Saint Stephen

Feast Day December 26
Patron Saint of Readers and Lectors

Just as Stephen was martyred because the people did not understand the truth he was speaking, when we try to speak the truth about Catholicism to those we love our words are often rejected.  When that happens, let us speak to Jesus and Mary through our prayer instead, and ask them, and St Stephen, to help our loved ones discover the truth for themselves.

Who is St Stephen?

He was the first Christian martyr.  While preaching the Gospel,  men who believed his message to be blasphemy dragged him outside the city, and stoned him to death. In the crowd was a man who would later be known as Saint Paul the Apostle.

Commentary on St Stephen

Stephen died as Jesus did: falsely accused, brought to unjust condemnation because he spoke the truth fearlessly. He died with his eyes trustfully fixed on God, and with a prayer of forgiveness on his lips. A “happy” death is one that finds us in the same spirit, whether our dying is as quiet as Joseph’s or as violent as Stephen’s: dying with courage, total trust and forgiving love. 

~Leonard Foley, O.F.M, From Saint of the Day Lives, Lessons and Feast

St Stephen in Scripture

“But [Stephen], filled with the holy Spirit, looked up intently 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.' They threw him out of the city, and began to stone him....As they were stoning Stephen, he called out, ‘Lord Jesus, receive my spirit....Lord, do not hold this sin against them’”    ~Acts 7

St. Stephen’s Day Evening Prayer

Stephen, full of grace and power, was working great wonders and signs among the people. You crowned him with glory and honor, O Lord. Grant that we may imitate him whose memory we celebrate, so as to learn to love even our enemies; he who knew how to pray even for his persecutors to our Lord Jesus Christ Thy Son, who liveth and reigneth forever.Alleluia.