Priest (December 7, 2012)
He showed zeal and love to save the vocations of young Salesians under the Communist regime
Fr. Titus Zeman’s story is an excellent example of faithfulness to Don Bosco’s cause, especially through the zeal and love shown to save the vocations of young Salesians under the Communist regime.
Fr. Titus, A Slovakian Salesian, was born into a Catholic family on January 4, 1915 at Vajnory, near Bratislava. From the age of 10 he had wanted to become a priest, and completed his secondary studies at the Salesian house at Šaštín, Hronský Svätý Benedikt and Frištak u Holešova. In 1931 he entered the novitiate; and on March 7, 1938 he made his perpetual profession at Sacred Heart in Rome.
He did his theology at the Gregorian University in Rome, and then went to Chieri, where he occupied his free time at the Oratory. He was ordained to the priesthood on June 23, 1940 in Turin at the hands of Cardinal Maurilio Fossati. On August 4, 1940 in Vajnory, the town of his birth, he celebrated his first Mass.
In April 1950, when the Communist regime in Czechoslovakia banned religious and began deporting many of them to concentration camps, it became necessary to organize clandestine trips to Turin so young religious could complete their studies. Fr. Zeman undertook the organization of this risky activity.
The Servant of God organized two expeditions of more than 60 young Salesians. During a third, Fr. Zeman, along with the other fugitives, was arrested. He then underwent a difficult trial, during which he was accused of being a traitor to his country and a Vatican spy, and he risked the death penalty. On February 22, 1952, in consideration of attenuating circumstances, he was instead condemned to 25 years in prison.
Fr Zeman was released from prison after 12 years on March 10, 1964. By now, suffering obviously from the long ordeal in prison he died five years later, on January 8, 1969, very much known for his holiness and indeed his martyrdom.
He lived his life of suffering with a great spirit of sacrifice and as an offering, “Even if I lose my life I do not consider it a waste, knowing that at least one of those whom I have saved has become a priest to take my place.”
