December 26
St Stephen
St Stephen, known as the first martyr (or protomartyr) of the Christian faith, holds a unique place in the Church’s calendar and memory. The Acts of the Apostles (chapters 6 and 7) recount his brief but powerful story: chosen as one of the first seven deacons to serve the needy in the fledgling Church, Stephen distinguished himself by his faith, wisdom, and courage. His eloquent defense of the Gospel before the religious leaders incited anger, and he was condemned to death by stoning. Stephen’s martyrdom, witnessed by Saul (later St Paul), became a profound testament to Christ-like forgiveness, as he prayed for his persecutors even as he died. Celebrated the day after Christmas, the feast of St Stephen highlights the cost of discipleship and the Church’s earliest witness. The red liturgical color recalls his shedding of blood for Christ. The placement of his feast immediately after the solemnity of the Nativity reminds the faithful that the joy of Christ’s coming is intimately bound to the cross; following the Incarnation, Christians are also called to bear witness, even at great personal cost. While historical details about Stephen’s life beyond Acts are sparse and sometimes embellished in later tradition, his unwavering faith and his willingness to forgive illustrate the heart of Christian martyrdom. Across the centuries, devotion to St Stephen has inspired acts of charity, courage, and forgiveness, particularly among those serving the poor and oppressed.
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Questions about St Stephen (Novus Ordo Missae)
The liturgical day
Mass readings
ReadingAc 6, 8-10; 7, 54-60
In those days,
Stephen, filled with the grace and power of God,
was working great wonders and signs
among the people.
Then some from the synagogue
called Freedmen
along with Cyrenians and Alexandrians,
as well as people from
Cilicia and the province of Asia, intervened.
They began to debate with Stephen,
but they could not withstand
the wisdom and the Spirit with which he spoke.
Those who listened to this speech
were infuriated
and gnashed their teeth at Stephen.
But he, filled with the Holy Spirit,
gazed into heaven;
he saw the glory of God,
and Jesus standing at the right hand of God.
He declared:
"Behold, I see the heavens opened
and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God."
Then they shouted out loudly
and covered their ears.
All together, they rushed at him,
dragged him out of the city,
and began to stone him.
The witnesses laid down their cloaks
at the feet of a young man named Saul.
While they were stoning him, Stephen prayed and said,
"Lord Jesus, receive my spirit."
Then, falling to his knees, he cried out in a loud voice:
"Lord, do not hold this sin against them."
And with these words, he fell asleep in death.
– The word of the Lord.
PsalmPs 30, 3bc.4b, 6.8a.9b, 17.20cd
Be the rock that shelters me,
the fortified house that saves me.
For the sake of your name,
you guide me and lead me.
Into your hands I commend my spirit;
you redeem me, Lord, God of truth.
Your love makes me dance for joy:
before me, you have opened a way.
Let your face shine upon your servant;
save me in your love.
You fill with blessings, in the sight of the world,
those who take refuge in you.
GospelMt 10, 17-22
At that time,
Jesus said to his disciples:
"Beware of men:
they will hand you over to courts
and flog you in their synagogues.
You will be brought before governors and kings
on my account:
there will be a testimony there for them and for the pagans.
When they hand you over,
do not be anxious
about how you are to speak or what you are to say:
what you are to say
will be given to you at that hour.
For it is not you who will speak,
but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you.
Brother will deliver brother to death,
and the father his child;
children will rise against their parents
and put them to death.
You will be hated by all because of my name;
but the one who endures to the end,
that person will be saved."
– Let us acclaim the Word of God.
Liturgical texts: © AELF — aelf.org