The Institute was founded in Atakpamé, Togo, on 7 October 1985 by Bishop Philippe Kpodzro. Ordained Bishop ofAtakpamé under dramatic circumstances on 2 May 1976, Bishop Kpodzro spent the first 5 years of his episcopal life in exile in Lomé and was unable to take possession of his Diocese until 1981. He courageously set to work in a Diocese with an animist majority.
The urgency of evangelization quickly made him realize the spiritual vitality that institutionalized religious life would bring to the Diocese. After unsuccessfully knocking on the doors of European Congregations in search of communities that could help him in his mission as Pastor, he decided, supported by his fellow bishops of the Episcopal Conference, to found a diocesan congregation.
In this project, 12 African Sisters of the Congregation of the Sisters of Providence of Saint Andrew of Peltre (France), after careful reflection in prayer, offered their availability to Bishop Kpodzro to build a new religious family called the “Sisters of Our Lady of the Trinity”. Indeed, aware of the needs of this young diocese and conscious of their belonging both to the particular Church of Atakpamé and to the universal Church, the 12 Sisters freely chose to take part in this foundation project for evangelization through the witness of their consecrated life and with the readiness to work in the areas where the Bishop requested their presence and apostolic activity (catechesis, teaching, healthcare, the advancement of women or any other service to the diocese).
Charism
Contemplative and apostolic, the “Sisters of Our Lady of the Trinity” wish to live like Mary in the constant contemplation of the Most Holy Trinity, which has deigned to dwell in them since baptism. They wish to look upon every person with a contemplative gaze, even amid the urgent demands of the apostolate. Their charism is expressed in article 7 of the Rule of Life approved by the Apostolic See: “our essential and fundamental charism is the awareness, through contemplation, of our incorporation into God through baptism”.
Sustained and inspired by this charism of availability, following the example and school of the Virgin Mary, the Institute of Our Lady of the Trinity is involved in various fields of mission: education (management of primary, secondary and higher schools), healthcare (dispensaries, health centres), catechesis, service at the Bishop’s residence, management of diocesan reception centres and of the headquarters of the Episcopal Conference, advancement of women (sewing workshops for girls), orphanage.
Very soon, the Institute expanded its mission beyond Togo: in 1955, the first community in Italy was opened in the diocese of Milan (placement in a parish for liturgical service, the youth centre, youth catechesis and home care for the sick); a second community was opened in 2011 in a home for the elderly. After the first Italian community, the sisters opened a community in Burkina Faso in 2001 in the diocese of Kaya, to serve at the bishop’s residence; another community was opened in 2008 in the diocese of Koupela to manage the diocesan reception centre. A community is currently awaiting its opening in the Diocese of Ottawa, Canada, to manage a residence for elderly priests. After several years of existence as a “Public association”, the new foundation of the Sisters of Our Lady of the Trinity was canonically recognized and erected as a Religious Institute of Diocesan Right in 2007.