Mariathal Catholic Mission Church Celebrates 100 years
Top: Parish Priest of Mariathal Fr Mthembeni Dlamini CMM. Bishops Thulani Mbuyisa CMM of Kokstad, Neil Frank OMI of Mariannhill and Bishop Emeritus Pius Dlungwane of Mariannhill. Middle: Celebratory Mass at Mariathal. Front side of Mariathal Church. Bishop Frank OMI blessing the Commemoration Plaque. Bottom: Vukani Dlamini Chairperson of the Organising Committee explaining the day’s purpose. Dr Thulani Mdadane gives Mariathal’s history. Bishops and Priests from Mariannhill and Umzimkhulu Diocese and Durban Archdiocese.
By Vukani Eric Dlamini – Heavy rains did not deter parishioners and visitors who turned out in great numbers to celebrate the 100th Anniversary of Mariathal Catholic Mission on November 10 2024.
The mission is located on the R56 Road between two KwaZulu-Natal small towns of Richmond and Ixopo. Although the foundation stone of the current church building was laid in 1923, the mission was founded in 1887 by the Trappist monks. The Monks had founded Mariannhill Monastery five years earlier in 1882 under the leadership of Abbot Francis Pfanner, who later founded the Congregation of the Missionaries of Mariannhill (CMM) and Missionary Sisters of the Precious Blood (CPS).
The celebrations were for the church building as the mission celebrated its 100th anniversary in 1987. Mariathal originally served as the first seminary for priests who had studied overseas. The celebration Mass was led by Bishop Augustine Neil Frank OMI assisted by Bishop Thulani Victor Mbuyisa CMM of Kokstad (whose home parish is Mariathal) and Bishop Emeritus Pius Dlungwane of Mariannhill.
Priests, including Fr Siyabonga Mbeje CMM – Provincial Superior of Mariannhill Province in South Africa, came from the Archdiocese of Durban, Dioceses of Mariannhill, Umzimkhulu and Kokstad. Visitors and government officials were from the Provinces of KwaZulu-Natal, Eastern Cape and Gauteng.
Fr Mthembeni Dlamini CMM, parish priest of Mariathal welcomed and thanked the Bishops, Clergy, Religious, laity and all who made the day successful. Music for the Mass was led by Ixopo Deanery choir which has made its name in KwaZulu-Natal for being one of the best choirs in the Church. Fr Dlamini CMM also highlighted the work that Abbot Francis and his friars did in the region and the legacy they left behind. He challenged all present to revive the spirit of working and praying as is the motto of the Mariannhillers, Ora et Labora.
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