Mariannhill: The Missionary Sisters of the Precious Blood (CPS) are celebrating 140 years of their global missionary journey, a legacy rooted in Mariannhill, KwaZulu-Natal, and carried forth across continents. The congregation, born out of the vision of Abbot Francis Pfanner in 1885, has grown from a small group of women responding to the call of Christ to an international community serving in education, healthcare, pastoral ministry, and social transformation.
The anniversary celebration was marked by a solemn Eucharistic gathering at Mariannhill, presided over by Bishop Neil Augustine Frank of Mariannhill Diocese. Leaders of the Church, including Archbishop Siegfried Mandla Jwara of Durban, Bishop Thulani Victor Mbuyisa of Kokstad, and Bishop Stanisław Jan Dziuba of Umzimkulu, graced the event, honoring both the founders and the generations of sisters who carried forward the mission. The resting place of Abbot Pfanner in the congregation’s cemetery served as a powerful reminder that one man’s prophetic vision continues to inspire lives across the globe.
Bishop Frank recalled the courage of the first five women who left their comfort behind to embrace a life of service in South Africa at the invitation of Abbot Pfanner. “It takes courage and perseverance to be a missionary. Their faith and upbringing shaped them to live out Christ’s command to ‘Go and make disciples of all nations.’ These are not human qualities alone but gifts of the Holy Spirit, the strength of God at work in them,” he affirmed.
The story of the Precious Blood Sisters cannot be told without recounting the life of their founder. A Trappist monk known for his strict adherence to prayer and silence, Abbot Francis Pfanner broke from the traditional mold of his order to establish a congregation of women dedicated to both contemplation and service. His conviction that evangelization required the active presence of women religious led to the birth of the CPS, focused particularly on the education and empowerment of women and girls.
From its beginnings in European spirituality but planted firmly in African soil, the congregation expanded beyond South Africa to embrace a global mission. Over the decades, CPS sisters spread to Africa, Asia, the Americas, and Oceania, responding to the evolving needs of the Church. Their ministries have grown diverse schools, healthcare institutions, catechetical centers, social advocacy programs, agricultural training, and artistic contributions all carried out with the spirit of reconciliation and healing.
Today, the sisters continue to embody their charism of living and proclaiming the redeeming love of Christ’s Precious Blood. They serve in rural villages, bustling cities, and remote corners of the world, often in places where the Church’s presence is most urgently needed. The congregation’s Motherhouse, once in Mariannhill, now resides in the Netherlands, reflecting its international character and enduring global presence.
The celebration also carried echoes of gratitude from the sisters themselves. Sr. Mary Christine Pohland, who has served in South Africa for 70 years, described the jubilee as “a spirit-filled togetherness that renews our strength.” Sr. Oliver Nansitu reflected, “We are not only celebrating the past but also embracing the future, continuing the legacy of our pioneers.” Sr. Dagmar Walz, celebrating 64 years of religious life, spoke of the celebration as “a reminder of the beauty of our foundation and the mission entrusted to us.”
For the sisters, 140 years is not merely a milestone but a renewed call to mission. Anchored in the charism of Abbot Pfanner and the Precious Blood of Christ, their work remains a living testimony that faith, courage, and service can transform societies. As their founder once said, “The Precious Blood is the price of our redemption; therefore, our lives must be dedicated to service and sacrifice.” The sisters continue to embody that sacrifice alive in mission, faithful to their calling, and committed to making Christ’s reconciling love present in the world.