Saint Josaphat Kuncevyc, Bishop and Martyr

Saint Josaphat Kuncevyc (also known as John Kunsevich; Josaphat of Polotsk; Jozofat Kuncewicz) was born in 1580 at Volodymyr, Lithuania as John Kuncevyc. His father was a municipal counselor and his mother was known for her piety. John was raised in the Orthodox Ruthenian Church. On November 23, 1595, in the Union of Brest, the Ruthenian Orthodox Church united with the Church of Rome. John trained as a merchant's apprentice at Vilna, was offered partnership in the business, and marriage to his partner's daughter. He felt a call to the religious life, and declined both.

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Priests Race to Save Manuscripts From Jihadists in Iraq

The following excerpts are from AINA.org:

As fighters from the Islamic State group rampage across northern Syria and Iraq, a group of priests are racing against time to save what's left of the region's Christian heritage. Dominican Order priests have already managed to get many precious artifacts and manuscripts safely to Erbil in Kurdistan.

Reports of massacres and beheadings of Christians and other minority groups have scared thousands into fleeing the jihadists' advance. In a region regarded as the cradle of civilization, it's no surprise that the rapid advance of the militant fighters has alarmed those looking to preserve the region's heritage.

The Dominican Order [also known as the Order of Preachers] - a Roman Catholic religious order founded 800 years ago - has deep roots among Christian communities in northern Iraq. For decades, Najeeb Michaeel - an Iraqi priest belonging to the Order - has worked to collect and preserve precious manuscripts. Now with the rise of the Islamic State group, his work has become all the more important.

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Priests Race to Save Manuscripts From Jihadists in Iraq

New Guest Post On "Saints of the Faith" Blog

I am very fortunate to be able to tell you that we have a very good guest on our "Saints of the Faith".

The post is "Blessed John Henry Newman, A Great Teacher and Catechist" by Father Juan R. Vélez. Be sure to give it a read and leave a comment if you'd like.

Father Juan R. Vélez, is the author of "Passion for Truth, The Life of John Henry Newman". Father Vélez is a priest of the Prelature of Opus Dei who resides in San Francisco. He holds a doctorate in dogmatic theology from the University of Navarre. His doctoral thesis was on John Henry Newman’s Eschatology.

His interest in the life and works of Cardinal Newman began with his doctoral studies under Prof. José Morales, author of John Henry Newman (1801-1890).

Fr. Vélez has a medical degree, also from the University of Navarre, and was previously board certified in internal medicine.

John Henry Newman on Christian Holiness

In this video, Father Juan R. Velez author of "Passion for Truth: The Life of John Henry Newman" tells us how "Cardinal Newman was not only a scholar and a theologian; he was a man of prayer who lived the Christian virtues. He taught that holiness, which is attained through grace and the practice of the virtues, is necessary for future blessedness in Heaven."

Biography of John Henry Newman

In this video Father Juan R. Velez author of "Passion for Truth: The Life of John Henry Newman" speaks about his biography of Blessed John Cardinal Henry Newman.

Passion for Truth The Life of John Henry Newman by Fr. Juan Velez