Congregation Tree

Like a Tree planted near Streams of Water

They are like a  tree planted near streams  of water, that yields its fruit in season; 

Its leaves never wither ; whatever they do prospers.  (Psalm 1:3)    

Congregation Tree

We like to see our Congregation as a tree, which developed from a small seed, but grew, getting new branches and many leaves. Other branches had to be cut and new sprouted, as depicted in this tapestry. 

It all began in Reichenbach / Germany where on September 24, 1885 four young women entered the young "St. Benediktus Missionsgesellschaft", which developed into the two big congregations for men St. Ottilien, for women the Missionary Benedictine Sisters of Tutzing. In 1887 both groups left Reichenbach and went together to St. Ottilien. In 1904, as the two groups developed into independant congregations, the sisters found their motherhouse in Tutzing.

The first missionary endeavor in Tanzania, that time German-East-Africa, ended with the killing of one sister and two brothers and the burning of the mission station Pugu, yet soon later a new start brought steady growth resulting in two lively priories Peramiho and Ndanda.

From now on the Congregation spread over the whole globe with priories in Germany, Tanzania, Brazil, Philippines, Namibia, South Korea, USA, Portugal and communities in Spain, Angola, Uganda, India, Bulgaria, Argentina and Italy.

We pray that God will continue to bless the growth, flourishing and bearing fruit of our Congregation.