St. Stephen’s Day, or the Feast of St. Stephen is celebrated on 26 December in the Western Church and 27 December in the Eastern Church.
The first martyr in the history of the Catholic Church was a man named Stephen. Like many other Jews Stephen was a convert to the Catholic Church. He later became a deacon.
The Apostles, who were bishops, and the Priests, who assisted the Bishops, preached the truths of Our Lord and administered His sacraments. From the very beginning, however, the Catholic Church collected money and goods and distributed them to the poor. To do this was the duty of the first deacons.
We read about St. Stephen in the Acts of the Apostles.
While taking care of the needs of the poor, St. Stephen was also a great preacher. He told the people about Our Lord, about His Resurrection and about the Church Which Our Lord founded.
“And Stephen, full of grace and fortitude, did great wonders and signs among the people” (Acts 6:8).
Certain Jews hated St. Stephen. He was arrested and brought before the Jewish Council. Standing before the High Priest, Stephen spoke about the wonderful favors, which God had always bestowed upon the Jewish people. He also reproved them for persecuting Our Lord Jesus Christ, just as their ancestors had persecuted the prophets.
His enemies were cut to the heart by his speech. They rushed upon him, dragged him outside the city and stoned him. Thus, it was that St. Stephen became the first martyr. The word “martyr” means witness. It is used to describe those who have suffered death because they believed in the Faith.
As a deacon St. Stephen was devoted to charity. He was charitable to the end. The last words of St. Stephen were a prayer that God would forgive those who killed him.
“And falling on his knees, he cried with a loud voice, saying: Lord, lay not this sin to their charge” (Acts 7:59).
St. Stephen was the first among millions of Catholics who have died for the Faith or our Lord.
We must always live for Our Lord. We must also be ready, if necessary, to die for him.
—Great Moments in Catholic History, by Rev. Edward Curran. Grosset & Dunlap, New York, 1938, p. 9.