The Congregation of the Sisters of the Resurrection, also known as the Resurrection Sisters, was founded in Rome by a widow and her daughter in 1891, the first time that a Roman Catholic religious community of women was founded by a mother and daughter. Celine Chludzińska was born in the Russian Empire, an area that is now Belarus, as one of three children of a wealthy landowner, and baptized Celine Rozalia Leonarda. Although she desired a religious vocation, out of obedience to her parents she married Józef Borzęcki in 1853, to whom she gave birth to four children. After having suffered a stroke, her husband died in 1874, after which his widow traveled to Rome with her two surviving daughters, Celine and Hedwig. In Rome, she, along with her daughter, Hedwig and two other women, began living as a religious cluster. In Rome, she met Father Peter Semenenko, the Superior General of the Resurrectionist Fathers, who became her spiritual director. In 1887, she opened a school, where Monsignor Giacomo della Chiesa, who later became Pope Benedict XV, served as chaplain. In 1891, she founded the Sisters of the Resurrection in Rome, and both she and her daughter made their final vows in the presence of Cardinal Lucido Maria Parocchi. Soon after the founding of the religious community, it broadened its ministry by opening homes in Poland. After nine years, Mother Celine accepted an invitation from the Fathers of the Resurrection to send Sisters to America. Although Celine and Hedwig remained in Europe, four sisters left Italy for Chicago in 1900. Today, the Church recognizes both of them as Venerable, or as Blessed Mother Celine Borzecka and the Venerable Servant of God, Mother Hedwig Borzecka. The Congregation of the Sisters of the Resurrection are part of the Congregation of the Resurrection, which announces and gives witness to the Paschal Mystery, and includes the Fathers of the Resurrection, and a lay association.
Recommended Resources
Sisters of the Resurrection of Our Lord Jesus Christ
The Congregation of the Sisters of the Resurrection was founded in 1891 by Celine Borzecka and her daughter, Hedwig, with the encouragement of Father Semenenko, Superior General of the Resurrectionist Fathers. The New York Province is based in Castleton. Its history, charism, location, and lay associates are featured, with information about its apostolate, formation, and contacts.
http://resurrectionsisters.org/
Sisters of the Resurrection, Immaculate Conception Province
The headquarters for the Immaculate Conception Province of the Sisters of the Resurrection is in northwestern Chicago, a campus that includes the Provincial Home, Resurrection High School, Resurrection Medical Center, Resurrection Retirement Community, Resurrection Life Center, and other facilities and programs, which are highlighted here, along with a gallery of photographs and contacts.
http://www.crsisterschicago.org/
