MISSIONARIES OF MARIANNHILL. - The abbey of Mariannhill in Natal (South Africa) was founded by the Trappist prior FRANCESCO PFANNER in 1882, 30 km west of Durban. Since the Rule of the Trappists was not compatible with missionary activity, the Sacred Congregation of Propaganda Fide, by decree of 2 Feb. 1909, formed a new Congregation immediately subject to Propaganda. The name was changed to Missionary Religious of Mariannhill. Since 1920 the Congregation has been governed by a Superior General.
The mitigated Rule of the Benedictines is observed. The Congregation is entrusted with four mission territories in South Africa. It has houses of foundation and procurations of the missions in Germany, Holland, Switzerland, Austria, Poland, and the United States.
In 1950 the missionary personnel amounted to 257, namely 116 priests, of whom 49 were indigenous, and 141 brothers, of whom 30 were indigenous.