Homily: November 12 - St. Josephat, martyr - Working for Christian Unity

St. Josephat spent his life laboring for the unity of the Church and was a martyr for Church unity because he died trying to bring part of the Orthodox Church into union with Rome. 

He was born into an orthodox family in 1580, but as an adult he joined one of the eastern churches that had recently returned to full communion with the Roman Catholic Church.  He became a monk of the Order of St. Basil and was just a few years later consecrated an archbishop.  As Archbishop his challenges were many.

Through education, reform of the clergy and personal example, Josephat succeeded in winning over the majority of the Orthodox in his diocese to full communion with Rome.  But those who opposed Church unity and communion with Rome plotted his death, and he was martyred in 1623. With furious cries of “Kill the Papist!”, He was struck on the head and shot and thrown into the river— killed by a mob who opposed his efforts. 

The Cathedral for the Ukranian Catholics in Parma is named after Saint Josaphat. 

The prayers for his feast emphasize the great sacrifice Josephat made for Christian unity.  In the Opening Prayer we prayed, “God, Stir up in your Church, we pray, O Lord, the Spirit that filled Saint Hosaphat as he laid down his life for the sheep.   In the Church there is a wonderful diversity, many people with a rich cultural traditions and liturgical heritages which enrich the Church, and many different gifts for the building up the Church. 

However, our cultural and political differences must not become sources of division.  In our diversity we are called to profess one faith, one Lord, one Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church founded by Christ.

We know too well how painful divisions in family, community, nation, and Church can be.  Family members who don’t talk to each other, politicians, whose inability to work together hinders the common good.  

On the night before his death, Jesus prayed, that we may be one, so that the world might believe.  Our unity as a Church is meant to show the world that Jesus really was sent by the Father to save us from our sins.

St. Josephat worked for that unity, and we too are called to work for Christian unity, that the wounds of sin and division might be healed by God.

May the example of Saint Josaphat inspire us to spend our lives working for the honor and unity of the Church and the healing of human hearts for the glory of God and salvation of souls.