Memorial – November 12
Martyr for the Unity of the Church – Pray for us.
Saint Josaphat Kuncevyc was born around 1580 in Volodymyr, in present-day Ukraine. From his youth he longed to serve God and bring peace to a divided Church.
He entered the Basilian Order (according to tradition at age 24) and was ordained a priest in 1609. In 1617 he became Archbishop of Polotsk, a vast diocese torn by misunderstanding between Catholics and Orthodox. With gentleness and courage, he rebuilt parishes, encouraged the clergy, and worked tirelessly for the unity of Christians.
While visiting the city of Vitebsk, Josaphat was attacked by an angry crowd opposed to Church union. Before dying, he prayed for his attackers, forgiving them completely.
His body, later found incorrupt, became a sign of God’s grace and the beginning of many reported miracles.
The cause for his canonization began only five years after his death.
He was beatified in 1643 and canonized in 1867 by Pope Pius IX.
During the Second Vatican Council, his relics were transferred to Saint Peter’s Basilica in Rome, where they rest today at the high altar—a beautiful reminder that his life’s mission for Christian unity continues in the heart of the universal Church.
Feast (Memorial): November 12 – Universal Calendar (Roman Missal)
Old-Calendar Churches: First Sunday after November 12 (Julian Calendar)
Readings:
Hebrews 2:2-10 – “The salvation first announced by the Lord was confirmed to us by those who heard him.”
Luke 10:16-21 – “The seventy-two returned with joy, saying, ‘Lord, even the demons submit to us in your name.’”
Hymns:
The Byzantine Church honours Saint Josaphat with the Troparion and Kontakion of Tone 4, found in the official Typikon. These hymns praise him as a faithful shepherd who gave his life for the unity of Christ’s flock.
Saint Josaphat is venerated as a patron of Christian unity, reconciliation, and courage in faith.
He calls all believers to heal divisions and to walk together as one people under Christ the Good Shepherd.
O holy Martyr Josaphat, faithful shepherd and friend of peace,
strengthen us to love as you loved,
to forgive as you forgave,
and to seek unity in Christ above all things.
Through your intercession,
may we become one flock under one Shepherd. Amen.
For those wishing to go deeper, the following trusted Catholic sources provide background and liturgical information:
Roman Missal – General Roman Calendar, Memorial of St Josaphat, 12 Nov.
Catholic Encyclopedia, “St Josaphat Kuncevyc” (New Advent).
Loyola Press, “Saint Josaphat Kuncevyc – Saints Stories for All Ages.”
Catechism of the Ukrainian Catholic Church – on the communion of saints and the call to unity.
