanel (patron Saint of New Zealand), Bishop Pompallier (New Zealand's first Bishop) and the Venerable Mother Suzanne Aubert, all went to pledge themselves and consecrate their missions to Our Heavenly Mother, at Fourvière, before embarking on their voyages to the Pacific to bring the Gospel of Jesus to our land.
Visit the Shrine of Our Lady
The Sanctuary of Our Lady of Fourvière is a place for pilgrims to come from near and far.
Various walks and trails are being developed for pilgrims to stroll in the beauty of nature, whilst contemplating things divine. Walks onsite will soon include trails focused on the history of the New Zealand mission, the rosary, the stations of the cross, the beatitudes and more.
From time to time, the Sanctuary will organise pilgrimages to other places, including Akaroa (the site of the first Mass in the Christchurch Diocese), Motuti and Totara Point (the site of the first Mass in Aotearoa), Jerusalem (where Mother Aubert established her Māori mission), Lyon (the home of Our Lady of Fourvière) and other holy places both in New Zealand and overseas. Let us know if you are interested in joining us in pilgrimage.
Pilgrim Shelter
The Pilgrim Shelter & Picnic Area
which offers a place of rest and refreshment for body and soul, with a beautiful view to the Shrine and an extended indoor and outdoor picnic area. (12 Stars is opening soon - in September 2020).
The Beatitudes Books & Gifts Shop
The shop has a range of Catholic gifts for all occasions, including First Communion, Baptism, Confirmation and more. Our carefully selected range of Catholic and Christian books, statues, crafts and cards will inspire you in faith and formation and enhance your home, library or office with a touch of the divine.
The Beatitudes Gift Shop Bank Account: 03-1582-0413968-00
Shop Newsletters:
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Reception & Offices
Michael Loretz, Director of the Sanctuary and Thomas Peacock, Apostolate Co-ordinator will be happy to welcome you.
Te Ara o te Marama
The Way of the Light
The Commemoration of the Fourvière Pledge
On the 25th of July, we had the pleasure to welcome brothers and sisters from various marian congregations.
They came to commemorate the Pledge made to Our Lady of Fourviere in Lyon, France by the first Marists missionaries who travelled to Oceania and New Zealand.
We praise God for the Missionary Sisters of the Society of Mary, the Daughters of Our Lady of Compassion, the Sisters of Our Lady of the Missions, the Marist brothers and the Marist Priests, the Marist Laity and the Missionary Sisters of the Society of Mary.
We give thanks for their presence here in New Zealand and all the work they do for Christ and His Church.
We entrust to the Lord our ongoing efforts to valorize the history of the catholic mission to New Zealand and spread devotion to Our Holy Mother.
The Mission Heritage Trail
We have before us a very special opportunity to make the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Fourvière a place that will inspire a new evangelisation for the people of the Diocese of Christchurch and beyond.
Strongly linked to the deepest roots of Christianity in New Zealand, the Sanctuary of Fourvière has a mission to tell the story of how Jesus has chosen to reveal Himself to the people of Aotearoa and the Pacific – It is a story of many who, inspired by Mary, called by Jesus and moved by the Holy Spirit, took up the challenge to bring the light of Christ to the people of their time – and it is a story that we hope will inspire many more to bring the light of Christ to their friends, families and communities in our own times.
We intend to create a trail through the beautiful grounds of the Sanctuary of Fourvière. Using educational panels, displays, statues, photographs, items of historical significance and art, the trail will lead visitors through the history of the mission of the Church, and invite them to pledge themselves to Mary and Jesus and prepare to bring the light to the mission fields of their own lives.