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 Trappist rule was incompatible with missionary activity, the Sacred Congregation of Propaganda Fide, by decree of 2 Feb. 1909, established a new Congregation immediately subject to Propaganda. Its name was changed to Missionary Religious of Mariannhill. Since 1920 the Congregation has been governed by a Superior General.
The mitigated Benedictine rule is observed. Four missionary territories in South Africa are entrusted to the Congregation. It has foundation houses and mission procuracies in Germany, Holland, Switzerland, Austria, Poland, and the United States.
In 1950 the missionary personnel numbered 257, namely 116 priests, of whom 49 were indigenous, and 141 brothers, among whom 30 were indigenous.