Calendar of Saints - 12 November

12 November	• yesterday • tomorrow
Memorial of Saint Josaphat, Bishop and Martyr

Saint Josaphat Kuncevyc

Also known as

• Jehoshaphat Kuncewycz
• John Kunsevich
• Josaphat Kuntsevych
• Josaphat of Polotsk
• Jozofat Kuncewicz

Profile

His father was a municipal counselor, and his mother known for her piety. Raised in the Orthodox Ruthenian Church which, on 23 November 1595 in the Union of Brest, united with the Church of Rome. Trained as a merchant's apprentice at Vilna, Lithuania, he was offered partnership in the business, and marriage to his partner's daughter; feeling the call to religious life, he declined both. Monk in the Ukrainian Order of Saint Basil (Basilians) in Vilna at age 20 in 1604, taking the name Brother Josaphat. Deacon. Ordained a Byzantine rite priest in 1609.

Josaphat's superior, Samuel, never accepted unity with Rome, and looked for a way to fight against Roman Catholicism and the Uniats, the name given those who brought about and accepted the union of the Churches. Learning of Samuel's work, and fearing the physical and spiritual damage it could cause, Josaphat brought it to the attention of his superiors. The archbishop of Kiev, Ukraine, removed Samuel from his post, replacing him with Josaphat.

He became a famous preacher. Worked to bring unity among the faithful, and bring strayed Christians back to the Church. Bishop of Vitebsk, Belarus. Most religious, fearing interference with the natively developed liturgy and customs, did not want union with Rome. Bishop Josaphat believed unity to be in the best interests of the Church, and by teaching, clerical reform, and personal example Josaphat won the greater part of the Orthodox in Lithuania to the union. Never completely suitable to either side, Roman authorities sometimes raised objection to Josaphat's Orthodox actions. Consecrated as Archbishop of Polotsk, Lithuania in 1617.

While Josaphat attended the Diet of Warsaw in 1620, a dissident group, supported by Cossacks, set up an anti-Uniat bishops for each Uniat one, spread the accusation that Josaphat had "gone Latin," and that his followers would be forced to do the same, and placed a usurper on the archbishop's chair. Despite warnings, John went to Vitebsk, a hotbed of trouble, to try to correct the misunderstandings, and settle disturbances. The army remained loyal to the king, who remained loyal to the Union, and so the army tried to protect Josaphat and his clergy.

Late in 1623 an anti-Uniat priest named Elias shouted insults at Josaphat from his own courtyard, and tried to force his way into the residence. When he was removed, a mob assembled and forced his release. Mob mentality took over, and they invaded the residence. Josaphat tried to insure the safety of his servants before fleeing himself, but did not get out in time, and was martyred by the mob. His death was a shock to both sides of the dispute, brought some sanity and a cooling off period to both sides of the conflict.

Born

1580 at Volodymyr, Lithuania (modern Ukraine) as John Kunsevyc

Died

• struck in the head with a halberd, shot and beaten with staves on 12 November 1623 at Vitebsk, Belarus
• body thrown into the Dvina River but later recovered
• buried at Biala, Poland
• body found incorrupt five years after death

Beatified

16 May 1643 by Pope Urban VIII

Canonized

• 29 June 1867 by Pope Blessed Pius IX
• first Eastern saint canonized by Rome

Patronage

• Edmonton, Alberta, eparchy of
• Toronto, Ontario, eparchy of
• Ukraine

Representation

• chalice
• crown
• winged deacon

Video

YouTube PlayList

Readings

You people of Vitebsk want to put me to death. You make ambushes for me everywhere, in the streets, on the bridges, on the highways, and in the marketplace. I am here among you as a shepherd, and you ought to know that I would be happy to give my life for you. I am ready to die for the holy union, for the supremacy of Saint Peter, and of his successor the Supreme Pontiff. - Saint Josaphat

https://catholicsaints.info/saint-josaphat-kuncevyc/

Saint Lebuin of Deventer

Also known as

• Apostle of the Frisians
• Leafwine, Lebuinus, Lebwin, Liafwin, Liafwine, Livinius, Livino

Profile

Educated in a monastery. Benedictine monk at Ripon, England. Priest. Missionary to the Netherlands, following in the path of Saint Boniface, beginning in Utrecht. He worked with Saint Marchelm and Saint Gregory of Utrecht. Preached in the districts along the Yssel River. Established the first church in Deventer, Netherlands and used it as a base for missionary work to the Saxons and Frisians.

His success caused great hostility among the non-converted pagans who burned his church and spread the rumour that his success was due to witchcraft. Lebuin took his message to the Saxon national assembly, preaching the Gospel during a sacrifice to one of the pagan gods, and prophesying the destruction of their nation if they did not convert. Many of the representatives wanted to kill him, but one spoke up to say that the assembly should treat him as an ambassador from God, and give him the same diplomatic protection. The Saxons agreed, and agreed to respect the rights of Christianity.

Born

in England

Died

• c.773 at Deventer, Netherlands
• relics at Deventer

Patronage

• Deventer, Netherlands
• Zoeterwoude, Netherlands

Representation

with Saint Marchelm

https://catholicsaints.info/saint-lebuin-of-deventer/

Saint Astricus of Esztergom

Also known as

• Astricus of Ungarn
• Anastasius XIX
• Astericus Anastasius
• Astrik of Pannonhalma
• Ascrick, Astericus, Astrik-Anastaz, Radla

Profile

Monk in Rome, Italy, taking the name Astricus. Friend of Saint Adalbert of Prague, and assisted Adalbert on his missionary work in Bohemia. First abbot of Brevnov. Due to anti-Christian persecution in the region, he had to flee to Hungary. Worked as a missionary to the Magyars. Spiritual teacher to the wife of Duke Geza, the mother of Saint Stephen of Hungary, in 997. First abbot of Saint Martin's monastery in Pannonhalma, the first monastery in Hungary, a house founded by Duke Geza. When Saint Stephen succeeded his father Geza as duke, Anastasius renewed his evangelization work with the Magyars. First archbishop of the Hungarian Church with his see city probably at Kalocsa. He was sent as ambassador to Rome, and negotiated the recognition of the new kingdom of Hungary by Pope Sylvester II. He transported the crown that the pope gave for Stephen to be crowned as King of the Hungarians by Emperor Otto III in 1001. Advisor to Stephen on matters of spirit and state until Stephen's death. He outlived Stephen by two years, and spent those last days as a prayerful monk.

Born

in Bohemia as Radla

Died

c.1035 of natural causes

Patronage

Hungary

https://catholicsaints.info/saint-astricus/

Saint Didacus

Also known as

Diego, Diaz

Profile

Didacus loved and felt drawn to the solitary life from his youth, and when still young he became a hermit who supported himself by weaving mats. Franciscan lay-brother at the convent of Arizafa. Though he lacked a formal education, he was sought out for his insights into the Christian life.

Sent as a missionary to the Canary Islands in 1442, he went with the belief that he would be martyred. Superior of the community at Fuerteventura, Spain. Converted many by his preaching and example, and returned unharmed to Spain in 1449.

Sent to Rome, Italy in 1450 for the canonization of Saint Bernardine of Siena. An epidemic broke out among the gathered Franciscans, and Didacus worked himself to exhaustion to help his brothers; reported to have miraculously cured many of the sick. He then returned to Spain and spent the rest of his life as a prayerful at Alcala.

Born

1400 at Seville, Spain

Died

12 November 1463 at Alcala, Castile, Spain of natural causes

Canonized

1588 by Pope Sixtus V

Patronage

• Franciscan laity
• Franciscan lay brothers
• San Diego, California, diocese of

Representation

cross, lily

Video

YouTube PlayList

https://catholicsaints.info/saint-didacus/

Saint Nilus the Elder

Also known as

• Nilus of Sinai
• Nilus of Ancyra
• Neilos...

Profile

Byzantine imperial official; may even have been a Praetorian Prefect. Married and father of two. When the children were grown, Nilus and the wife agreed to lead separate lives devoted to God. Monk on Mount Sinai with his son Theodulus.

After a few years on the Mount, Arab raiders kidnapped Theodulus. Nilus went in search of him and found him in Eleusa in Palestine where the bishop had ransomed him out of slavery and made him the door-keeper of his church. The bishop ordained them both, and the returned to Sinai.

Noted author on theological matters, his works influenced the Eastern Church. Bishop of Ancyra. Friend, supporter and spiritual student of Saint John Chrystostom.

Born

4th century Byzantium

Died

c.430 of natural causes

Video

YouTube PlayList

https://catholicsaints.info/saint-nilus-the-elder/

Five Polish Brothers

Also known as

Saint Benedict and Companions

Profile

They weren't Polish, and they weren't related, but were instead five Italian Benedictine monks who worked with Saint Adalbert of Prague as missionaries to the Slavs, and were martyred together. They were - Benedict, Christinus, Isaac, John and Matthew.

Born

Italy

Died

1005 at the Benedictine monastery near Gnesen, Poland

Canonized

by Pope Julius II

https://catholicsaints.info/five-polish-brothers/

Saint Cunibert of Cologne

Also known as

• Cunibert of Keulen
• Cunibert of Köln
• Cunibert of Trèves
• Cunibert of Trier
• Cunipert, Honoberht, Kunibert

Profile

Born to the Frankish nobility. Archdeacon of Trier, Germany. Archbishop of Cologne, Germany in 627. Spiritual teacher and advisor to Saint Sigebert III, and co-regent of Austrasia. Known as a great builder of churches and monasteries in his diocese. Legend says that a dove led him to the lost grave of Saint Ursula.

Died

• c.663 in Cologne, Germany of natural causes
• interred in the Saint Cunibert Church in Cologne

Representation

bishop with a bird (usually a dove or pigeon), often speaking in his ear or leading him somewhere

https://catholicsaints.info/saint-cunibert-of-cologne/

Saint Livinus

Also known as

• Apostle of Flanders
• Lebwin

Profile

Son of a Scottish nobleman and an Irish princess, he was raised in Ireland, and studied there and in England. Ordained by Saint Augustine of Canterbury. Highly successful missionary to Flanders, Belgium with three companions. Bishop of Ghent, Belgium. Tortured by pagans, his tongue was torn out to stop his preaching; legend says tongue continued to preach on its own. Martyr.

Born

in the British Isles

Died

• martyred 12 November 633 near Alost, Brabant, Belgium
• relics translated to Ghent, Belgium

Patronage

Flanders, Belgium

Representation

• bishop holding his tongue with a pair of tongs
• bishop with his tongue being torn out

https://catholicsaints.info/saint-livinus/

Saint Emilian Cucullatus

Also known as

• Millan de la Cogolla
• Emilian the Cowled
• Aemilian

Profile

Born to a poor farm family. Worked as a shepherd in La Rioja, Spain. Hermit. Priest. Parish priest in Berceo, Spain for some time, but eventually returned to his life as a hermit. His reputation for holiness spread, a large number of would-be spritual students gathered around him, and he agreed to lead them. With them he founded the monastery of La Cogolla, and served as its first abbot.

Died

574

Representation

• shepherd
• abbot on horse back
• abbot with a sword
• abbot combating Moors

https://catholicsaints.info/saint-emilian-cucullatus/

Blessed Ursula Medes Ferris

Also known as

Sister María Natividad

Profile

Cistercian nun in the Congregation of Saint Bernard of Spain. Martyred in the Spanish Civil War.

Born

18 December 1880 in Algemesí, Valencia, Spain

Died

12 November 1936 in Alcudia de Carlet, Valencia, Spain

Beatified

• 3 October 2015 by Pope Francis
• beatification recognition celebrated at the cathedral of Santander, Spain, Cardinal Angelo Amato principal celebrant

https://catholicsaints.info/blessed-ursula-medes-ferris/

Saint Arsatius

Also known as

Arsacius

Profile

May have been a spiritual student of Saint Ambrose of Milan; may have been a bishop of Milan, Italy; may have served in the 4th or 6th century; may have been a martyr. Nothing sure about his life has survived.

Died

• relics known to have been in Rome, Italy in the early 8th century
• relics transferred to the Ilmmünster Abbey in 766
• relics transferred to Munich, Germany in 1495
• relics transferred to the Ilmmünster Abbey in 1846

https://catholicsaints.info/saint-arsatius/

Blessed John Cini della Pace

Also known as

• John the Soldier
• John Stipendario
• John della Pace
• John de Porta pacis
• John Cini

Profile

Soldier. Franciscan tertiary in 1396. Founded several charitable organizations and a confraternity of flagellants.

Born

at Pisa, Italy

Died

1433 of natural causes

Beatified

1856 by Pope Pius IX (cultus confirmed)

https://catholicsaints.info/blessed-john-cini-della-pace/

Saint Margarito Flores-García

Additional Memorial

21 May as one of the Martyrs of the Mexican Revolution

Profile

Priest of the diocese of Chilpancingo, Mexico. Martyr.

Born

22 February 1899 in Taxco, Guerrero, Mexico

Died

12 November 1927 in Tulimán, Guerrero, Mexico

Canonized

21 May 2000 by Pope John Paul II

https://catholicsaints.info/saint-margarito-flores-garcia/

Blessed José Medes Ferrís

Profile

Married layman in the archdiocese of Valencia, Spain. Member of Catholic Action. Martyred in the Spanish Civil War.

Born

13 January 1885 in Algemesí, Valencia, Spain

Died

12 November 1936 in Alcudia de Carlet, Valencia, Spain

Beatified

11 March 2001 by Pope John Paul II

https://catholicsaints.info/blessed-jose-medes-ferris/

Saint Machar of Aberdeen

Also known as

• Apostle to the Picts
• Macarius, Macharius, Mochumna

Profile

Baptized by Saint Colman. Spiritual student of Saint Columba at Iona Abbey. Bishop of Aberdeen, Scotland. Missionary to the Picts with twelve companions.

Born

Irish

Died

c.540 on the island of Maleo, Scotland of natural causes

https://catholicsaints.info/saint-machar-of-aberdeen/

Saint Cummian Fada

Also known as

Cumméne Fota

Profile

Columban monk in Clonfert, Ireland. Founded a monastery at the area which became known as Kilcummin in his honour, and served as its abbot. Supported the Roman system of determining the date of Easter, a matter of great dispute at the time.