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Saturday, December 26, 2026

Feast · Saint Stephen, the First Martyr

Midday Prayer for Saturday, December 26, 2026. You can scroll the whole Hour, or use Prayer space. Light is shorter.

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About today

The day after Christmas the Church keeps Stephen, the first martyr, who saw the heavens opened and prayed for those who stoned him. The octave will not let us separate the crib from the Cross. His feast is 26 December, the first blood after the first night, a deacon’s yes spoken in the street while the Child still sleeps. Ask today for a forgiveness as quick as his, and for a witness that does not wait until the feast is over.

Original – Prayer on Fire.

Saint Stephen, the First Martyr — Choose how you want to pray this hour:

Sign of the Cross

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Opening

God, come to my assistance. Lord, make haste to help me.

Psalm I

Antiphon

The Word became flesh and dwelt among us — glory to God in the highest.

Psalm 131 (130):1–2

Catholic Public Domain Version (public domain)

Psalm

O Lord, my heart has not been exalted, and my eyes have not been raised up. Neither have I walked in greatness, nor in wonders beyond me. When I was not humble in thought, then I lifted up my soul. Like a weaned child with his mother, so is the reward in my soul.

Glory Be

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

Antiphon

The Word became flesh and dwelt among us — glory to God in the highest.

Intentions

Add your own personal intentions (opens in a new tab)

Shared by the community

For Mary and Dewey as they prepare for their upcoming wedding, may the Holy Spirit be with them and help grow their love for one another through Holy Matrimony.

R. Lord, have mercy.

On this feast, keep us faithful in the ordinary hour, and let the joy of your saints remain with us.

R. Lord, have mercy.

Our Father

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name; thy kingdom come; thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. Amen.

Closing prayer

God our Father, you give the Church this day of Saint Stephen, the First Martyr. Let the grace of this Hour stay with us in work and rest. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Sign of the Cross

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

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An original Prayer on Fire offering for the hours of the day