In one of her inspirational speeches in which she exhorts her spellbound audience to hold their family close, a Nigerian writer, Chimamanda Ngozi, says that “family doesn’t necessarily mean those to whom you’re related by blood or by social institutions.” True to African wisdom, love, more than blood or law, is the most important thread that binds people together into a family.
For what is a family without love? Our experience as priests from several African countries living and studying in Warsaw confirms the truth of what Ngozi says. Many of us came to Poland for the very first time when our bishops asked us to come and study. We knew nobody in Poland, but, for love of Christ and his Church and in obedience, we left our families, friends and countries to come to this faraway land that almost everything about it seemed strange to us. But we came also with the hope of making new families and friends; and our hope had not been in vain. Although we are related to nobody in Poland by blood, we do feel at home because Polish people have opened to us the doors of their homes. We, as individuals and as a group, have met people whose love and concern assure us that there is nothing to worry about.
One of such events during which we relate with Polish families took place last Saturday, 19th June, 2021. It was at the home of Dorota and Robert Wawrzyniak.
They had invited us to their residence at Milanowek for barbecue. Alongside two of our professors: Ks Mariusz Boguszewski and Ks Cislo Waldemar, ten of us honoured the invitation of this lovely couple. A few minutes to 2 pm we were already at their home and, after an exchange of cordialities, we said a prayer for the family and handed to Robert and Dorota a beautiful bouquet which Professor Waldamar had thoughtfully prepared for the occasion. The joy of having us at their home was visible in the smiles of our hosts and their friends who ushered us to our various seats. There were many stories and much fun. It goes without saying that there was much to eat and drink. One could hear one of the priests from Africa exclaiming to a friend like Peter at the Transfiguration: “Lord, it is wonderful for us to be here…”. This is the third consecutive year that the Wawrzyniaks have invited us to their home for barbecue; and we have always left with the impression that “it is wonderful to be here”.
But over and above food and drink, beyond the barbecue, this family shares with us an abundance of love which words may not adequately describe. It is a love inspired by Christ Jesus who commands his followers to “love one another as I have loved you” (Jn 13: 34-35). Dorota and Robert have made us live the truth of the saying that “family doesn’t necessarily mean those to whom you’re related by blood or by social institutions.” Our prayer is that God who is love may continue to bless this family and all their friends with a love that knows no end, with inner peace, joy and happiness.
ks. Marcel Kpudzeka z Kamerunu
