December 26
NOM and VOM in briefThe Novus Ordo Missae (NOM) is the form of the mass that came out of the Second Vatican Council, celebrated in most parishes. The Vetus Ordo Missae (VOM) is the earlier form, in Latin, following the 1960 rubrics. The two calendars differ: on some days they celebrate different feasts.Learn more →
Liturgical colour : Red
2nd classSt Stephen the First Martyr
Commemoration of the Second Day in the Octave of Christmas
St. Stephen, honored today as the protomartyr or the first martyr for Christ, holds a singular place in the life of the early Church. As recounted in the Acts of the Apostles, Stephen was one of the seven deacons appointed in Jerusalem to serve the community, especially the poor and widows. Renowned for his wisdom and filled with the Holy Spirit, he boldly preached the Gospel and engaged in disputation with members of various synagogues. His fearless witness and powerful words provoked opposition, leading to his arrest and trial before the Sanhedrin. There, Stephen testified to Christ as the fulfillment of the Law and Prophets, and his vision of the glorified Christ standing at the right hand of the Father incited the crowd to stone him. In his dying moments, he prayed for his executioners' forgiveness, echoing the mercy shown by Christ Himself.
The feast is solemnly celebrated immediately after the Nativity of the Lord, emphasizing the connection between Christ's coming and the cost of discipleship. The Church places this martyr’s celebration within the Octave of Christmas to show that birth into Christ inevitably leads to a baptism in blood for many of His followers, as a supreme act of charity. The rank of the feast reflects the profound significance of St. Stephen's witness: his example exhorts all Christians to steadfastness amid persecution, forgiving love toward enemies, and total fidelity to Christ. In honoring St. Stephen today, the Church venerates not just the protomartyr, but the dawn of countless similar acts of faith that have sanctified her history.
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Questions about St Stephen the First Martyr (Vetus Ordo Missae)
The liturgical day
NOM and VOM in briefThe Novus Ordo Missae (NOM) is the form of the mass that came out of the Second Vatican Council, celebrated in most parishes. The Vetus Ordo Missae (VOM) is the earlier form, in Latin, following the 1960 rubrics. The two calendars differ: on some days they celebrate different feasts.Learn more →
IntroitPs 118:1
Latin
Ps 118:23; 118:86; 118:23
Sedérunt príncipes, et advérsum me loquebántur: et iníqui persecúti sunt me: ádiuva me, Dómine, Deus meus, quia servus tuus exercebátur in tuis iustificatiónibus.
Ps 118:1
Beati immaculáti in via, qui ámbulant in lege Dómini,
℣. Glória Patri, et Fílio, et Spirítui Sancto.
℟. Sicut erat in princípio, et nunc, et semper, et in sǽcula sæculórum. Amen.
Sedérunt príncipes, et advérsum me loquebántur: et iníqui persecúti sunt me: ádiuva me, Dómine, Deus meus, quia servus tuus exercebátur in tuis iustificatiónibus.
English
Ps 118:23, 86, 23
Princes met and talked against me, and the wicked persecuted me wrongfully; help me, O Lord my God, for Your servant meditates on Your statutes.
Ps 118:1
Happy are they whose way is blameless, who walk in the law of the Lord.
℣. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost.
℟. As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.
Princes met and talked against me, and the wicked persecuted me wrongfully; help me, O Lord my God, for Your servant meditates on Your statutes.
Collect
Latin
Orémus.
Da nobis, quǽsumus, Dómine, imitári quod cólimus: ut discámus et inimícos dilígere; quia eius natalícia celebrámus, qui novit étiam pro persecutóribus exoráre Dóminum nostrum Iesum Christum Fílium tuum:
Qui tecum vivit et regnat in unitáte Spíritus Sancti Deus per ómnia sǽcula sæculórum.
℟. Amen.
Orémus.
Pro Octava Nativitatis.
Concéde, quǽsumus, omnípotens Deus: ut nos Unigéniti tui nova per carnem Natívitas líberet; quos sub peccáti iugo vetústa sérvitus tenet.
Per eúndem Dóminum nostrum Iesum Christum Fílium tuum, qui tecum vivit et regnat in unitáte Spíritus Sancti, Deus, per ómnia sǽcula sæculórum.
℟. Amen.
Da nobis, quǽsumus, Dómine, imitári quod cólimus: ut discámus et inimícos dilígere; quia eius natalícia celebrámus, qui novit étiam pro persecutóribus exoráre Dóminum nostrum Iesum Christum Fílium tuum:
Qui tecum vivit et regnat in unitáte Spíritus Sancti Deus per ómnia sǽcula sæculórum.
℟. Amen.
Orémus.
Pro Octava Nativitatis.
Concéde, quǽsumus, omnípotens Deus: ut nos Unigéniti tui nova per carnem Natívitas líberet; quos sub peccáti iugo vetústa sérvitus tenet.
Per eúndem Dóminum nostrum Iesum Christum Fílium tuum, qui tecum vivit et regnat in unitáte Spíritus Sancti, Deus, per ómnia sǽcula sæculórum.
℟. Amen.
English
Let us pray.
Grant us, we beseech thee, O Lord, so to imitate what we revere, that we may learn to love even our enemies; for we celebrate the heavenly birthday of him who knew how to pray for his very persecutors to our Lord Jesus Christ:
Who livest and reignest with thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end.
℟. Amen
Let us pray.
For the Octave of the Nativity.
Grant, we beseech You, almighty God, that the new birth, in the flesh, of Your only-begotten Son may deliver us whom the bondage of old keeps under the yoke of sin.
Through the same Jesus Christ, thy Son, Our Lord, Who liveth and reigneth with thee in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end.
℟. Amen.
Grant us, we beseech thee, O Lord, so to imitate what we revere, that we may learn to love even our enemies; for we celebrate the heavenly birthday of him who knew how to pray for his very persecutors to our Lord Jesus Christ:
Who livest and reignest with thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end.
℟. Amen
Let us pray.
For the Octave of the Nativity.
Grant, we beseech You, almighty God, that the new birth, in the flesh, of Your only-begotten Son may deliver us whom the bondage of old keeps under the yoke of sin.
Through the same Jesus Christ, thy Son, Our Lord, Who liveth and reigneth with thee in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end.
℟. Amen.
LessonAct 6:8-10
Latin
Léctio Actuum Apostolórum
Act 6:8-10; 7:54-59
In diebus illis: Stéphanus plenus grátia et fortitúdine, faciébat prodígia et signa magna in pópulo. Surrexérunt autem quidam de synagóga, quæ appellátur Libertinórum, et Cyrenénsium, et Alexandrinórum, et eórum, qui erant a Cilícia et Asia, disputántes cum Stéphano: et non póterant resístere sapiéntiæ et Spirítui, qui loquebátur. Audiéntes autem hæc, dissecabántur córdibus suis, et stridébant déntibus in eum. Cum autem esset Stéphanus plenus Spíritu Sancto, inténdens in cœlum, vidit glóriam Dei, et Iesum stantem a dextris Dei. Et ait: Ecce, vídeo cœlos apértos, et Fílium hóminis stantem a dextris Dei. Exclamántes autem voce magna continuérunt aures suas, et ímpetum fecerunt unanímiter in eum. Et eiiciéntes eum extra civitatem, lapidábant: et testes deposuérunt vestiménta sua secus pedes adolescéntis, qui vocabátur Saulus. Et lapidábant Stéphanum invocántem et dicéntem: Dómine Iesu, súscipe spíritum meum. Pósitis autem génibus, clamávit voce magna, dicens: Dómine, ne státuas illis hoc peccátum. Et cum hoc dixísset, obdormívit in Dómino.
℟. Deo grátias.
English
Lesson from the Acts of Apostles
Acts 6:8-10; 7:54-59
In those days, Stephen, full of grace and power, was working great wonders and signs among the people. But there arose some from the synagogue which is called that of the Freedmen, and of the Cyrenians and of the Alexandrians and of those from Cilicia and the province of Asia, disputing with Stephen. And they were not able to withstand the wisdom and the Spirit Who spoke. Now as they heard these things, they were cut to the heart and gnashed their teeth at him. But he, being full of the Holy Spirit, looked up to heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God; and he said, Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God. But they cried out with a loud voice and stopped their ears and rushed upon him all together. And they cast him out of the city and stoned him. And the witnesses laid down their garments at the feet of a young man named Saul. And while they were stoning Stephen he prayed and said, Lord Jesus, receive my spirit. And falling on his knees, he cried out with a loud voice, saying, Lord, do not lay this sin against them. And with these words he fell asleep.
℟. Thanks be to God.
GradualPs 6:5
Latin
Ps 118:23; 118:86
Sedérunt príncipes, et advérsum me loquebántur: et iníqui persecúti sunt me.
Ps 6:5
Adiuva me, Dómine, Deus meus: salvum me fac propter misericórdiam tuam.
Allelúia, allelúia.
Act 7:56
℣. Vídeo cœlos apértos, et Iesum stantem a dextris virtútis Dei. Allelúia.
English
Ps 118:23, 86
Princes met and talked against me, and the wicked persecuted me wrongfully.
Ps 6:5
℣. Help me, O Lord my God: rescue me because of Your kindness. Alleluia, alleluia.
Acts 7:56
I see the heavens opened, and Jesus standing on the right hand of the power of God. Alleluia.
GospelMatt 23:34-39
Latin
Sequéntia + sancti Evangélii secundum Matthǽum
℟. Glória tibi, Dómine.
Matt 23:34-39
In illo témpore: Dicébat Iesus scribis et pharisǽis: Ecce, ego mitto ad vos prophétas, et sapiéntes, et scribas, et ex illis occidétis et crucifigétis, et ex eis flagellábitis in synagógis vestris, et persequémini de civitáte in civitátem: ut véniat super vos omnis sanguis iustus, qui effúsus est super terram, a sánguine Abel iusti usque ad sánguinem Zacharíæ, filii Barachíæ, quem occidístis inter templum et altáre. Amen, dico vobis, vénient hæc ómnia super generatiónem istam. Ierúsalem, Ierúsalem, quæ occídis prophétas, et lápidas eos, qui ad te missi sunt, quóies vólui congregáre fílios tuos, quemádmodum gallína cóngregat pullos suos sub alas, et noluísti? Ecce, relinquétur vobis domus vestra desérta. Dico enim vobis, non me vidébitis ámodo, donec dicátis: Benedíctus, qui venit in nómine Dómini.
℟. Glória tibi, Dómine.
Matt 23:34-39
In illo témpore: Dicébat Iesus scribis et pharisǽis: Ecce, ego mitto ad vos prophétas, et sapiéntes, et scribas, et ex illis occidétis et crucifigétis, et ex eis flagellábitis in synagógis vestris, et persequémini de civitáte in civitátem: ut véniat super vos omnis sanguis iustus, qui effúsus est super terram, a sánguine Abel iusti usque ad sánguinem Zacharíæ, filii Barachíæ, quem occidístis inter templum et altáre. Amen, dico vobis, vénient hæc ómnia super generatiónem istam. Ierúsalem, Ierúsalem, quæ occídis prophétas, et lápidas eos, qui ad te missi sunt, quóies vólui congregáre fílios tuos, quemádmodum gallína cóngregat pullos suos sub alas, et noluísti? Ecce, relinquétur vobis domus vestra desérta. Dico enim vobis, non me vidébitis ámodo, donec dicátis: Benedíctus, qui venit in nómine Dómini.
English
Continuation ✠ of the Holy Gospel according to Matthew
℟. Glory be to Thee, O Lord.
Matt 23:34-39
At that time, Jesus said to the Scribes and Pharisees, Therefore, behold, I send you prophets, and wise men, and scribes; and some of them you will put to death and crucify, and some you will scourge in your synagogues, and persecute from town to town; that upon you may come all the just blood that has been shed on the earth, from the blood of Abel the just unto the blood of Zacharias the son of Barachias, whom you killed between the temple and the altar. Amen I say to you, all these things will come upon this generation. Jerusalem, Jerusalem! you who kill the prophets, and stone those who are sent to you! How often would I have gathered your children together, as a hen gathers her young under her wings, but you would not! Behold, your house is left to you desolate. For I say to you, you shall not see Me henceforth until you shall say, Blessed is He Who comes in the name of the Lord!
℟. Glory be to Thee, O Lord.
Matt 23:34-39
At that time, Jesus said to the Scribes and Pharisees, Therefore, behold, I send you prophets, and wise men, and scribes; and some of them you will put to death and crucify, and some you will scourge in your synagogues, and persecute from town to town; that upon you may come all the just blood that has been shed on the earth, from the blood of Abel the just unto the blood of Zacharias the son of Barachias, whom you killed between the temple and the altar. Amen I say to you, all these things will come upon this generation. Jerusalem, Jerusalem! you who kill the prophets, and stone those who are sent to you! How often would I have gathered your children together, as a hen gathers her young under her wings, but you would not! Behold, your house is left to you desolate. For I say to you, you shall not see Me henceforth until you shall say, Blessed is He Who comes in the name of the Lord!
OffertoryAct 6:5
Latin
Orémus.
Act 6:5; 7:59
Elegérunt Apóstoli Stéphanum Levítam, plenum fide et Spíritu Sancto: quem lapidavérunt Iudæi orántem, et dicéntem: Dómine Iesu, áccipe spíritum meum, allelúia.
Act 6:5; 7:59
Elegérunt Apóstoli Stéphanum Levítam, plenum fide et Spíritu Sancto: quem lapidavérunt Iudæi orántem, et dicéntem: Dómine Iesu, áccipe spíritum meum, allelúia.
English
Let us pray.
Acts 6:5; 7:59
The Apostles chose Stephen to be a levite, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit: whom the Jews stoned, praying and saying, Lord Jesus, receive my spirit. Alleluia.
Acts 6:5; 7:59
The Apostles chose Stephen to be a levite, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit: whom the Jews stoned, praying and saying, Lord Jesus, receive my spirit. Alleluia.
Secret
Latin
Súscipe, Dómine, múnera pro tuórum commemoratióne Sanctórum: ut, sicut illos pássio gloriósos effécit; ita nos devótio reddat innócuos.
Per Dóminum nostrum Iesum Christum, Fílium tuum: qui tecum vivit et regnat in unitáte Spíritus Sancti Deus, per ómnia sǽcula sæculórum.
℟. Amen.
Pro Octava Nativitatis.
Obláta, Dómine, múnera, nova Unigéniti tui Nativitáte sanctífica: nosque a peccatórum nostrórum máculis emúnda.
Per eúndem Dóminum nostrum Iesum Christum Fílium tuum, qui tecum vivit et regnat in unitáte Spíritus Sancti, Deus, per ómnia sǽcula sæculórum.
℟. Amen.
Per Dóminum nostrum Iesum Christum, Fílium tuum: qui tecum vivit et regnat in unitáte Spíritus Sancti Deus, per ómnia sǽcula sæculórum.
℟. Amen.
Pro Octava Nativitatis.
Obláta, Dómine, múnera, nova Unigéniti tui Nativitáte sanctífica: nosque a peccatórum nostrórum máculis emúnda.
Per eúndem Dóminum nostrum Iesum Christum Fílium tuum, qui tecum vivit et regnat in unitáte Spíritus Sancti, Deus, per ómnia sǽcula sæculórum.
℟. Amen.
English
Receive our offerings, O Lord, in memory of Your saints, that, as their passion has given them eternal glory, so may this sacrificial act free us from guilt. Through our Lord.
Through Jesus Christ, thy Son our Lord, Who liveth and reigneth with thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end.
℟. Amen.
For the Octave of the Nativity.
Make holy the sacrificial gifts we offer, O Lord, and by the new birth of Your only-begotten Son cleanse us from the stains of our sins.
Through the same Jesus Christ, thy Son, Our Lord, Who liveth and reigneth with thee in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end.
℟. Amen.
Through Jesus Christ, thy Son our Lord, Who liveth and reigneth with thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end.
℟. Amen.
For the Octave of the Nativity.
Make holy the sacrificial gifts we offer, O Lord, and by the new birth of Your only-begotten Son cleanse us from the stains of our sins.
Through the same Jesus Christ, thy Son, Our Lord, Who liveth and reigneth with thee in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end.
℟. Amen.
CommunionAct 7:55
Latin
Act 7:55; 7:58-59
Vídeo cœlos apértos, et Iesum stantem a dextris virtútis Dei: Dómine Iesu, accipe spíritum meum, et ne státuas illis hoc peccátum.
English
Acts 7:56, 59-60
I see the heavens opened, and Jesus standing on the right hand of the power of God: Lord Jesus receive my spirit, and do not lay this sin against them.
Post Communion
Latin
Orémus.
Auxiliéntur nobis, Dómine, sumpta mystéria: et, intercedénte beáto Stéphano Mártyre tuo, sempitérna protectióne confírment.
Per Dóminum nostrum Iesum Christum, Fílium tuum: qui tecum vivit et regnat in unitáte Spíritus Sancti Deus, per ómnia sǽcula sæculórum.
℟. Amen.
Orémus.
Pro Octava Nativitatis.
Præsta, quǽsumus, omnípotens Deus: ut natus hódie Salvátor mundi, sicut divínæ nobis generatiónis est auctor; ita et immortalitátis sit ipse largítor:
Qui tecum vivit et regnat in unitáte Spíritus Sancti Deus per ómnia sǽcula sæculórum.
℟. Amen.
Auxiliéntur nobis, Dómine, sumpta mystéria: et, intercedénte beáto Stéphano Mártyre tuo, sempitérna protectióne confírment.
Per Dóminum nostrum Iesum Christum, Fílium tuum: qui tecum vivit et regnat in unitáte Spíritus Sancti Deus, per ómnia sǽcula sæculórum.
℟. Amen.
Orémus.
Pro Octava Nativitatis.
Præsta, quǽsumus, omnípotens Deus: ut natus hódie Salvátor mundi, sicut divínæ nobis generatiónis est auctor; ita et immortalitátis sit ipse largítor:
Qui tecum vivit et regnat in unitáte Spíritus Sancti Deus per ómnia sǽcula sæculórum.
℟. Amen.
English
Let us pray.
May the sacrament we have received aid us, O Lord; and by the intercession of blessed Stephen, Your Martyr, may it sustain us under Your everlasting protection.
Through Jesus Christ, thy Son our Lord, Who liveth and reigneth with thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end.
℟. Amen.
Let us pray.
For the Octave of the Nativity.
Grant, we beseech You, almighty God, that the Saviour of the world, born this day, Who is the author of our birth in godliness, may bestow on us immortal life.
Who livest and reignest with thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end.
℟. Amen
May the sacrament we have received aid us, O Lord; and by the intercession of blessed Stephen, Your Martyr, may it sustain us under Your everlasting protection.
Through Jesus Christ, thy Son our Lord, Who liveth and reigneth with thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end.
℟. Amen.
Let us pray.
For the Octave of the Nativity.
Grant, we beseech You, almighty God, that the Saviour of the world, born this day, Who is the author of our birth in godliness, may bestow on us immortal life.
Who livest and reignest with thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end.
℟. Amen
Vetus Ordo texts: Divinum Officium