Inkamana Abbey turns 100

Inkamana Abbey Monastery is celebrating its centenary this year. The abbey was established as a mission on August 3, 1922, when it was then just a farm with a few small buildings on it. With the assistance of the Benedictine Sisters of Tutzing, a high school was built where apostolic vicar Thomas Spreiter taught religion. In 1949, a new monastery building was completed and an architecturally impressive church was consecrated in 1953. After 25 years, these experienced monks were forced to leave the country due to World War I, but they have since managed to erect 10 major missions in KwaZulu-Natal, as well as four hospitals and a great number of schools. Inkamana, which means ‘Sacred Heart’, became more and more the centre of the Benedictines. The priest served growing Christian communities in a vast area. The brothers intensified their gardening and farming activities, and began to train Africans in different workshops. On October 10, 1961, lnkamana was declared a Prioratus Simplex and on June 21, 1968, was raised to the rank of a Conventual Priory. Mrs Patria Swartz volunteered to facilitate and organise a fund-raising campaign for the abbey’s centenary celebrations. Any contributions from the community would be appreciated in marking this great historical event. Financial donations can be deposited into the Inkamana Abbey Monastery account: Inkamana Abbey, First National Bank 541 741 107 16, Branch 270524, Vryheid. Please use the word ‘centenary’ and your name as reference. Every contribution and donation will be subsequently acknowledged. For any enquiries, contact 083 304 2084 or email abbey@inkamana.org

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