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
