FOUNDATION HISTORY

The Handmaids of the Divine Redeemer (HDR) is an indigenous Congregation of religious Women based in Ghana, and was founded by the late Bishop Joseph Oliver Bowers, SVD, (Divine Word Missionary) in 1957 as the Bishop of the then Diocese of Accra, Ghana. In the course of his ministerial administration, he identified a need to educate girls specifically, with the intention of bridging the educational inequality gap between girls and boys. In view of that, he felt a great need to form a congregation of religious women that would help educate girls and women in general. Bishop Bowers’ focus on Women Religious Congregation was to fulfill the need of the development and empowerment of girls/women Ghana. He believed that it is not possible to engage in women’s affairs without considering its implications for children, sick, orphans and the aged, because women are the pillars in child caring and home makers.

In 1952, during the Episcopate of Most Rev. Aldolf A. Noser, SVD, the first attempt was made to establish an indigenous Religious Congregation for women in the then Diocese of Accra. Elizabeth Cobbina was the first aspirant from Kumasi. In 1953 she was joined by three other girls; two from Akyim Swedru and one from Nkawkaw. Sr. Virginia Althoff, SSpS (Missionary Sisters, Servants of the Holy Spirit) was appointed Mistress of the group. Soon, all the aspirants returned home. Bishop Noser was transferred to Paupa New Guinea and was succeeded by Most Rev. Joseph Oliver Bowers, SVD, in September 1953.

In 1954 second attempt by Bishop Joseph Oliver Bowers, SVD finally gave birth to the Handmaids of the Divine Redeemer of Accra with: Elizabeth Cobbina, Antonia Kofie from Akyim Swedru, Regina Asare from Kibi, Veronica Sesi from Battor and Anna Gagli, from Tsevie in Togo.

Sister Virginia later left on health grounds to Steyl, Holland. Bishop Bowers solicited the help of the Missionary Sisters, Servant of the Holy Spirit (SSps) Superior General Sister Jane Le Frois, and Sister Providencia Hein, SSpS, was appointed mistress of the aspirants. They lived on the compound of the SSps Sisters, Most Pure Heart of Mary Convent in Korle Gonno, Accra. Some of the girls were enrolled for studies at St. Mary’s Secondary School while others were taught in the Convent by Sr. Patrice, SSpS, the late Fr. George Wilson, SVD, and Fr. Bernard Ato, a diocesan priest. They attended Mass at Sacred Heart Church, Derby Avenue.

From Korle Gonno they relocated to the famous “Red House” at the Holy Spirit Cathedral, Adabraka, where community life began. Bishop Bowers and Fr. Wilson took turns to celebrate Mass for them. However, their new place soon became too small as more candidates continued to join the group. Plans for a permanent convent were made and an old cemetery plot on the mission grounds in Agomanya was offered for that purpose.

From Korle Gonno they relocated to the famous “Red House” at the Holy Spirit Cathedral, Adabraka, where community life began. Bishop Bowers and Fr. Wilson took turns to celebrate Mass for them. However, their new place soon became too small as more candidates continued to join the group. Plans for a permanent convent were made and an old cemetery plot on the mission grounds in Agomanya was offered for that purpose.

In 1955, the late Brother Damien, SVD, and other workers broke the grounds for the foundation of the new convent which was to serve as the Mother House and Novitiate for the Congregation. On June 10, 1955, the convent in Agomanya was blessed by Bishop Joseph Oliver Bowers and the congregation was officially named “Handmaids of the Divine Redeemer of Accra”. (Ancillae Accransis Divini Redemptoris). The name summarized the qualities which should motivate the members in exercising their charism of practical service. The first formal step towards Religious Life was taken by the candidates on 8th September, 1955 when Antonia Kofie, Veronica Sesi and Anna Gagli became Postulants. Martina Adams joined them in the Postulancy in January 1957.

On February 2, 1957, the feast of Presentation of the Lord, the Formal Decree of Erection of our Congregation was given. On 25th March, 1957, the first group of Postulants, namely Antonia, Veronica, Anna and Martina were received in the Novitiate. New names were bestowed on them. Antonia Kofie became Sister Mary Perpetua Kofie, Veronica Sesi became Sister Mary Petrina Sesi, Anna Gagli became Sister Mary Fidelis Gagli and Martina Adams became Sister Mary Theresa Adams. This marked the official foundation of the Congregation with the above foundation members.

In 1971, Bishop Bowers was transferred to the West Indies, and Bishop Dominic Kwodwo Andoh the first Diocesan Bishop succeeded him and continued to direct and care for the affairs of the Congregation. All this while, Mother Providencia continued the formation of the Sisters and nurtured the Congregation together with Archbishop Dominic Kwodwo Andoh.

Meanwhile, Archbishop Andoh worked towards the idea of members having full participation in the governance of the Congregation. Accordingly, the first General Chapter was held in September 1981. Mother Vincentia Mensah, HDR was elected the first Superior General.

In 2005, when Archbishop Dominic Kwodwo Andoh retired, Acrhbishop Charles Gabriel Palmer-Buckle took over and became the Moderator of the HDR Congregation till date.