“When we are young and searching for identity and meaning, we look outward to others… These people bring out the ideals and convictions stirring within us, and as mentors, teachers, and guides, they introduce us to aspects of ourselves of which we were unaware.”
— Edward Sellner
These words by Edward Sellner beautifully reflect my own experience in my growth journey—a time when I was earnestly searching for identity and a life of purpose. By the grace of God, I met Father George Zee.
I first encountered Father Zee in 1980, when a friend invited me to attend a personal growth workshop he was leading. At the time, I was a timid and shy young adult who lacked confidence. Yet deep inside, there was a yearning for change and inner growth. That yearning led me to say yes.
Father Zee was nothing like the priests I had encountered before—stern, distant, and fond of giving instructions. He was the opposite: creative, dynamic, and refreshingly liberal. He favoured stories, images, and interactive activities over lengthy lectures. He led us through awareness exercises that opened my senses in unexpected ways. I vividly remember one exercise focused on bodily sensations. For the first time, I felt a profound intimacy with my own body. The quiet emergence of “my being” brought a peace I had never known before.
More than just a guide, Father Zee was a gentle disruptor. He invited us to question old ways of thinking. “I am angry because so-and-so did such a thing to me,” we would say. But Father Zee would challenge us: “Nobody can make you angry. It is your own perception that matters.” At first, this idea felt alien—even unsettling. But the moment I accepted that my inner world determined my response to life, I opened myself to a new journey of self-discovery. I came to see how much of my thought, perception, and behaviour had been shaped—programmed, even—by early experiences. Awareness of this brought liberation through greater self-acceptance.
Another powerful truth he imparted was this: although my family greatly influenced my personality, they did not define my destiny. I alone held the responsibility to decide who I would become. “Each of us,” he would remind us, “is responsible for our life—whether it turns out good or bad.” Those words lit a fire within me. They gave me courage to stand up and take a bold turn in my life’s direction.
Looking back, I consider Father Zee my first mentor in life. He challenged me to question, to explore, to break free from prefabricated moulds, to move beyond stereotypes, and above all, to dare to live as my authentic self. He set me on a journey of self-discovery and inner freedom. I haven’t reached the destination, but along the way, I’ve encountered the God who dwells at the heart of my being.
News of Father Zee’s passing brought forth both sadness and deep gratitude. At the vigil Mass, I gazed at the photo of him with his familiar gentle smile. And I knew—he had reached the infinite horizon.
Sister Rita Chung
