2nd Day In The Octave Of Christmas

St. Stephen, First Martyr

Stephen, one of the seven Deacons, chosen by the Apostles amongst the most pious and holy disciples, to help them, received from them mission to organize the meals where the poor were fed in common. St. Stephen was renowned for his virtues and worked such great wonders and signs among the people that the Jews from five different synagogues became alarmed and summoned him before the Sanhedrin. The Jews stoned this holy Deacon, who invoked our Lord, saying: "Lord Jesus, receive my spirit...Lord, lay not this sin to their charge." His name is inscribed in the Canon of the Mass. (The Roman Missal, 1962)