Deceased Friars

Celestine Bittenbender, OFM

Celestine Bittenbender

1899 – 1974

Fr. Celestine Bittenbender, OFM, was born in Locust Gap, Pa., on Oct. 21, 1899. He entered the Province’s novitiate at St. Bonaventure Friary in Paterson, N.J., in 1921.

In 1922, he professed temporary vows and made his profession of solemn in 1925. Fr. Celestine and was ordained a priest in 1928.

He died Aug. 17, 1974, in Philadelphia, Pa. He was 74 years old, a professed friar for 52 years and a priest for 46 years.

Each of us should be called a lesser brother, a Friar Minor. Each one of us should wash the feet of the others.”

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Celestine Bittenbender, OFM

Celestine Bittenbender

1899 – 1974

Fr. Celestine Bittenbender, OFM, was born in Locust Gap, Pa., on Oct. 21, 1899. He entered the Province’s novitiate at St. Bonaventure Friary in Paterson, N.J., in 1921.

In 1922, he professed temporary vows and made his profession of solemn in 1925. Fr. Celestine and was ordained a priest in 1928.

He died Aug. 17, 1974, in Philadelphia, Pa. He was 74 years old, a professed friar for 52 years and a priest for 46 years.