Voyage of Discovery... Aotearoa

“Voyage of discovery”

“aotearoa”

(the land of the long white cloud) 

This  work in pastel has been created especially for the PASPAC institute, by Michael Pervan. The Maori travelled from  Hawaiiki in canoes (te waka). Different tribes  trace their geneology  back to the  canoe in which their ancestors  travelled to Aotearoa.

The occupants of the canoe represent Passionist Family  Group members.  They are  from many cultures  and  undertake various roles .  Some are rowing, some  steering, some watching  to see what is happening in the distance.  Some are searching the waters close by.  Some nurture children and  some care for the sick and elderly.  Together they make up  “a tribe”, a  Christian family.

New Zealand is a country of thermal activity. The glow of red showing through the Passionist logo represents the fire in our hearts. The logo shaped in the cloud reminds us that although there is no resident Passionist community in New Zealand there is a strong Passionist presence and influence.  

The cloud formation refers to ‘moving on and staying put’ from the book of Numbers (9.15-20), which was a focus for our formation days in 1996.

“On the day the tabernacle was set up, the cloud covered the tabernacle,  the tent of the testimony. From nightfall until morning, it remained over the tabernacle under the appearance of fire. Whenever the cloud lifted above the tent, the people of Israel broke camp; whenever the cloud halted, there the people of Israel pitched camp. The people of Israel set out at the command of Yahweh, and at his command they pitched camp....”

Many times since the  beginning of the Passionist Family Group Movement in our country we have been asked to ‘shift camp’. We have had to adapt and develop new roles. We have taken this Movement to other areas, throughout the North and South islands, and to other churches.  Always, the Passionist charism and support is there to guide us. 

The fern (te ponga) in the bottom left of the picture is  a Maori representation of “new life and growth”. It is used here to signify our spiritual growth.

Covering all of this is the spirit of Jesus represented in the star formation of the southern cross, the symbol of ‘down under’.

We ask God’s blessing on the work of the Passionists and give thanks that we in Aotearoa are part of it.

Ki te Ingoa o te Matua, o te Tamaiti, 
o te Wairua tapu...Amene
(In the name of the Father, the Son, the Holy Spirit)