Today we pray to the Lord that the “Bread of Heaven grants us the spirit of strength and peace that sustained St. Josaphat, bishop and martyr, so that following his example, we dedicate our lives to fight for the honor and unity of the Church.” Born in Ukraine and son of parents of Orthodox religion, St. Josaphat (1580-1623) converted to Catholicism and entered the Order of St. Basil. In 1617 he was consecrated bishop. Shortly before, a group of Orthodox bishops had entered into communion with the Pope: Saint Jehoshaphat joined the cause without saving effort. Jesus, in his priestly prayer, prayed for the unity of his followers. It cost St. Josaphat’s life! (It is protomartyr of the re-unification of Christianity).

—Love attracts, love unites. Saint Josaphat “began to devote himself to the restoration of unity, with such force and, at the same time, with such softness and such fruit, that his own adversaries called him ‘thief of souls’” (Pius XI).