Though Enzo died many years before I was born, I have been given the exciting and provoking experience of having met and continuing to meet him through the impact he had on the lives of others through stories told of a uniquely mysterious man. At the New York Encounter this past year (2025), I listened to a witness to his life and began reading Dearest Friend, a book recently published by Human Adventure Books

From the beginning I was struck by a man who lived life so fully and intentionally. I was quickly fascinated by a holy man who was so human and relatable. Stories of his faults were told as joyfully as the stories that highlighted his positive impact. Throughout the entire book, Enzo’s life was a provocation to me that the life of a saint is not about perfection, but in his ability to fully embrace all of life. As I discovered more about Enzo and his life, I became aware that he is a model to me of what a real man is and who I want to become, one who does not hide or run from reality, but who lives each day “all in”, giving everything he can to each thing he does knowing that God will provide and be found there.

Visiting his tomb on a CLU pilgrimage and hearing more about him, he pushed me to two clear resolutions: to be a man in an era of distractedness and mindlessness by living all of life intentionally and to ask God for all things trusting in His mercy and wisdom because life is too short and unpredictable not to ask. I know that this is the beginning of a longer spiritual friendship because his life and words continually challenge me to face destiny, to face uncomfortable and painful situations with hope that God makes all things good, and not worry about perfection, but rather in all things, even sin and failing, to listen for the voice of the One who loves me.

John Weisser, Penn State University