Beloved nun, 103, lovingly remembered by nephew
By Joseph Ventura
My aunt, Sister Celerina Ventura,
Mother superior of the Francis of Assisi
Order (Suore Stimmatine), died Febru-
ary 1, at Santa Casa de Misericordia in
Sao Carlos, Brazil. She was 103. There
were more than 2 thousand people at-
tending the funeral, including the Arch-
bishop of Sao Carlos and the Governor
of Brazil. A Mass of Celebration for the
beloved Mother was celebrated by Father
Mark Ropel , Sunday, February 23 in St.
Thomas Catholic Church, Hattiesburg.
Mother Celerina, an Italian nun born
in Muro Lucano, Italy, served the Cath-
olic church for more than 85 years, 40
years in Italy and 45 years as an aposto-
late at Villa Santa Isabel in Sao Carlos,
Brazil. She broke the record as the lon-
gest serving nun, whose duty, as a mis-
sionary, was to serve the children and the
poor of Brazil.
In 2011, on her 100th birthday (see
photo), Mother Celerina was named Am-
bassador of Peace and Culture by the
Mayor and the Governor of Sao Carlos.
During her centennial, a large multi-pur-
pose cafeteria for the children and the poor was named
after her. In 2013, she was named “Woman of the Year”
by the Brazilian government.
The religious activity of Mother Celerina was dy-
namic. In fact, she wore the religious habit for the
first time in Muro Lucano, Italy, in 1928 and became
a Catholic nun on May 10, 1930, in Trespiano, Italy.
Her first assignment was in a convent at Portico di Ro-
magna (Forlì), then at Cortona (Tuscany) and at Candeli
(Florence). She became Mother Superior in 1951 in the
community of Greve in Chianti (Siena); subsequently
in Abbadia San Salvatore, and then she was appointed
administrator of the institute of “Casa Gioiosa” in Chi-
anciano Terme. After additional duties of responsibility
at the main Franciscan headquarters in Rome, and at
“La Fantina” Institute in Florence, she was then trans-
ferred to the United States in 1965.
During her tenure in the States, Mother Celerina and
two other nuns started and operated the PIME (Pontifi-
cal Institute for Foreign Missions) Missionaries in Oak-
land, New Jersey. In 1968, having attained her senior
age, she was called back home to Italy for her retire-
ment. Instead, she asked her superior in Rome to con-
tinue her mission worldwide. The Mother General Su-
perior approved her request, and Mother Celerina was
then transferred to Sao Carlos, Brazil.
During her stay at Villa San Isabel in Brazil, Mother
Celerina continued her mission. She fed and clothed the
poor and the children for 45 years. Ten years ago she
was called back to Rome in acknowledgement of her
75 years in the service of God. She was
given a round trip ticket to New York to
visit with her brother Girolamo. On this
trip she was accompanied by her niece
Sister Angela Ventura, also a nun, from
Florence, Italy. Both were reunited with
the entire Ventura Family, in New Jersey.
Ten years ago she celebrated her 75h
Anniversary of Religious Life in Gar-
field, New Jersey, where her mother Lu-
cia Lombardi Ventura, a premature wid-
ow of four children, resided. In 1913 her
mother came to the United States from
Italy for a better life. In Hoboken she met
Antonio Sinatra, remarried, and had five
more children. Mrs. Lucy Sinatra died at
the age 102, in 1989.
The “Te Deum” Mass for the 75th
Anniversary Renewal of Vows was cel-
ebrated at Mount Virgin Roman Catholic
Church in Garfield, New Jersey. Cel-
ebrant was Reverend Alfonso Picone.
Concelebrants were Father Peter Palmi-
sano, pastor of the church, and Father
Thomas Barbona of the “Adorno Fa-
thers”. And at the convivial encounter
which took place after the liturgical cel-
ebration, Mother Celerina was the cen-
ter of attention of her family and friends who came to
express their best wishes for a job well done. During
the party she was presented by Father Barbona the Ap-
ostolic Blessing from Pope Benedict XVI. In addition,
she was the recipient of a Proclamation by Frank J.
Calandriello, mayor of the city of Garfield, New Jer-
sey, and a letter of congratulations by Consul General of
Italy at Newark, the honorable Dr. Paolo Toschi.
Mother Celerina Ventura continued her mission
work in Brazil until God called her home at the re-
markable age of 103. May she rest in Peace!
Joseph Ventura is the nephew of Mother Celeri-
na Ventura. He is a member of St. Thomas Catholic
Church, Hattiesburg.
Mother Celerina, third from left, is pictured at a celebration of her 100th birthday.
The beloved nun, superior of the Francis of Assisi Order (Suore Stimmatine),
died February 1, 2014, at Santa Casa de Misericordia in Sao Carlos, Brazil. She
was 103. She is the aunt of Hattiesburg, St. Thomas Aquinas parishioner Joseph
Ventura.
Most Holy Trinity Parish Men’s Club presents checks to local charities
On February 18, several charitable organizations were presented checks from Most Holy
Trinity Men’s Club. The funds awarded were raised at the 15th Annual golf tournament held
at the Diamondhead Country Pine Course on November 9, 2013. There was a full field of 128
players and 94 hole sponsors. All of the money received from sponsors funds goes to charity.
Following the tournament, lunch and refreshments were served in the country club. A total of
52 items were auctioned off. There were 76 tee prizes distributed. For information about the
annual golf tournament or Men’s Club contact Larry McKay at (228) 255-0800.
An award plaque of appreciation was presented to Paula Gonzalez. She provided
outstanding administrative, logistical and communications support for the complete
tournament.
Charities that received award checks are Hancock Food Pantry, Hancock North Central
Elementary School, Hope Haven Children Services, Long Beach Food Pantry, St. Gerard
Community Outreach, and St. Vincent de Paul Pharmacy Hancock County.
Gulf Pine Catholic
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March 28, 2014
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