Titus Zeman's story is an excellent example of fidelity to Don Bosco's cause, in particular through zeal and his desire to save the vocation of young Salesians with the arrival and during the time of the communist regime.
Fr Titus Zeman, a Slovak Salesian, was born into a Christian family on 4 January 1915 in Vajnory, near Bratislava. He had wanted to become a priest from the age of 10, and completed his secondary school and high school studies in the Salesian houses at Šaštín, Hronský Svätý Benedikt and Frištak u Holešova; he made his novitiate in 1931 and on 7 March 1938 he made his Perpetual Profession at Sacro Cuore in Rome.
A student of theology at the Gregorian University in Rome, and later in Chieri, he used his free time to do apostolate in the oratory. In Turin, 23 June 1940, he reached the much desired goal of priestly consecration, thanks to the laying on of hands of Card. Maurilio Fossati. He celebrated his first mass on 4 August 1940, in Vajnory, his native town .
When the Czechoslovakian communist regime banned religious orders in April 1950 and began to deport consecrated men and women to concentration camps, it became necessary to organise clandestine trips to Turin so the religious could complete their studies. Fr Zeman took charge of carrying out this risky activity.
The Servant of God organised two expeditions for over 60 young Salesians. On the third expedition, Fr Zeman was arrested along with the fugitives. He suffered a harsh trial, during which he was described as a traitor to the homeland and a Vatican spy, and the death penalty was suggested for him. On 22 February 1952, in consideration of some extenuating circumstances, he was sentenced to 25 years in prison.
Fr Zeman was released on probation after 12 years of imprisonment, on 10 March 1964. By now directly affected by his suffering in prison, he died five years later, on 8 January 1969, surrounded by the glorious reputation of martyrdom and holiness.
He went through this ordeal with a great spirit of sacrifice and self-giving: "Even if I lose my life, I would not consider it a waste, knowing that at least one of those I had helped became a priest in my place."
Prayer for the canonisation of Fr Titus Zeman
Almighty God,
you called Fr Titus Zeman to follow St John Bosco's charism.
Under the protection of Mary Help of Christians
he became a priest and an educator of the young.
He lived in accordance with your commandments,
and was known and respected among the people
for his friendly character and availability to everyone.
When the Church's enemeies suppressed human rights and freedom for the Faith,
Fr Titus did not lose courage and persevered in the way of truth.
Because of his fidelity to his Salesian vocation
and because of his generous service of hte Church, he was incarcerated and tortured.
He bravely resisted his torturers and was mocked and humiliated because of this.
He suffered it all out of love and with love.
We ask you, almighty Father, to grant that Blessed Titus
be enrolled among your saints
and through his intercession grant us tha grace that we now ask you.
Throuhg Christ Our Lord,
Amen!
Nulla osta: 22 January 2010
Colletta | Colletta e seconda Lettura | ![]() |
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Beatificazione | 2017.09.30 Zeman Tito Omelia del Card. Amato | ![]() |
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2017.10.01 Omelia del Rettor Maggiore don Ángel Fernández Artime | ![]() |
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Preghiere | Don Titus Zeman (2 kB) | ![]() |
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Documenti | Don Titus Zeman (230kB) | ![]() ![]() |
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Don Titus Zeman (12 kB) | ![]() ![]() |
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siti WEB | Titus bio summary www.tituszeman.sk/it www.tituszeman.sk/en www.tituszeman.sk/es www.tituszeman.sk/it/? www.flickr.com |
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Fotografie | Don Titus Zeman (1.2 MB) | ![]() |