Image: Józef Simmler, Martyrdom of St. Josaphat Kuntsevych, c. 1861. Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons. (source)
Ego sum pastor bonus. Bonus pastor ánimam suam dat pro óvibus suis.
John 10:11
I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd giveth his life for his sheep.
About Today
On November 14 the 1962 calendar keeps the feast of St. Josaphat, Bishop and Martyr, a feast of the third class, with red vestments for a martyr.
His Life
Josaphat Kuntsevych was born around 1580 in Volhynia, in the lands of the old Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth. As a young man he worked as a merchant’s apprentice, but he gave his heart to prayer and entered a monastery in Vilnius, where he lived a strict life of fasting and devotion.
He became Archbishop of Polotsk and gave himself to the work of unity, helping Eastern Christians of his people remain in communion with the Successor of St. Peter. He visited his people, repaired churches, taught the faith, and cared for the poor, all with great patience.
Not everyone welcomed this work. In 1623, while visiting Vitebsk, he was attacked by an angry crowd and killed. He was the first saint of the Eastern Catholic Churches to be formally canonized, in 1867.
A Lesson for Today
Josaphat loved the flock entrusted to him more than his own life. We pray for the unity of all Christians, and we can begin by living gently and truthfully with those around us.
Collect
Latin
Excita, quǽsumus, Dómine, in Ecclésia tua Spíritum, quo replétus beátus Jósaphat Martyr et Póntifex tuus ánimam suam pro óvibus pósuit: ut, eo intercedénte, nos quoque eódem Spíritu moti ac roboráti, ánimam nostram pro frátribus pónere non vereámur. Per Dóminum nostrum Iesum Christum, Fílium tuum, qui tecum vivit et regnat in unitáte Spíritus Sancti, Deus, per ómnia sǽcula sæculórum. Amen.
English
Arouse in Thy Church, O Lord, the spirit with which blessed Josaphat, Thy Martyr and Bishop, was filled when he laid down his life for his flock; so that, by his intercession, we also, moved and strengthened by the same spirit, may not fear to lay down our lives for our brethren. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, Thy Son, who liveth and reigneth with Thee in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end. Amen.
Sancte Jósaphat, ora pro nobis.
St. Josaphat, pray for us.