No appraisal of the magnificent legacy of Abbot Pfanner would do him justice without starting at the very beginning… the Monastery at Mariannhill!
An intricate pre-history of incredible uncertainties, setbacks and anxieties finally sees the Trappist monks under Abbot Pfanner settling somewhat fortuitously on the farm Zeekoeigat, 20 kilometres from Durban.
The first utterances of the great Abbot set the tone, so to speak, for the great apostolic venture which would change the face of rural Zululand for ever – and reveal in a telling manner the secret of his success – Our Lady! As the early Chronicles record: “During the first few days here, I was often asked: ‘What will the new Monastery on this farm Zeekoeigat be called?’ For a long time I did not want to give an answer, but at last I broke my silence and said: Mariannhill is its name!
All our Monasteries must be built in honour of Our Lady – Mary; St Anne however is our dear grandmother, whom we respect greatly and “Hill” I add, because the Monastery will come to be built upon an imposing hill, God willing.”
On 27 December 1882, on the spot designated for the construction of the Monastery, Prior Pfanner intoned: “In the name of God we take possession of this place. Let us now kneel down and all of us kiss the ground three times in the name of the Triune God.”
Thus began the great project of evangelisation which would lead to the formation of countless Mission stations and bring the light of Christ, His Holy Church and the Gospel of salvation to millions…
Within a few short years these wooded fields outside Durban were transformed into a magnificent spiritual “battlefield,” teeming with monks engaged in every conceivable pastime – bakers, carpenters, cobblers, tailors, brick-makers, engineers, farmers, teachers etc. In their blood, sweat and tears they were a living testimony to the Faith, labouring under the African sun to leave a permanent legacy of the Holy Roman Catholic Faith.
Before long Mariannhill distinguished itself as the largest Trappist Monastery in the world and to this day it remains a formidable enterprise of sprawling buildings, dedicated to many pursuits, notable amongst which is quality education.
The Monastery Church and cloister, still resplendent in their unique original grandeur, are well worth a visit!
