Brother Zeno in my memory

Many times, as a young boy, I have heard about my uncle, Br. Zeno, working as a missionary in Japan. Although I have never met him personally, I feel as if I actually did. I got to know him quite well through the many letters and pictures sent to my parents in Poland by him and his colleagues from Nippon. I learned about his wonderful missionary work in the “Land of The Rising Sun.” That he survived the blast of an atomic bomb in Nagasaki during World War II. I knew that my uncle was deeply concerned about spreading the Good News of Christianity on the Japanese soil. He was always very busy doing his missionary work, showing the people of Japan the real meaning of God’s Love. I was so very proud knowing that he was my uncle. In certain ways, he became my hero. I always dreamed of meeting him one day. In fact, my childhood dream became a reality when, one day the wonderful news arrived that, on the way to Rome, Br. Zeno will be visiting us in his native land, Poland. I was overjoyed by this news. We were all anxiously awaiting his arrival. Finally, one afternoon, my lucky day arrived. Br. Zeno, my hero, with white beard, in his black Franciscan habit, stood in front of me! I think it was one of the happiest days of my life. Everybody in the family was so happy, but I was the happiest one of them all. The joy I felt in meeting him and talking with him brought me so much closer to him. Just knowing that I could touch him, that he is real, made me realize the closeness between us. Brother Zeno was, also very happy to meet with members of his family at this beautiful family reunion. He was as eager to meet his old friends, as they were to meet him. During his stay in Poland, Br. Zeno had daily visits from people who wanted to meet him, talk with him and shake his hand. He was very busy in different churches, meeting many people who were anxious to meet and see him. I learned from his letters and photos, that, Br. Zeno was a very famous person in Japan. He had very many loving and noble friends, including the Emperor Hirohito as well as, officials from the government. His friendship reached many on every level of the Japanese Society. Because of his great Christian love toward the needy and his charitable work in different parts of the country, Br. Zeno was well known and loved by everyone in Japan. The whole country of Japan heard about the institutions established by Br. Zeno, called “Ari no Machi”. His amazing charitable work was also, recognized by the Japanese Government.

Br. Zeno never let his fame go to his head. In the land of,” The Cherry Blossom”, he was just a very simple and humble man who conducted himself like any average person. Brother Zeno made people around him very happy with his easygoing nature and jovial ways with everyone around him. When I was in his presence, I felt his positive and spiritual energy emitting from his heart. It was easy for everyone to notice that he was a person of inner peace. Although he was quite exhausted, he always had time for anyone who wished to see him. Looking back in my memory, I recall how much he touched me with his remarkable personality. I was always very happy to talk with him. I delighted in “bombarding” him with thousands of questions about his Franciscan life, about his missionary work, about the culture and the people of Japan. As I remember, he patiently and humbly answered all of them. In our discussions, he often underlined that he did not do anything out of the extraordinary; he just tried doing what God wanted him to. By listening to him, everyone could understand that he was not looking for personal fame. All he wanted was just to manifest the pure Love of God toward the needy people in Japan and outside its border. Through his Franciscan way of life and charitable work, he simply wanted to bring back inner peace and smiles to the faces of those needy people who were experiencing the different difficulties of life. My uncle’s view of life impressed me remarkably. As a young boy, I can recall him asking me about my plans in the future. I, as all young boys, had many different ideas in my head. At that time, I thought about becoming a pilot, a seaman, an engineer, a mechanic. I never forgot his words at the end of that conversation, he said, “George, remember: whatever you will do in your life – be a good person and don’t forget about God.” Surely, that was his momentum. I always remembered that conversation in the course of my later life. After his departure from Poland and our family, I thought about him often and about his missionary work in Japan. His dedicated life became a beautiful example of real love for the less fortunate of the land. Later on, I learned that, his unlimited love and great compassion sown in the soil of Japan, was inspiring the true spirit of voluntarism, goodwill and real love for the needy among the people around the globe. Looking back into my life, I can proudly express that Br. Zeno motivated me to join the forces of those people who, like him, through dedication of their lives would touch the hearts and minds of the less fortunate of our times. It was he, my uncle Zeno, who inspired my life. I wrote my thesis about his missionary work in Japan. Owing to Brother Zeno, I became a Franciscan priest 14 years ago. In following in his footsteps, I have already worked for eight years among the poor people of Kenya in Africa. I am presently and have been working in Montreal, Canada in a local Mission since 1995. For me, or anyone else, Brother Zeno will always serve as a great example to follow or to imitate.

Brother Zeno’s nephew

Fr. Jerzy (George) Zebrowski