The movement of Missionary Sisters of the Precious Blood from Mariannhill, South Africa to East Africa.

SHORT HISTORY

A historic moment came when, at the General Chapter of the Trappists in 1879, Prior Francis stood up saying: “If no one will go, I will” A historic moment, indeed! This short but definite answer led to the beginning of the great mission:

Mariannhill (South Africa)

In 1880 he went with 30 Trappists monks to South Africa where he founded the monastery of “Maria-Ann-Hill” (Mariannhill) in Natal near Durban. The mission work spread rapidly. In 1909 there were 28 mission stations founded in South African and Zimbabwe. According to Trappist tradition each new foundation was named in honour of Mary. On 2nd February 1909 the Trappist Monastery of Mariannhill became an independent mission congregation, and from then on was called: Missionaries of Mariannhill (CMM)

To create Christian homes, Abbot Francis saw the need of women to train the Zulu wives and daughters. The recruiting of five young women with different professional skills was the beginning of a new mission congregation, the Missionary Sisters of the Precious Blood (CPS), also known as the Mariannhill Missionaries

The spirit Abbot Francis wanted to impress on his Sisters is the spirit of friendliness and cheerfulness. Their characteristics were to BE A SIGN OF JOY AND LOVE of the redeeming Love of Christ.

One of the first five ladies who were ready to follow the courageous Trappist was Sr. M. Paula Emunds. Later she became the co-foundress of the Missionary Sisters of the Precious Blood helping in forming the spirituality of the young congregation. Due to Mother Paula’s prudence, the congregation developed into an independent modern Mission Congregation.

On 9 March 1898 three sisters started their journey from Mariannhill, South Africa to Tanzania East Africa. At the end of March they began their missionary work at Gare in Tanga Diocese. The purpose of the sisters’ coming was to support the Trappists – who had come to Gare in 1897 – in their missionary activities, particularly in educating women, girls and children.

Later that year, three more sister arrived from Mariannhill and started to work at Tanga. The beginnings on both stations were extremely difficult and the sisters suffered extreme hardships from the hot and unhealthy climate, lack of food, proper shelter and tropical diseases. In 1920 due to the effects of World War I, all German sisters had to leave East Africa and return either to South Africa or Europe. In 1925 the CPS Sisters returned to East Africa and took up their work again. Sr. Ubalda was appointed the representative of the Superior General for the East African missions (1925-1938). Under her guidance the missions expanded and developed into the East African Province, which includes Kenya and Tanzania. The Province is administered by the Provincial Superior and her Council. The provincial House is in Nairobi, Kenya.

Our Apostolate

We render our missionary service through
- Education
- Medical Care
- Pastoral and Social Ministries
- Spiritual Guidance and Retreats
- Domestic and Administrative Services
- Missionary Awareness

Our main celebrations:
- We celebrate 8th of September our Founding Day
- We celebrate the feast of the Precious Blood on the 1st July each year.

Our main Projects
- Schools
- Hospitals
- Dispensaries
- Homes for children
- Farming
- Rehabilitation Centres

.NAME AND YEAR OF FOUNDATION AND
THEIR PRESENT ACTIVITIES

Station Activities
1910 – Morogoro – Tanzania: Dispensary, Maternity, Youth Centre

1932 – Kifungilo/Tanga – Tanzania: Secondary Boarding School and Form 5 & 6, Dispensary/
Maternity, Farming.

1940 – Kilungu/Machakos – Kenya: Girls Secondary Boarding School; Mission Hospital,
Dispensary.

1954 – Lushoto/Tanga – Tanzania: Dentistry; Maendeleo Centre for handicapped girls;
Kindergarten.

1956 – Mbitini/Machakos – Kenya: Catecheticists Training Centre;
Health Care Centre

1959 – Riruta/Nairobi – Kenya: Provincial House for East Africa Province; Dispensary;
Pastoral assistance and Social Work for the Poor; Rehabilitation Centre for street children with Primary School; Retirement Home for CPS Sisters; Girls’ Secondary Boarding School.

1959 – Kagwe/Kiambu – Kenya: Girl’s Secondary Boarding School;
Dispensary; Meandeleo Sewing
Centre.

1962 – Turiani/Morogoro – Tanzania: Hospital

962 – Kibungo-chini/Morogoro – Tanzania: Dispensary; Farming, Pastoral work

1964 – Moshi – Tanzania: Kindergarten; Nursery Nurses’ Training School,
Home for orphaned children.

1983 - Poli-Singisi/Arusha – Tanzania: Formation House for the Postulant and Novices,
Farming, Maendeleo Centre.

1911 – Zanzibar/Welezo – Tanzania: Old age Home, Closed 1969, re-opened 1999.

1998 – Zanzibar/Machui – Tanzania: Youth Centre, Pastoral work, Dispensary, Kindergarten.

1998 – Juja/Thika – Kenya: Home for marginalized children, Farming,
Kindergarten.

2005 – Sudani – Tanzania: Pastoral work

2005 – Kahama – Tanzania: Girls’ Secondary Boarding School, Pastoral work

Readiness to go where our service is needed
is an indispensable attitude during the whole life of a CPS