Deepertruth: Stand In The Gap With Us And St. Stephen, the first Catholic Martyr

Stand In The Gap With Us And St. Stephen, the first Catholic Martyr 12/26/2023

St. Stephen was buried by his Christian family, but in time the location of his tomb was lost until about 415 A.D. a Catholic Priest received a vision showing where St. Stephen had been buried. Confirmation of St. Stephen's tomb bore his name.

Lord Jesus, you chose Stephen as the first deacon and martyr of your One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church. The heroic witness of his holy life and death reveals your continued presence among us. Through following the example of his living faith, and by his intercession, empower us by your Holy Spirit to live as witnesses to the faith in this New Missionary Age. No matter what our state in life, career or vocation, help us to proclaim, in both word and in deed, the fullness of the Gospel to a world which is waiting to be born anew in Jesus Christ. Pour out upon your whole Church, the same Holy Spirit which animated St Stephen, Martyr, to be faithful to the end, which is a beginning of life eternal in the communion of the Trinity.