Celebrating 140 Years of Missionary Love: The Journey of the Missionary Sisters of the Precious Blood

By Sr. Christine Masivo 

From the hills of Mariannhill to the far corners of the world, the Missionary Sisters of the Precious Blood continue to pour out love and service across generations and continents.

In 1885, the seed of a powerful missionary legacy was planted in the heart of South Africa by Father Francis Pfanner, a visionary Trappist monk from Austria. Responding to the spiritual and social needs of the time, he welcomed the first women missionaries from Germany later known as the White Sisters to Mariannhill, near Durban. This marked the humble but fervent foundation of the Missionary Sisters of the Precious Blood (CPS), the first missionary congregation for women established in South Africa.

Now, 140 years later, the congregation stands as a vibrant testimony of faith, resilience, and boundless service. Rooted in the Precious Blood of Christ, the Sisters have taken their charism of reconciliation, healing, and compassionate presence to every corner of the world.

A Global Presence of Service

Over the decades, the Sisters have responded generously to the needs of the times, expanding their missionary presence to Africa, Europe, the Americas, Asia, and Oceania where they carry out an impressive range of apostolates. Their ministries embrace the whole human person body, mind, and spirit with a special focus on the marginalized, the sick, the poor, and the spiritually hungry.

Here are some of the vital apostolates the Sisters continue to engage in around the world:

  • Education: From kindergartens to secondary schools, technical training, and even higher education, CPS Sisters have been educators and mentors, especially in rural and underserved areas.

  • Health and Medical Care: As nurses, midwives, and caregivers, the Sisters have served in hospitals, dispensaries, and mobile clinics, offering healing and dignity to the sick and vulnerable.

  • Pastoral and Spiritual Care: Through catechesis, retreats, spiritual guidance, prayer ministry, and intercessory prayer, they accompany individuals and communities in their faith journeys.

  • Social Work Ministry: Advocating for justice, caring for orphans, the elderly, persons with disabilities, refugees, and victims of abuse, the Sisters are voices of compassion and transformation.

  • Agricultural Services and Agroecology: Grounded in a respect for creation, the Sisters promote sustainable farming, food security, and environmental stewardship in local communities.

  • Administration and Leadership: With a presence in various institutions and church structures, CPS Sisters take on administrative roles with a spirit of service and accountability.

  • Domestic Services: In the hidden and humble work of hospitality, the Sisters witness to the dignity of every form of labor offered in love.

  • Liturgical Art and Services: Through sacred music, dance, vestments, and decoration, they beautify worship and foster cultural expressions of faith.

  • Music, Art, and Crafts: These creative gifts are not just for aesthetic pleasure, but are used to foster healing, income generation, and cultural identity.

  • Guidance and Counseling: Offering professional and compassionate listening, the Sisters help individuals find hope, direction, and healing in their lives. 

  • Missionary Awareness: CPS Sisters nurture the missionary spirit in the Church, fostering vocations and inspiring laity to be active participants in the mission of Christ.

A Legacy of Courageous Women

From the early pioneers who braved cultural, climatic, and linguistic challenges, to today’s Sisters who serve in conflict zones, rural outposts, and modern cities, the Missionary Sisters of the Precious Blood remain courageous women of faith and action. Their simple lifestyle, deep prayer, and radical availability to the Gospel make them powerful instruments of Christ’s love.

As they mark 140 years of mission, the Sisters look back with gratitude, celebrate the present with joy, and embrace the future with hope. In the words of their Founder, Blessed Francis Pfanner: "The mission is not yet accomplished. We go further."

May the Precious Blood of Christ continue to sustain and inspire them as they carry the Good News to all nations.

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Missionary Sisters of the Precious Blood CPS

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