October 21st - Blessed James Strepar

Blessed James Strepar

Blessed John Strepar was called the "protector of the kingdom" by the people he governed. He had been born into the Polish nobility at Galicia (currently Poland and the Ukraine). He joined the Friars Minor and was guardian of the Lvov friary at a time when the city was under an interdict. During this time of turbulence in the local church, he vigorously defended mendicant friars from the attacks of secular clergy members. The reconciliation of the Orthodox dissidents was close to his heart, and for this purpose he utilized the Company of Christ's Itinerants, a society of Franciscan and Dominican missionaries. Blessed James was himself a missionary preacher, and while heading the Franciscan missionary efforts in western Russia, he successfully evangelized the diocese of Galich. When he was appointed archbishop of this see in 1392, he built churches, brought in Polish priests, and founded a number of religious houses, hospitals and schools. Though an archbishop and a senator, Blessed James always word his habit and could be seen making visitations on foot in his large diocese. After his death at Lvov, numerous miracles occurred at his tomb.