About St. Stephen
St. Stephen is honored as the first Christian martyr (Protomartyr) and one of the Church’s first seven deacons, chosen by the Apostles to care for the poor and assist in the growing Christian community (Acts 6). Filled with the Holy Spirit, he preached boldly that Jesus Christ is the promised Messiah. His powerful witness angered many religious leaders, who falsely accused him of blasphemy.
As he stood before the Sanhedrin, Stephen proclaimed God’s plan of salvation through Christ with remarkable courage. He was taken outside the city and stoned to death around A.D. 34–35, becoming the first to give his life for the Gospel. Before dying, he imitated Jesus by praying, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.” One of those present was Saul, who later became St. Paul after his conversion.
St. Stephen is the patron saint of deacons, stonemasons, bricklayers, and those suffering persecution. His life reminds Christians to remain faithful to Christ with courage, forgiveness, and unwavering trust in God.
Feast Day: December 26
Who was St. Stephen?
St. Stephen was one of the first seven deacons chosen by the Apostles and is recognized as the first Christian martyr. He preached Christ with courage and gave his life for the Gospel.
When is the Feast of St. Stephen?
The Feast of St. Stephen is celebrated on December 26, the day after Christmas.
Why is St. Stephen called the First Martyr?
He is called the First Martyr, or Protomartyr, because he was the first follower of Jesus Christ to die for the Christian faith after Christ’s Resurrection.
What is St. Stephen the patron saint of?
St. Stephen is the patron saint of deacons, stonemasons, bricklayers, and people suffering persecution for their faith.
What do people pray for in the St. Stephen Novena?
People commonly pray for courage, forgiveness, perseverance during suffering, protection, stronger faith, faithful service to God, and the grace to remain faithful until death.
When should I pray the St. Stephen Novena?
The novena may be prayed at any time during the year. Many Catholics begin it on December 17 so it concludes on December 25, the day before St. Stephen’s feast, while others pray it whenever they seek his intercession.
Is St. Stephen mentioned in the Bible?
Yes. His ministry, powerful preaching, and martyrdom are recorded in Acts chapters 6 and 7.
What can we learn from St. Stephen?
St. Stephen teaches us to trust God completely, forgive our enemies, serve others with humility, and remain faithful to Christ even in the face of suffering.
| Novena Begins: | December 17 |
| Feast Day: | December 26 |
Day 1 – Novena to St. Stephen
Let us begin, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
O glorious St. Stephen, first Martyr of the Faith, filled with compassion for all who invoke you and with love for those who suffer, I come before you burdened by the weight of my troubles. I kneel at your feet and humbly beg you to take my present need under your special protection.
(Mention your request here…)
Vouchsafe to recommend my petition to our Lord Jesus Christ. Never cease to intercede for me until my request is granted, if it is God’s holy will.
Above all, obtain for me the grace to one day behold God face to face, and together with you, the Blessed Virgin Mary, and all the angels and saints, praise Him throughout all eternity.
O most powerful St. Stephen, Deacon and Martyr, do not let me lose my soul, but obtain for me the grace of faithfully following Christ and, at the end of my life, attaining the joy of heaven forever.
St. Stephen, pray for us.
Pray one: Our Father…
Pray one: Hail Mary…
Pray one: Glory Be…
Day 2 – Novena to St. Stephen
Let us begin, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
O glorious St. Stephen, first Martyr of the Faith, filled with compassion for all who invoke you and with love for those who suffer, I come before you burdened by the weight of my troubles. I kneel at your feet and humbly beg you to take my present need under your special protection.
(Mention your request here…)
Vouchsafe to recommend my petition to our Lord Jesus Christ. Never cease to intercede for me until my request is granted, if it is God’s holy will.
Above all, obtain for me the grace to one day behold God face to face, and together with you, the Blessed Virgin Mary, and all the angels and saints, praise Him throughout all eternity.
O most powerful St. Stephen, Deacon and Martyr, do not let me lose my soul, but obtain for me the grace of faithfully following Christ and, at the end of my life, attaining the joy of heaven forever.
St. Stephen, pray for us.
Pray one: Our Father…
Pray one: Hail Mary…
Pray one: Glory Be…
Day 3 – Novena to St. Stephen
Let us begin, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
O glorious St. Stephen, first Martyr of the Faith, filled with compassion for all who invoke you and with love for those who suffer, I come before you burdened by the weight of my troubles. I kneel at your feet and humbly beg you to take my present need under your special protection.
(Mention your request here…)
Vouchsafe to recommend my petition to our Lord Jesus Christ. Never cease to intercede for me until my request is granted, if it is God’s holy will.
Above all, obtain for me the grace to one day behold God face to face, and together with you, the Blessed Virgin Mary, and all the angels and saints, praise Him throughout all eternity.
O most powerful St. Stephen, Deacon and Martyr, do not let me lose my soul, but obtain for me the grace of faithfully following Christ and, at the end of my life, attaining the joy of heaven forever.
St. Stephen, pray for us.
Pray one: Our Father…
Pray one: Hail Mary…
Pray one: Glory Be…
Day 4 – Novena to St. Stephen
Let us begin, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
O glorious St. Stephen, first Martyr of the Faith, filled with compassion for all who invoke you and with love for those who suffer, I come before you burdened by the weight of my troubles. I kneel at your feet and humbly beg you to take my present need under your special protection.
(Mention your request here…)
Vouchsafe to recommend my petition to our Lord Jesus Christ. Never cease to intercede for me until my request is granted, if it is God’s holy will.
Above all, obtain for me the grace to one day behold God face to face, and together with you, the Blessed Virgin Mary, and all the angels and saints, praise Him throughout all eternity.
O most powerful St. Stephen, Deacon and Martyr, do not let me lose my soul, but obtain for me the grace of faithfully following Christ and, at the end of my life, attaining the joy of heaven forever.
St. Stephen, pray for us.
Pray one: Our Father…
Pray one: Hail Mary…
Pray one: Glory Be…
Day 5 – Novena to St. Stephen
Let us begin, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
O glorious St. Stephen, first Martyr of the Faith, filled with compassion for all who invoke you and with love for those who suffer, I come before you burdened by the weight of my troubles. I kneel at your feet and humbly beg you to take my present need under your special protection.
(Mention your request here…)
Vouchsafe to recommend my petition to our Lord Jesus Christ. Never cease to intercede for me until my request is granted, if it is God’s holy will.
Above all, obtain for me the grace to one day behold God face to face, and together with you, the Blessed Virgin Mary, and all the angels and saints, praise Him throughout all eternity.
O most powerful St. Stephen, Deacon and Martyr, do not let me lose my soul, but obtain for me the grace of faithfully following Christ and, at the end of my life, attaining the joy of heaven forever.
St. Stephen, pray for us.
Pray one: Our Father…
Pray one: Hail Mary…
Pray one: Glory Be…
Day 6 – Novena to St. Stephen
Let us begin, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
O glorious St. Stephen, first Martyr of the Faith, filled with compassion for all who invoke you and with love for those who suffer, I come before you burdened by the weight of my troubles. I kneel at your feet and humbly beg you to take my present need under your special protection.
(Mention your request here…)
Vouchsafe to recommend my petition to our Lord Jesus Christ. Never cease to intercede for me until my request is granted, if it is God’s holy will.
Above all, obtain for me the grace to one day behold God face to face, and together with you, the Blessed Virgin Mary, and all the angels and saints, praise Him throughout all eternity.
O most powerful St. Stephen, Deacon and Martyr, do not let me lose my soul, but obtain for me the grace of faithfully following Christ and, at the end of my life, attaining the joy of heaven forever.
St. Stephen, pray for us.
Pray one: Our Father…
Pray one: Hail Mary…
Pray one: Glory Be…
Day 7 – Novena to St. Stephen
Let us begin, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
O glorious St. Stephen, first Martyr of the Faith, filled with compassion for all who invoke you and with love for those who suffer, I come before you burdened by the weight of my troubles. I kneel at your feet and humbly beg you to take my present need under your special protection.
(Mention your request here…)
Vouchsafe to recommend my petition to our Lord Jesus Christ. Never cease to intercede for me until my request is granted, if it is God’s holy will.
Above all, obtain for me the grace to one day behold God face to face, and together with you, the Blessed Virgin Mary, and all the angels and saints, praise Him throughout all eternity.
O most powerful St. Stephen, Deacon and Martyr, do not let me lose my soul, but obtain for me the grace of faithfully following Christ and, at the end of my life, attaining the joy of heaven forever.
St. Stephen, pray for us.
Pray one: Our Father…
Pray one: Hail Mary…
Pray one: Glory Be…
Day 8 – Novena to St. Stephen
Let us begin, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
O glorious St. Stephen, first Martyr of the Faith, filled with compassion for all who invoke you and with love for those who suffer, I come before you burdened by the weight of my troubles. I kneel at your feet and humbly beg you to take my present need under your special protection.
(Mention your request here…)
Vouchsafe to recommend my petition to our Lord Jesus Christ. Never cease to intercede for me until my request is granted, if it is God’s holy will.
Above all, obtain for me the grace to one day behold God face to face, and together with you, the Blessed Virgin Mary, and all the angels and saints, praise Him throughout all eternity.
O most powerful St. Stephen, Deacon and Martyr, do not let me lose my soul, but obtain for me the grace of faithfully following Christ and, at the end of my life, attaining the joy of heaven forever.
St. Stephen, pray for us.
Pray one: Our Father…
Pray one: Hail Mary…
Pray one: Glory Be…
Day 9 – Novena to St. Stephen
Let us begin, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
O glorious St. Stephen, first Martyr of the Faith, filled with compassion for all who invoke you and with love for those who suffer, I come before you burdened by the weight of my troubles. I kneel at your feet and humbly beg you to take my present need under your special protection.
(Mention your request here…)
Vouchsafe to recommend my petition to our Lord Jesus Christ. Never cease to intercede for me until my request is granted, if it is God’s holy will.
Above all, obtain for me the grace to one day behold God face to face, and together with you, the Blessed Virgin Mary, and all the angels and saints, praise Him throughout all eternity.
O most powerful St. Stephen, Deacon and Martyr, do not let me lose my soul, but obtain for me the grace of faithfully following Christ and, at the end of my life, attaining the joy of heaven forever.
St. Stephen, pray for us.
Pray one: Our Father…
Pray one: Hail Mary…
Pray one: Glory Be…
Leave us your prayers…