The Catholic bulletin. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1911-1995, 1922-02-18
TRAPPlSTS AND FOREIGN MIS-
SION WORK.

That the Trappists, or Order of Re-
formed Cistercians, should lay any
claim to Foreign Mission work would
seem impossible or contradictory in
terms, since the Trappists have one of
the most strict Orders of the Church,
with absolute enclosure and perpetu-
al silence.
To be enclosed within a four-walled
monastery and keep perpetual silence
are not characteristics adaptable for
mission work. The missionary must
go out among the pagans and preach
and teach the Christian doctrine. So,
according to the rules of their order,
Trappists cannot undertake mission
work.
Yet, mission started some 40 years
ago in Africa, by the Trappists, still is
in existence and carrying on the no.
BILE work for which it was establish
ed.
1t was DR.. Ricards, the Irish Bish
op of Port Elizabeth, who brought
Trappists to southeast Africa. Cog
infant of his responsibility and duty
to the vast masses of aboriginal ma
tives, Dr. Ricards decided that the
founding of Trappist Monastery and
Mission was the first step necessary.
In 1879, he appeared before the Gen.
eral Chapter of the Trappist Abbots,
in France, and made his plea.
The pious abbots, realizing the diff
culties attending such a project, 5000
miles away and in the heart of an al.
most UNEMPLOYED continent, voted
against the plan. But there was one
among that august assembly, not yet
an abbot, but only the prior of Maria
Stern, and, as such sitting in the last
place in the gathering, who was fired
by the eloquence and enthusiasm of
the Irish Bishop. When the negative
votes of the others had been cast,
Prior Franz Pfanner arose and said:
IF all refuse to 60, will CO."
Agreements were drawn up and &c.
clesiastical approval obtained. Irish,
English and German contributions
furnished the funds to defray the ex-
penses of the trip. Ireland, in spite
of the famine and bad times, gave 700
pounds sterling. Prominent English
men gave $50 pounds and the Arch
bishop of Munich donated $4,000 marks
out of his missionary fund.
On, June 8, 1880, the party set forth:
Bishop Ricards, so Trappists and 8
secular priests. First they tried set.
tiement at Dunnbrady, Cape Colony,
which, on account of drought. proved
a: failure. In December, 1882, they
went to Natal and founded Mariann.
hill. (Mary-Anna-hilD.
There were no buildings in the will
derness, no civilization. The mission
aries slept for the first few months
under wagons, piled-up boxes and In
tents After primitive temporary
buildings had been erected, the Fa
theirs opened a school for boys ano
gradually began mission work among
the pagans in the vicinity.
To carry on their work, they needed
many dispensations from their rules
Their mission work increased so rap
idly that in 1909 they had % centra
mission stations. The superiors o
the order, as well as the Propagand;
& in Rome, saw the necessity of draft
ing a separate constitution adapted TO
mission work, in order to obviate thu
many dispensations, and thus, in tina
year, the Monastery of Mariannhil
was separated from the Trappist OF
der and formed new mission congre
CATION, called Religious Missionarie
of Mariannhill.''
What is Mariannhill today? 1t ]
the largest mission center in Afric'
south of the equator. There are 8
Missionaries, 1872 Brothers, 337 Sis
tiers, 1872 native teachers and " ma
tive catechists actively engaged o.
33 central mission stations, scattere
from the northern part of the Cap
Colony to the Zambezi river. Their
are 1873 schools, with 5000 native pr
pills, two normal schools, 81 churche
and " chapels.
Because of the wonderful work az
complished among the natives, Mar
annhill frequently has been compl
mented by Catholics and non-Catht
lies alike, who. in their African tra'
els, have seen the scope; and exten
ofsthe endeayor Perhaps the mos
Distinguished compliment ever recei'