Saint Josaphat, Archbishop of Poloczk, Martyr. (1580-1623)
by VP
Posted on Friday November 14, 2025 at 05:00AM in Saints
Martyrdom of Saint Josaphat Kuntsevych by Józef Simmler (1823–1868)
"The life of St. Josaphat is a lesson for all time. The two truths which he was charged by our Divine Lord to proclaim, and which he was to seal with his blood: the supremacy of the Roman Pontiff and the unity of the Church, are denied in our own day by the same sectaries, and all who maintain them assailed by the same fiendish cruelty." The Dublin Review, Part 1 page 46. 1877
"Stir up, O Lord, we beseech thee, in thy Church the Spirit wherewith the blessed Josephat thy Martyr and Pontiff was filled." Thus prays our Mother, today, and the Gospel likewise points to the desire of obtaining pastors like to thee, O holy Bishop! The sacred text speaks of the false shepherd, who flees at first sight of the wolf; but the Homily, which explains it in the Night Office, brands equally with the title of hireling the keeper who, though he does not flee, suffers the enemy un-resisted to work havoc in the fold. May the divine Shepherd, whom thou didst imitate unto the end, even unto laying down thy life for the sheep, live again in all those whom he calls, like Peter, to exercise a greater love." The Liturgical Year: Passiontide and holy week, 3d edition. 1901 Abbot Prosper Gueranger OSB
"ST. JOSAPHAT was born in Volhynia, a province of Poland, of noble and
virtuous parents who brought him up in lively sentiments of piety.
During his childhood he was much affected at the thought of the
sufferings which Jesus Christ had endured for the love of men, and one
day when his mother was discoursing about our Lord's Passion, a dart
issuing from the side of Jesus, as represented in a neighboring
crucifix, transfixed his heart.
From that moment he felt himself powerfully inflamed with the fire of
Divine Love, and gave himself up with such fervor to prayer and works of
charity as to excite the wonder and admiration of all who beheld him. When he had reached the age of twenty, Josaphat received the religious
habit in a convent of Basilian monks, where he practiced the most severe
austerities and made rapid progress in virtue. His great reputation for
sanctity and learning caused him to be raised to the office of
Superior, and afterwards to the higher dignity of Archimandrite or
Abbot. Finally, in spite of his earnest opposition, he was elected and
consecrated Archbishop of Poloczk.
Invested with this new dignity, Josaphat continued the same humble and
penitential way of life which he had followed within the walls of his
monastery. Perfectly detached from earthly things, he devoted the whole
of the revenue of his See to works of charity and the service of the
Church. At the same time he gave himself up with unremitting assiduity
to the care of his flock, whom he earnestly strove to preserve from the
inroads of schism and heresy. Never was there to be found a more devoted
champion of the rights and privileges of the Holy See, which he
strenuously defended against the heretics both by his sermons and
writings. Almighty God blessed his efforts with great success, and he
was the means of bringing back innumerable souls to the unity of the
Faith. His success in this respect drew upon him the hatred of certain
fiery zealots, who conspired to effect his death; nor was their design
hidden from our Saint, who in a public sermon forewarned the people of
his approaching departure. Meanwhile he hastened to complete the
visitation of his flock, that death might find him faithfully employed
in the service of his Master and with his accounts made ready.
Having completed their preparation, the conspirators took occasion of
the Archbishop's visit to Vitepsk in the course of his ministration, to
carry their plot into execution. Rushing tumultuously to the
Archiepiscopal residence, they entered with drawn swords, striking and
slaying whomsoever they met. Josaphat immediately went forth to meet
them. "My children," said he, "why do you slay my friends? Behold if you
have anything against me, here I am." At these words, they rushed upon
him, loaded him with blows, pierced him with their daggers, and finally
struck off his head with an axe. His blessed body was cast into the
neighboring river, but being discovered by a miraculous light, was taken
out and interred with great solemnity and veneration. St. Josaphat
accomplished his glorious martyrdom on November 12, A.D. 1623, being
then in the forty-third year of his age." Short lives of the saints, for every day in the year, Volume 3 By Rev. Henry Gibson 1897
