On September 20, 2025, the small town of Langen came alive with celebration as people gathered to honor the 200th birthday of Abbot Franz Pfanner. What unfolded over three days was not just a commemoration, but a heartfelt family reunion filled with worship, music, drama, and deep gratitude.
A Celebration That Began with New Beginnings
The festivities started on Friday evening, September 19, with a very special event: the ordination of Mario Nachbaur as a deacon. It was the perfect way to begin a weekend honoring a man who dedicated his life to faith and service.
Remembering a Founder, Planting for the Future
On the birthday itself, participants visited Pfanner’s birthplace for a quiet moment of reflection. Beside the cemetery, Mother Superior Monica Mary Ncube CPS planted a cherry laurel tree – a living symbol of the founder’s lasting influence. Pfanner was the founder of the Missionary Sisters of the Precious Blood (CPS) and the driving force behind the Mariannhill Missionaries (CMM), both of which continue to thrive worldwide.
A Man Who Didn’t Fit the Mold
The highlight of the day was a keynote lecture by Univ. Prof. Dr. Józef Niewiadomsky, titled “Dramatic: Franz Pfanner’s Path to Sainthood.” He described Pfanner as a man of extraordinary courage whose life was shaped by radical trust in God. With the motto gratia supponit naturam – “grace builds on nature” – Pfanner lived boldly, often breaking conventions. His life, Prof. Niewiadomsky noted, doesn’t fit neatly into the boxes of traditional sainthood, but that uniqueness is what makes him so compelling today.
Faith, Theater, and Music That Moved the Heart
Saturday’s celebrations continued with a festive Mass celebrated by Bishop Benno Elbs, accompanied with Bishop Victor Thulani Mbuyisa CMM a native of Langen himself. Young people honored Pfanner in their own way, presenting a play about his life that was at once humorous and inspiring. Adding to the atmosphere, African sisters and brothers filled the air with music that lifted spirits and spread joy throughout the church, and was crowned with the final blessing by Bishop Victor Thulani Mbuyisa CMM from Kokstad Diocese in south Africa, in Zulu the language and the people whom Abbot Francis Pfanner first served when he landed in South Africa
A Harvest Festival of Gratitude
On Sunday, September 21, the focus turned to the parish harvest festival, a tradition in Langen that perfectly complemented the spirit of thanksgiving. Superior General Michal Maß CMM presided over the Eucharist, supported by parish choirs from the region. In true Pfanner spirit, the local families opened their homes to welcome the visiting sisters, brothers, and priests, offering warm hospitality that made everyone feel at home.
More Than a Memory
The 200th birthday of Abbot Franz Pfanner was not about nostalgia. Instead, it was a celebration of faith, courage, and the mission that continues to grow from his vision. It was a milestone for both the CPS and CMM communities, and a reminder that the Kingdom of Christ knows no boundaries.
Based on a report by Sr. Pallotti Findenig CPS, Wernberg
Biblically: every seventh year was to be a year when there would be no planting or sowing of crops, the land would rest, that is, have a Sabbath. The year of Jubilee grows out of, and completes seven Sabbath years (forty-nine years in all), being the fiftieth year. (c.f. Lev.25 & 26, and Isaiah 61:1-4.) Proclaiming the year of the Lord’s favour is connected to the Jubilee.
According to Robin Sharma; “It’s stunningly interesting to note how we have the power to …. make a decision/choice/commitment that can transform our professional as well as our personal lives forever…”
The 20th of March 2023, saw us celebrating the decision to say ‘YES’ to God’s call that was made by Sr. Monica Mary Ncube, 50 years ago. This personal decision that she made has enriched us as Missionary Sisters of the Precious Blood as well as the many people Sr. Monica Mary has served in her long ministry as a nurse and also her biological family who benefit from her prayers.
The colourful celebration that took place at the Marianhillers’ Generalate was graced by the presence of the relatives and friends of Sr. Monica Mary.
Many General Superiors and General Council Members of different congregations of both male and female in Rome as well as Zimbabwean Ambassador to Rome, were also in attendance.
The day started with the celebration of the Eucharist presided over by Fr. Michael Maß, the Superior General of the Marianhill Missionaries (CMM), followed by a typical Italian festive meal.
We are grateful for all your prayers for the success of this day as well as for Sr. Monica Mary herself. We continue to carry Sr. Monica Mary, her groupmates in Zimbabwe, and all our Jubilarians in our prayers throughout their Jubilee year, 2023.
We welcome and thank our Sisters who gave their FIAT on September 6 and 7, 2022 to serve the congregation for the next 5 years:
Sr. Monica Mary Ncube CPS (Zimbabwe/Canada) – Superior General
Sr. Marian Maskulak CPS (USA) – Vicar General and Representative
Sr. Walburga Ballhausen CPS (Germany) – 2nd General Assistant
Sr. Pauline Mpongo CPS (Democratic Republic of Congo) – 3rd General Assistant
Sr. Maria Veronica Dingi CPS (Zimbabwe) – 4th General Assistant
We also thank the members of the outgoing General Leadership Team for their faithful service and dedication from 2017 – 2022. Right to Left: Sr. Monica Mary Ncube, Sr. Caroline Mjomba, Sr. Walburga Ballhausen, Sr. Marguerite Uy and Sr. Francisca Anne Mlotshwa.
The Old and the New!!!
Today we announce with great joy and thankful hearts our Superior General for the next five years: Sr. Monica Mary Ncube, CPS
On Tuesday, 6 September 2022, at 9:45 am, Sr. Monica Mary Ncube, CPS was re-elected Superior General of the Missionary Sisters of the Precious Blood. After a day of prayer and discernment on Monday, 5 September 2022, the capitulars are grateful to God that Sr. Monica has given her YES to lead the congregation for another five years. The four General Assistants of Sr. Monica will be elected today and tomorrow, 7 September 2022.
As we step into the Jubilee Year from December 2024 to 2025,
let us invite God the Holy Spirit to enable us to be real pilgrims of Hope
in our communities and among the people we serve.
Father in heaven,
may the faith you have given us
in your son, Jesus Christ, our brother,
and the flame of charity enkindled
in our hearts by the Holy Spirit,
reawaken in us the blessed hope
for the coming of your Kingdom.
May your grace transform us
into tireless cultivators of the seeds of the Gospel.
May those seeds transform from within both humanity
and the whole cosmos
in the sure expectation
of a new heaven and a new earth,
when, with the powers of Evil vanquished,
your glory will shine eternally.
May the grace of the Jubilee
reawaken in us, Pilgrims of Hope,
a yearning for the treasures of heaven.
May that same grace spread
the joy and peace of our Redeemer
throughout the earth.
To you our God, eternally blessed,
be glory and praise for ever.
Amen (more…)
