The effects that World War I had on the Missionary Benedictines' missions in Asia and Africa contributed to the founding of houses outside of Germany.

Monasteries in a variety of areas would ensure that the Ottilien Congregation had a greater chance of continuing its work in spite of political and economic crises.

[1] Fr Michael Heinlein, OSB, having been expelled by the British from what had been the colony of German East Africa, was entrusted with establishing a monastery in the United States.

Heinlein was encouraged by Bishop Thomas Spreiter of Zululand, who happened to be in the United States raising funds for his diocese.

[2] In 1924, a number of German Missionary Benedictines joined Heinlein at "Little Flower Mission Procure", dedicated to the recently beatified Therese of Lisieux.

Despite initial setbacks, which included financial difficulties and opposition from the Ku Klux Klan, the monastery quickly grew.

While some monks raised funds for the Congregation's missions, others looked after a garden, a 180 hectare farm, and a number of workshops.

In 2000, the remaining monks asked for permission from the governing Ottilien Congregation to leave and start looking for new homes at other abbeys.

The following demonstrates the clear drop-off in vocations: Such a crisis resulted in the closure of the seminary, as well as a decrease in the number of monks assigned to the mission.

[11] The story of one of the monks, known as "Brother Marinus", inspired Father Kim of the Waegwan Abbey in Korea to provide help in restoring the monastery.