Fr. Celestine Rozewicz, OFM Conv., son of Joseph and Mary (Janus) Rozewicz, was born on October 26, 1896, in Milwaukee, WI. Impressed by the Franciscan Friars in his native parish, and moved by the grace of a religious vocation, Fr. Celestine decided to enter the Friars Minor Conventual. He was sent to Syracuse, NY, where, in the Novitiate of the Immaculate Conception province, he professed his simple vows of obedience, poverty and chastity on August 18, 1915. Three years later, on September 10, 1918, he pronounced his solemn vows. For his philosophical and theological studies his Superiors sent him to the Seraphic College of St. Bonaventure, Rome, Italy. He was ordained to the priesthood on April 1, 1922.
After four years as an associate pastor in various Province churches, in 1926 Fr. Celestine was appointed pastor of the newly-organized parish of St. Anthony of Padua, Willimansett (Chicopee), MA. Through his untiring efforts, plans were formulated and on July 25, 1926, ground was broken for the combination church and school building that was to be erected at the cost of $75,000.00. On Palm Sunday, April 10, 1927, the first Mass was celebrated by Father Celestin. His Excellency, the Most Reverend Thomas M. O'Leary, Bishop of Springfield, blessed the cornerstone and the new Church Building on May 29, 1927. Fr. Celestine lived in a room over the sacristy until the Parish rectory was completed for Christmas, 1928. Fr. Celestine labored zealously as Pastor of the Parish until 1939. In recognition of his work, the city officials named the street in back of the church "Celestine Street" in his honor. Fr. Celestine then served as Pastor in the following Parishes of the Province: St. Stanislaus Kostka, Baltimore, MD (1939-1948); St. Stanislaus Kostka, Shamokin, PA (1948-1960); Queen of the Most Holy Rosary, Buffalo, NY. Due to his failing eyesight, Father Celestine was appointed to Corpus Christi Church, Buffalo, New York, where he completed his earthly on June 17, 1982, in the 82nd year of his life, 67th of his religious profession and 60th of his priesthood. A concelebrated Mass of Christian Burial was offered by the Minister Provincial, Fr. Daniel Pietrzak, in the presence of his confreres, family members and parishioners of Corpus Christi. The mortal remains were laid to rest on June 21, 1982, in St. Stanislaus Cemetery, Buffalo, NY (cemetery #2n, "New Cemetery," Circle 3, Line 3, Grave 10). Fr. Celestine is well remembered by the Friars and his parishioners as a great magician. In recognition of fifty years of conscientious support of the International Brotherhood of Magicians and its Objects, he was named to members in the Order of Merlin Excalibur.