Franziska May was born on October 21, 1901, in Pfahlheim, a small village in Rottenburg-Stuttgart, Germany. She was 1 of 8 children on her parents’ farm.  She was lively, charming, and with a strong devotion to the Blessed Sacrament.

She went to a boarding school where she was taught domestic science by Franciscan Sisters. Later she joined the local convent, but her parish priest suggested she join the Benedictine Sisters of Tutzing, because of her interest in the missions. She was rejected based on her health but at the age of 21, she was accepted and took the name Reinholda.

She went through a trial of illness but was able to profess her 1st vows 3 years later. 

After only 6 months, she received the mission cross and left for South Africa. Her knowledge of the local language and English were scant, but she worked hard and was very disciplined, not panicking in moments of crisis. Within 3 years, before her final vows, she learned the Zulu language with enthusiasm and started as a seamstress as she had only worked in the sewing room when younger.

In 1936 she was the 1st Sister in the territory to be trained and receive a diploma as a midwife. The Benedictine Mission Hospital opened in Nongoma, and because of her impressive abilities, she was placed in charge of the maternity department and taught others. She became one of the more renowned among the missionaries because of her zeal for the people.

On August 22, 1955, shortly after Holy Communion, on the feast of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, Mary stood before Sister Reinholda in spirit.  Sister had felt she’d been drawn into another atmosphere.  Mary was in a wonderful light, more beautiful than the sun and robed all in white, with a flowing veil from top to toe. Upon her chest rested a very large Host surrounded by a brilliant corona radiating life.  Mary was a living monstrance. She stood upon a globe and said, “Call Me ‘Tabernacle of the Most High‘. You too are such a tabernacle.”

Mary had directed her to tell her priest, and later everyone, which she did, but was not believed.  Our Lady appeared to Reinolda 9 more times with the last apparition in 1971.  The messages beckon us to think deeply about whom we receive in the Eucharist, especially after Communion.  We must be transformed into what He is, Love, Mercy, Light, and Truth.

On the 4th vision, Mary asked for a shrine to be built at a place where 7 springs come together.  After searching, Reinholda found the springs in the forest near the school and abbey, on the Church property, an outstation of the Mission of Nongoma.  A chapel was built and consecrated at Pentecost in 1966.

She led the maternity ward until the government takeover in 1976.  She continued to visit the sick and dying and in 1980 was diagnosed with colon cancer.  She died at Inkamana on April 1, 1981.

When local clergy prevented pilgrimages to the shrine, many still ventured to the shrine and experienced many miracles and conversions.  They wrote to the Vatican and in 1984 a new church was built and pilgrimages resumed officially.  A larger shrine was built in 2003 to accommodate a large increase in visitors.

For God’s Glory.