# Give Peace a Chance: Unity, Faith, and St. Josaphat
*2016-11-11*

> Bill Young reflects on the current protests, the legacy of John Lennon's "Give Peace a Chance," and the feast day of St. Josaphat, praying for peace, unity of the Church, and reconciliation in the United States and Ukraine.

## Protests and the Call for Peace

I begin by noting the demonstrations taking place across the country—in Miami, Portland, and elsewhere. Many participants are invoking John Lennon's 1969 song "Give Peace a Chance" as a rallying cry. While the political motivations of the protesters vary, I point out that even President‑elect Donald Trump has expressed a desire for peace, recalling his opposition to the Iraq war. The song reminds us that peace is a timeless hope, whether the demonstrators were born before 1969 or not.

## Historical Context: Vietnam and the Quest for Unity

I recall that in 1969 the United States was embroiled in the Vietnam War, a conflict that claimed over 50,000 American lives and was largely driven by political miscalculations. The anti‑war movement of that era used Lennon's song to demand an end to the fighting. Today, we see similar cries for peace, though the specific issues differ. My own political views are personal and do not represent the official teaching of the Catholic Church.

## St. Josaphat: A Martyr for Church Unity

Today is the feast day of St. Josaphat (November 12, 1623). Born around 1580, he devoted his life to bringing the faithful of the Eastern Catholic tradition into communion with the Pope in Rome. He was murdered by a mob for this very mission. His sacrifice reminds us that striving for unity—both within the Church and among peoples—has always been a difficult, even dangerous, endeavor.

## A Prayer to St. Josaphat

We pray to St. Josaphat for peace and unity:

"O glorious Saint Josaphat, heroic martyr for the unity of our Church with the Vicar of Christ, the Pope of Rome, we ask your intercession. Grant us a deep attachment to the Catholic faith and a sincere desire for the reunion of our separated Eastern brethren. May the Holy See and the Eastern Churches be brought together in love, especially in Ukraine, that all may worship as one people of God. Amen."

This prayer also includes petitions for the people of Ukraine, for reconciliation between East and West, and for the United States to heal its political divisions.

## Prayers for Leaders and the Nation

We conclude with prayers for our political leaders: former President Obama, President‑elect Donald Trump, Vice President‑elect Mike Pence, and all members of the incoming administration, including the Cabinet, Supreme Court, and other officials. May they be guided by a spirit of unity and a commitment to serve the common good of all peoples.

*Peace and unity begin with prayerful hearts seeking God’s guidance for all peoples and nations.*