Today, October 26, is the memorial of Blessed Celine Borzecka.
Co-foundress — along with her biological daughter Venerable Hedwig Borzecka — of the Sisters of the Resurrection.
Celine was born in 1833 in Belarus to Ignatius and Petronella, both wealthy landowners in Belarus. She wanted to pursue her religious vocation, but her family opposed it.
In obedience to her parents, she married Joseph Borzecka at age 20. She bore four children, two died in infancy. Daughters Celine and Hedwig imitated their mother’s holy life. She became a model Christian, who raised a God-fearing home and took care of the poor.
Her husband suffered a stroke and died. She went to Rome with Hedwig to discern whether she was really meant to follow her vocation. In 1887, she opened her school for girls, with her neighbor Monsignor Giacomo della Chiesa serving as chaplain. Monsignor Giacomo would later become Pope Benedict XV.
In 1891, Celine and her daughter Hedwig officially co-founded the Sisters of the Resurrection. With Mother Celine nearing retirement, Mother Hedwig was expected to replace her. However, Hedwig died suddenly at age 43 in the odor of sanctity. Hedwig was declared “Venerable” in 1982.
In her final days, Mother Celine said, “Be saints! In God there is happiness forever.”
She died in 1913. Pope Benedict XVI beatified her in 2007.