Every year, on the day after the Birth of the Lord, the liturgy invites us to celebrate the Feast of Saint Stephen, the first deacon and protomartyr of the Church. As described in the Acts of the Apostles, Stephen was a man "full of grace and of the Holy Spirit" (Acts 6:8-10; 7:55), chosen among seven reputable men to serve the growing Christian community by attending to the needs of widows and the poor (Acts 6:1-5). His life and death exemplify the profound connection between the joy of Christmas and the call to witness Christ, even unto martyrdom.
In his catechesis on Saint Stephen, Pope Benedict XVI emphasized how Stephen embodied Jesus' promise that believers in perilous situations would not be left defenseless, for "the Spirit of God will speak through them" (Mt 10:20). Stephen worked, spoke, and died under the Holy Spirit's guidance, offering his life as a supreme sacrifice in imitation of Christ. His suffering mirrored Christ's Passion in striking detail: in his final moments, on his knees, he echoed Jesus' prayer from the Cross, commending his spirit to the Lord (Acts 7:59) and forgiving his enemies with the words, "Lord, do not hold this sin against them" (Acts 7:60). Filled with the Holy Spirit, Stephen gazed upon "Jesus standing at the right hand of God" (Acts 7:55), the Lord who draws all to Himself. Benedict XVI urged that on this feast, we fix our eyes on the Incarnate Son, allowing the Holy Spirit—through Baptism, Confirmation, and the Eucharist—to continue Christ's salvific work in us, redeeming and elevating all things according to God's loving plan. Stephen models the new evangelization, showing that true proclamation stems not from innovative techniques but from being filled with the Holy Spirit and yielding to His guidance.
Echoing this, Pope Francis, in his Angelus address on the Feast of Saint Stephen, highlighted how Stephen's martyrdom conquered violence with love and death with life. Stephen, a deacon of charity and integrity, faced stoning but responded with forgiveness, planting seeds of conversion—even in Saul, who later became Paul. Francis reminded us that God forgives "always and everything," and that the blood of martyrs like Stephen bears fruit, fostering new Christians amid ongoing persecutions. He called for prayer for discriminated communities, noting that martyrdom's witness transforms hearts, as seen in Stephen's profound act of faith mirroring Christ's sacrifice.
Pope Saint John Paul II, in his Angelus on the same feast, connected Stephen's witness to the deeper meaning of the Incarnation. Loving the Lord and obeying His voice, Stephen chose Christ as "Life and Light" for all, embracing the truth amid iniquity. Falsely accused like Jesus, he died forgiving his persecutors, sharing in Christ's Paschal mystery of Cross and Resurrection. John Paul II taught that the Church, in proclaiming truth, follows this path, renewing commitment through Christmas to union with the Father via the way of the Cross.
The Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC) underscores martyrdom as the "supreme witness given to the truth of the faith," bearing testimony to Christ even unto death through charity and fortitude (CCC 2473). Martyrs like Stephen unite with Christ's death and resurrection, their records preserved as "archives of truth written in letters of blood" (CCC 2474). As a deacon, Stephen exemplifies the diaconate's role: configured to Christ the Servant, deacons assist in the Eucharist, proclaim the Gospel, preach, and dedicate themselves to charity (CCC 1570). Ordained "not unto the priesthood, but unto the ministry," they share specially in Christ's mission, attached to the bishop in service (CCC 1569). Stephen's life was animated by the Holy Spirit's sevenfold gifts—wisdom, understanding, counsel, fortitude, knowledge, piety, and fear of the Lord (CCC 1831)—enabling bold proclamation amid peril.
Other saints have reflected on Stephen's example. Saint Fulgentius of Ruspe (460-533) praised him profoundly: "Love was Stephen’s weapon by which he gained every battle and so won the crown signified by his name." Fulgentius noted how love raised Stephen from earth to heaven, mirroring Christ's descent; it kept him unyielding against the mob, inspired reproof for amendment, and led to prayer for his stoners' salvation. Stephen's intercession aids deacons and all faithful in service.
Saint Stephen's story, as recounted in Acts, began amid the early Church's growth. Greek-speaking Christians complained that their widows were neglected in distributions, prompting the Apostles to appoint seven men "filled with the Spirit and wisdom" for this task, freeing them for prayer and the word (Acts 6:1-4). They chose Stephen, "a man filled with faith and the Holy Spirit" (Acts 6:5). He performed great wonders, debated wisely against opponents from the Synagogue of Freedmen, but was falsely accused of blasphemy and brought before the Sanhedrin. In his defense, Stephen recounted Israel's history, accusing his persecutors of resisting the Holy Spirit like their ancestors (Acts 7:51). Enraged, they stoned him outside the city. Filled with the Holy Spirit, he beheld heaven open and the Son of Man at God's right hand (Acts 7:55-56), then prayed, "Lord Jesus, receive my spirit" and "Lord, do not hold this sin against them" (Acts 7:59-60).
How often do we chase "original methods and techniques" for evangelization without zeal for God's house? On this feast, let us pray to be filled with the Holy Spirit's gifts, boldly proclaiming the Gospel like Stephen. We also intercede for deacons—permanent or transitional—that they thrive in ordained service to the Church, and at life's end, gaze upon "Jesus standing at the right hand of God."
In Stephen's spirit, may we witness Christ's love, forgiving as he did, and trust that martyrdom's seeds yield eternal fruit.
List of Sources Used:
1. Pope Benedict XVI, Catechesis on Saint Stephen (as provided in the original article text).
2. Acts of the Apostles, Chapters 6-7 (Holy Bible).
3. Pope Francis, Angelus Address, 26 December 2023 - https://www.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/angelus/2023/documents/20231226-angelus.html
4. Pope Francis, Reflections on St. Stephen's Martyrdom - https://pontificalmissions.org/news/stories/story/2025/07/29/pope-francis-st-stephens-martyrdom-was-a-prfound-act-of-faith
5. Pope Francis, Angelus on St. Stephen's Day - https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2024-12/pope-st-stephens-day-angelus-do-i-think-of-those-persecuted.html
6. Pope John Paul II, Angelus, 26 December 1996 - https://www.vatican.va/content/john-paul-ii/en/angelus/1996/documents/hf_jp-ii_ang_19961226.html 7. Pope John Paul II, Angelus, 26 December 2003 - https://www.vatican.va/content/john-paul-ii/en/angelus/2003/documents/hf_jp-ii_ang_20031226.html 8. Catechism of the Catholic Church, Paragraphs 2473-2474 (on Martyrdom) - https://www.catholicculture.org/culture/library/catechism/cat_view.cfm?recnum=6320 9. Catechism of the Catholic Church, Paragraphs 1569-1570 (on Deacons) - https://www.catholic.com/encyclopedia/stephen-martyr-saint 10. Catechism of the Catholic Church, Paragraph 1831 (on Gifts of the Holy Spirit).
11. Saint Fulgentius of Ruspe, Quotes on Saint Stephen - https://anastpaul.com/2020/12/26/quote-s-of-the-day-26-december-love-was-stephens-weapon/ 12. Catholic Church Teaching on Deacons and Saint Stephen - https://deaconscott.com/the-role-of-the-deacon/