Celestina Bottego was born on December 20, 1895, in Glendale, Ohio to an Irish immigrant mother and an Italian immigrant father. When she was 15 her father had to return to Parma, Italy to care for her grandparents. Bottego remained behind with her mother to help care for her younger siblings.

As a youth, Bottego and her family lived in Montana wher she was mentored by two religious women, Sisters Mida and Perfecta of the Sisters of Charity in Leavenworth, who encouraged her in her faith formation. A bright youth, she scored the highest score in the entire state of Montana on her 8th grade state exams, winning her a feature in the local newspaper, The Butte Miner! Eventually she, her mother, and her siblings joined her father in Italy, and she finished her education there. Upon graduation she became a teacher.

During her decades of teaching, Bottego, being inspired by another mentor, a local Benedictine abbot, decided to become a Benedictine Oblate at age 26. She also went on to found her diocesan chapter of the lay Catholic organization, Catholic Action, dedicating countless hours to charitable work — even providing a home for homeless youth in her family’s basement, catechizing them and helping them get on their feet. 

Her sister Mary became a Franciscan missionary to India during this time and, in 1935, when Bottego was 40, she took a month off to visit Mary and serve alongside her. While she was in India she cared for the sick and baptized over 40 babies! 

Once Bottego returned from India, she began work as an English teacher at the Institute of the Xaverian Missionaries in the diocese of Parma. Her superior at the Institute suggested she establish a women’s branch of the Missionaries. Initially she declined the idea but, she eventually she changed her mind and founded the Xavier Missionaries Sisters of Mary in 1945. Bottego became the General Superior of the order and was affectionately known by Mother Celestine by the women she served. Her Congregation stood out because they wore no habits, instead choosing to dress for the work that they would be doing among the people that they served, appearing as lay people instead of in the traditional garb of the women religious of the time. During a short stint with the Sisters in Massachusetts, she was supported in the decision to forgo the habit by American Bishop Fulton Sheen and many more.

While serving as General Superior, Mother Celestine had a reputation of being a practical woman with a calm demeanor and a love of literature and humor. She was someone who cared to get to know those around her. Throughout her entire adult life, she exchanged letters with her family, friends, and her fellow sisters all over the world exclaiming that she loved staying up to date with all of their activities.  Her reputation as a leader grew and she was invited to the opening sessions for the Second Vatican Council in Rome. She served as General Superior until she retired from the position 1966. In 1980 she died of breast cancer at age 85 and was declared venerable in 2013.

Prayer

Almighty and merciful Father, You placed in the heart of Mother Celestina Bottego the ardent desire that Your Kingdom spread throughout the world and made her capable of giving all of herself for the creation of a missionary Family. We humbly ask You to allow us to imitate her holiness of life and, through her intercession, to grant us the grace that we confidently ask of You.