Venerable Antonino Celona, the servant of God, was born in Messina, Italy, on April 13, 1873.

As a teenager, in answer to God’s call to the priesthood, he entered the Diocesan Seminary where he progressed in studies and virtues. After his ordination on December 21, 1885, he studied in Rome where he obtained his doctorate in Theology and Canon Law. When he returned to his diocese, he was appointed as the bishop’s personal secretary and Spiritual director of the Seminary. Thus, Msgr. Celona began his priestly ministry dedicating his life to prayer, study preaching and spiritual direction to the souls entrusted to his care. He has a special love for the holy Eucharist, the Blessed Mother, and the Church.

It was the earthquake of December 28, 1908, destroying his beloved city of Messina, creating material and spiritual misery, that prompted him- through the revelation of the Holy Spirit- to help reconstruct the spiritual aspect of the city.

In 1915, Msgr. Celona founded the Lay Association of the “Daughters of Mary”. In addition, he established an association of young adults known as the “Little Handmaids”. It was from this small band of girls that he established a religious community known as the Handmaids of Reparation of the Sacred Heart of Jesus”, thereby realizing a long-sought dream. He was not spared suffering, but through all of this, his strength was found in: “God’s will be done”. He accepted humiliations, ingratitude and even exile in the Spirit of Reparation.

In the last years of his life Msgr. Celona spent many hours in adoration before the Blessed Sacrament. To one of the Sisters, he wrote: “God gave me special devotion for the Holy Eucharist, that is how the work of Reparation began. Reparation is a work sprang from the heart of God.”

His great love for Mary was best Expressed- “Love Mary, put yourself under her direction. Think her thoughts, speak her words, imitate her dignity. Participate in her sufferings and everything will speak of Jesus. Honor Mary in the Holy Eucharist and have great devotion to the Rosary.” God called Msgr. Celona to the Eternal Kingdom on October 15, 1952, leaving a flourishing Religious Order of Sisters.

On 5 June 2015, the Cardinal Prefect His Eminence Angelo Amato issues the "Decretum Super Virtutibus". In light of the aforementioned process, Pope Francis confers on Msgr. Celona the title of "Venerable".

 May he intercede for us from heaven and may the Spirit of Reparation spread to the furthest corner of the earth.