November 12 2024 - St. Josaphat - Overcoming division

 

St. Josephat was born into family of orthodox Christians in the year 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 just a few years later, he was consecrated an archbishop.  

As archbishop sought to educate his flock and reform of his clergy, and offer his personal example of holiness. By doing so, Josephat won over the majority of the Orthodox to convert to Catholicism. Unfortunately, the vocal minority plotted to kill him. With furious cries of “Kill the Papist” he was killed and thrown into a river.

St. Josephat gave his life for the unity of the Church—the unity the Lord prayed for at the Last Supper, when he said, “Father, I pray that they might be one, as you and I are one”. Josaphat gave his life--he died trying to fulfill this prayer of Our Lord—trying to bring the Orthodox back into the fold—back into full communion with Rome.  

On the Feast of Saint Josaphat in 1923, Pope Pius XI declared Saint Josaphat the Patron Saint of Reunion between Orthodox and Catholics.  Pius XI also issued an encyclical letter called, “Ecclesiam Dei”.  He explained that no prerogative of the Church has been assailed more bitterly by the enemy as its unity. 

From the beginning, the devil has fueled our pride to create division. He has and continues to sew seeds of arrogance—leading us to believe that we know better than the Church. His errors lead to heresies and schisms and Catholics allowing themselves to fall away from the Church, and factionalism, all which are a sort of anti-evangelism. For Church division certainly doesn’t make Christianity look more attractive. 

Rather, we are called to the unity taught by Our Lord, and echoed by Paul in our reading today, to have “one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.”

As we know there are great divisions in our nation, there are many family members estranged from one another, there are many who have set themselves at odds with God through sin. Any division in family, community, nation, Church, or in the human heart can only truly be healed with God’s help.  

Saint Josaphat saw prayer, education, a devout clergy, and personal holiness as indispensable to healing the wounds of sin and division.  May the example and heavenly intercession of Saint Josaphat inspire us to work for unity in the Church and the healing of human hearts for the glory of God and salvation of souls.

- - - -  

For Pope Francis and all bishops, that they may be blessed with wisdom and courage as they lead efforts toward Christian unity, 

For families experiencing division and estrangement, that through God's grace they may find paths to reconciliation and healing.

For our own community, that we may be instruments of peace and unity, overcoming pride and prejudice through lives of authentic Christian witness.

For all those struggling with addiction, mental illness, chronic sickness, unemployment, or ongoing trials of any kind: that they will be fortified and blessed with the Father’s healing, light, and peace.  

We pray that in a special way during the Month of November for our beloved dead, for our deceased family members, friends, parishioners, and benefactors, for deceased priests and religious, servicemen and women, and for N., for whom this mass is offered, that they may be united with Christ in the heavenly kingdom.

Merciful Father, through the intercession of St. Josaphat, help us to heal the wounds of division in our Church, our families, and our world. Grant us the grace to be instruments of your peace and unity. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.