Feast day celebration in the Eastern Churches on June 27, and in the Western Church on June 28
Every year, the Ukrainian Catholic Redemptorists, celebrate the Feast of Ukrainian Redemptorist Martyrs on June 27. It is the day that Pope John Paul II beatified on June 27, 2001, a group of martyrs of whom Bishop Vasyl was one of them. In Yorkton Province lies the incorrupt relics of Blessed Bishop and Martyr Vasyl Velychkovsky, C.Ss.R. enshrined at St. Joseph’s Church in Winnipeg, MB. Shortly before the Feast day, the Canadian Catholic Bishop’s Conference elevated the Shrine of Blessed Vasyl to the status of The National Shrine of Blessed Bishop and Martyr Vasyl Velychkovsky, C.Ss.R.
Blessed Vasyl remained faithful all his life and now he is a great intercessor for us all. His Shrine has become a fountain of blessings and graces. He brings our prayers to God and obtains blessings and graces for all those who ask through him.
May the witnesses of Blessed Vasyl help us to embrace “martyrdom” for the Christian faith in all the many forms it takes. May we too remain faithful to God all our life.
Life of Blessed Bishop and Martyr Vasyl Velychkovsky, C.Ss.R.
Prayer in Honor of the Redemptorist Ukrainian Martyrs
O Lord, our God, you call all to believe in you and to follow your way. We thank you for the grace you gave to Nicholas Charnetsky, Vasyl Velychkovsky, Zenon Kovalyk, and Ivan Ziatyk and to all their spiritual companions, such that they were able to pay the ultimate price of faithfulness to you in giving their lives.
We thank you for glorifying them in your heavenly kingdom, that they may be for all of us a shining example of your powerful presence in our lives. We pray that you give us the grace of faithfulness and generosity as we seek to respond to your love. Through their intercession, help us always to stand firm in the Truth and be faithful to you and your commandments.
O Holy Mother of God and our Mother of Perpetual Help, lead us to your Son, Jesus. Give us the courage to follow him always. We place ourselves under your protection.
For all the glory and honour belong to you, Almighty Father, Eternal Son, and Life-giving Spirit, now and forever and ever. Amen.
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