Father Leonard Kostka, C.PP.S., the oldest living Missionary of the Precious Blood, celebrated his 100th birthday with a party at St. Charles Center in Carthagena, Ohio, on March 1. The party was hosted by Saint Joseph’s College, where he ministered as a professor of religion and chaplain for many years. Father Kostka delighted his many friends and family members at the party with a series of anecdotes about his long life, which he said still amazes him. “I woke up this morning and said, ‘You’re 100 now!’ Yesterday you were only 99,” he said. He continues to pray for the Congregation to which he pledged his life, and promotes the spirituality of the Precious Blood with the same passion as when he was ordained in 1940.

Text and photo –  Jean Giesige, Cincinnati Province
Youtube video courtesy of Saint Joseph’s College