Reinhardt, Celestine Anne

• Sister Celestine Reinhardt, SOS

Born 13 February 1914 in Lajord, Saskatchewan, daughter of Joseph Reinhardt and Agatha Bast; entered 2 August 1936; first vows 2 February 1939; final vows 24 August 1944; died 5 January 2000.

Celestine was born and raised on a farm in the German Catholic district east of Regina. After attending local schools until Grade 10, she completed a three-month course of typing and bookkeeping at Success Business College in Regina. . In June 1935, a year after the sisters established its catechetical mission in Regina, she attended a lecture by Sister General Florence Regan, who presented slides of the sisters' activities. After that presentation, Celestine, who had been considering religious life, entered the novitiate in August 1936 at the age of 22. She professed first vows on February 2, 1939, and final vows on August 24, 1944.

For the next 50 years, Sister Reinhardt served in the rural prairie missions. As a novice, she was posted to the women’s residence in Winnipeg (1938-1940) before returning to Toronto for first vows. Using her business training, she was transferred to St. John’s Hospital, Edson (1940-1944) to assist with the office work. At the next assignment, the teaching mission of Sinnett, Saskatchewan (1944-1948), she assisted in the teaching while understanding the culture of the isolated prairie farming area from her childhood. After a second appointment to the Winnipeg residence (1948-1949) and a year (1949-1950) at the Toronto Motherhouse, she embarked on a teaching career.

In Saskatoon (1950-1951), she attended Normal School to earn a teaching certificate. Accordingly, she was assigned to teaching missions, starting with Camp Morton, Manitoba at King Edward School No. 1 (1951-1960, superior 1953-1960), when foundress Sister Catherine Donnelly returned to retire. Moving to northern Alberta communities, she taught at Manning (1960-1966, superior 1960-1966), Peace River (1966-1968) and Hawk Hills (1968-1977).

After leaving Hawk Hills, Sister Reinhardt moved to the Regina catechetical mission. Until her health deteriorated, she continued the institute’s assistance to new immigrants by teaching English. Diagnosed with congestive heart failure, Sister Reinhardt died at the sisters' residence in Regina on January 5, 2000 at the age of 85. Regina Archbishop Peter Mallon and pastor Fr. Louis Kubash concelebrated the Mass of Christian Burial. Sister Reinhardt is buried at the Reinhardt family plot at Riverside Memorial Park, Regina.

Created by F Rousselle June 25, 2025.
Revised by F Rousselle June 27, 2025.

Biographical sketch adapted for brevity from complete biography written by SOS congregational archivist MC Havey.