Mariathal was established in 1887 and is situated about 5 kilometres north of Ixopo. It was founded as a resting point halfway between Marianhill and Reichenau.
It is named after the Mariathal Basilica in Austria which is a famous pilgrimage church built after a miraculous picture of Our Lady was found in a tree to console a knight who had accidentally shot his brother with an arrow.
In 1891 the Trappist monks bought an adjoining farm and called it St Isidore where the farming for the adjoining missions took place. Its early years were noteworthy for the many activities at the Mission and its great vibrancy.
Mariathal Mission was a centre of learning for locals as well as for priest candidates from Europe. In 1925 the first Seminary, Saint Mary’s, dedicated to the training of African priests, was established nearby.
Abbot Pfanner encouraged religious vocations amongst the Zulu people and in 1887 he sent Edward Mnganga to Rome to the College of Propaganda Fide. He became the first Zulu priest to be ordained in 1898 as a Doctor of Philosophy. Fr Mnganga, after many difficulties worked zealously and fruitfully at Mariathal Mission and taught at St Mary’s. In 1903 Fr. Aloysius Mncadi was ordained a priest in Rome and in 1907 Fr Andreas Ngidi and Fr Mbhele were ordained.
