Prayers of the faithful - 26 December 2023 - Octave of Christmas - feast of St Stephen, Martyr

Lord Jesus - You are the glory of Israel - Lord have mercy. 

Christ Jesus - You are the long awaited Messiah - Christ have mercy. 

Lord Jesus - You are the Prince of Peace - Lord have mercy. 

PRIEST: As we commemorate St Stephen and the martyrs of the faith today at Mass, let us bring our prayers to our God of love and mercy: 

1. For the members of our Christian family, that they may have joy and peace throughout the Christmas season. 

2. For our governmental leaders, that they lead the people with peace and justice. 

3. For those who suffer for their faith and those who are persecuted for their faith, that the Lord will give them strength and courage in their struggles.  

4. For those who live with illness and frailty, for their caregiver and family members, for healing in their lives. 

5. For the homeless, the poor, and the hungry, may they receive the help and assistance they need. 

6.  For our family members and loved ones who have died. For the faithful departed who entered eternal life in 2023.  Fo the souls in purgatory.  

7. For the prayers we hold in the silence of our hearts.  

PRIEST: O God, your care for us is constant. We ask that you hear the prayers we make in faith and trust through your son Jesus Christ, our Lord for ever and ever.  AMEN.  

26 December 2017 - Reflection on St Stephen, Martyr

      The day after Christmas, the birth of our Savior, we recognize the first martyr of the early Church, St Stephen.  Even though Stephen’s martyrdom is recorded in the Acts of the Apostles, we don’t really know much more about him other than what is recorded in that book of the Bible.  Stephen was a very important martyr in the early Church. Scripture scholars believe that he was probably a Jew who had lived outside of Israel and who was greatly influenced by the Greek culture.  We do not know the circumstances of how Stephen converted to the Way of Jesus or how he became a leader in the early Church, but the Acts of the Apostles states that he worked great wonders and signs among the people. Stephen died by being stoned by an angry mob.  Scripture, however, is not entirely clear as to whether the mob was acting outside the auspices of Jewish law or was following the results of Stephen’s trial by the Sanhedrin.  As we hear those in our modern world who are being persecuted for their faith, both in our country and in other parts of the world, as we see our own religious liberties here in the United States curtailed and limited, perhaps the story of Stephen has even more resonance and meaning.