Saint Josaphat Kuncewicz was born around 1580 in Volodymyr, in present-day Ukraine, and became a monk of the Order of Saint Basil before being named Archbishop of Polotsk. He labored tirelessly for the unity of Eastern Christians with the Church of Rome, and in 1623 he was killed by a hostile mob in Vitebsk. Canonized in 1867, he is honored as a bishop and martyr for the unity of the Church.
Josaphat gave his life for the prayer of Jesus 'that they may all be one,' loving even those who opposed him and forgiving his attackers. His example teaches us to work for peace and reconciliation gently and patiently, even when it costs us dearly.
Saint Josaphat, martyr for the unity of Christ's Church, pray that our family may be one in love and one day be reunited with those we miss. Amen.