Mananthavady Norbertine community in abroad consists of 22 priests and two brothers. They are in different places such as Germany, Austria, Belgium and New Mexico.
The Mananthavady Norbertine Community in Germany comprised of sixteen priests and two theology students. Eleven confreres are working in the diocese of Augsburg, four in the Diocese of Rottenburg-Stuttgart and one in the Abbey of Harmborn. Two juniors continue their theological studies in the Diocese of Trier.
Though the confreres work independently in the parishes as parish priests and assistant parish priests and live alone, the community life to a great extent is fostered through regular monthly meetings. Annual retreat and picnic are the occasions to foster the community life. In spite of all busy schedules and assignments the confreres find time for the community gatherings. Occasional visits of Rev. Fr. Jose Anthanatt, Prelate of the Canonry of Mananthavady encourages the confreres working in Germany and other places.
St. Norbert Priory in Kommetjie, South Africa, stands as a unique testament to the global reach of the Norbertine Order (Canons Regular of Prémontré). Its history is a fascinating journey from a humble family chapel to a thriving mission center now led by the Norbertines of Mananthavady, India.
The history of the site begins long before the Norbertines arrived. In 1948, a small chapel—the Chapel of St. Joseph—was built on Slangkop Hill by the widow of Joseph Rubbi, a prominent Italian immigrant and master builder. Rubbi had fallen in love with the area, which reminded him of his birthplace near Padua, Italy. The chapel was constructed using Table Mountain sandstone and featured imported Italian marble, serving as a family memorial and a place of worship for the small local community.
The Norbertine presence in Kommetjie officially began in 1967 when the Abbey of Grimbergen (Belgium) established a Priory there. The fathers took over the pastoral care of the area, eventually expanding the original chapel into the present-day St. Norbert’s Catholic Church.
Under the Belgian Norbertines, the Priory became a spiritual landmark, notable for its architectural beauty and the installation of the only Baroque Organ in South Africa (completed in 1997), which remains a cultural treasure for the Cape Peninsula.
As the demographics and needs of the Order shifted, a historic transition occurred in 2014. The Abbey of Grimbergen made the decision to transfer the administration and mission of the Kommetjie Priory to the Canonry of Mananthavdy, located in Kerala, India.
This “South-South” mission transfer was designed to ensure the continuity of the Norbertine charism in the Archdiocese of Cape Town while providing the Mananthavady Canonry with its first major mission in South Africa.
The mission was spearheaded by two pioneering young priests from the Mananthavady Canonry who arrived in South Africa in January, 2012 to take up the mantle from the Belgian fathers: Fr. Vijil Kizhakkarakkattu, O. Praem and Fr. Siju Pettapuzha, O. Praem. They were the first missionaries from Canonry of Mananthavady to navigate the transition, serving the community with a focus on both pastoral care and the administrative hand-over.
Today, St. Norbert Priory continues to flourish under the Indian Norbertines. They serve multiple communities, including St. Joseph’s (Kommetjie), St. Andrew’s (Ocean View), and Bl. Isidore Bakanja (Masiphumelele). St. Johns Church(Fish Hoek), St. Brenden the Navigator church (Sun Valley) The Priory remains a center for the Norbertine ideals of communio (community life) and contemplatio et actio (contemplation and action), bridging the heritage of Belgium, the energy of India, and the vibrant spirit of South Africa.
The Norbertines of Mananthavady live a life of prayer and service, bringing Christ’s love through education, missions, and social outreach.
P.B. No. 10, Mananthavady
Wayanad, Kerala, India
PIN: 670 645
