Mother De La Trinite, Little Sisters Of The Poor Leader, Dies

Mother Marie Antoinette de la Trinite, the superior general of the Little Sisters of the Poor who was instrumental in expanding the order’s presence worldwide, has died. She was 76.

The order said Mother de la Trinite died Wednesday. It gave no cause of death.

Born Florence Monier on Feb. 18, 1920, Mother de la Trinite joined the order in 1942, rather than attending medical school as her father wanted. She took her final vows seven years later.

In 1957 she was named provincial superior in Brittany. Seven years later she became the order’s secretary general, a post she held until her death.

Mother de la Trinite was responsible for opening 32 missions around the world. Today, 3,700 nuns belong to the Little Sisters of the Poor in 30 countries, including the United States.

Mother de la Trinite was also a vocal opponent of euthanasia.