Celine Borzecka

Who was Celine Borzecka?

Mother Celine Chludzińska Borzęcka, also known as Blessed Celine Borzęcka, was a foundress, along with her daughter Hedwig Borzecka, of the Congregation of the Sisters of the Resurrection, a Roman Catholic religious institute.

Celine was born in Antowil, Orsza, formerly Poland, today in Belarus, one of the three children of wealthy land-owning parents, Ignatius and Petronella Chludzińska. Growing up, she considered a religious vocation, but out of obedience to her parents she married Joseph Borzęcki in 1853 becoming Celine Borzęcka. During their marriage, Celine gave birth to four children, two of whom died in infancy. She helped her husband manage their estate and educated her two daughters, Celine and Hedwig, at home.

In 1869 her husband Joseph had a stroke and was struck by paralysis. Seeking out the best medical treatment for her husand, Celine and her family moved to Vienna. Joseph died a few years later, after which Celine went with her two daughters, Celine and Hedwig, to Rome.

In Rome, she met Fr. Peter Semenenko, a co-founder of the Congregation of the Resurrection, who became her spiritual director. In 1882, Celine Borzęcka along with her daughter Hedwig and two other women began living as a religious community. In 1887, Celine Borzęcka opened her first school, where Monsingor Giacomo della Chiesa served as chaplain.