Collects, Epistles, and
Gospels
for Christmastide.
for Christmastide.
Saint Stephen, Deacon and Martyr. [December 26.]
Missal Propers
The Collect.
GRANT, O Lord, that, in all our sufferings here upon earth
for the testimony of thy truth, we may stedfastly look up to
heaven, and by faith behold the glory that shall be revealed;
and, being filled with the Holy Ghost, may learn to love and
bless our persecutors by the example of thy first Martyr Saint
Stephen, who prayed for his murderers to thee, O blessed Jesus,
who standest at the right hand of God to succour all those who
suffer for thee. our only Mediator and Advocate. Amen.
STEPHEN, being full of the Holy Ghost, looked up stedfastly
into heaven, and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing on
the right hand of God, and said, Behold, I see the heavens opened,
and the Son of man standing on the right hand of God. Then they
cried out with a loud voice, and stopped their ears, and ran
upon him with one accord, and cast him out of the city, and stoned
him: and the witnesses laid down their clothes at a young man's
feet, whose name was Saul. And they stoned Stephen, calling upon
God, and saying, Lord Jesus, receive my spirit. And he kneeled
down, and cried with a loud voice, Lord, lay not this sin to
their charge. And when he had said this, he fell asleep.
BEHOLD, I send unto you prophets, and wise men, and scribes: and some of them ye shall kill and crucify; and some of them shall ye scourge in your synagogues, and persecute them from city to city: that upon you may come all the righteous blood shed upon the earth, from the blood of righteous Abel unto the blood of Zacharias son of Barachias, whom ye slew between the temple and the altar. Verily I say unto you, All these things shall come upon this generation. O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest the prophets, and stonest them which are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and ye would not! Behold, your house is left unto you desolate. For I say unto you, Ye shall not see me henceforth, till ye shall say, Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord.
Now yield we thanks and praise - Darmstadt 14
Who are these like stars appearing - All saints 130
The eternal gifts of Christ - Aeterna Christi munera 132
The eternal gifts of Christ - Guidetti 132
Blessed feasts of blessed martyrs - Alta Trinita Beata 135
Father, we thank thee who hast planted - Rendez a Dieu 195
O saving Victim, opening wide - Martyr Dei 209
O saving Victim, opening wide - St. Vincent 209
From glory to glory advancing - St. Keverne 492
The Son of God goes forth to war - All Saints New 549
Stand up, stand up, for Jesus - Morning Light 562
He who would valiant be - St. Dunstan's 563
Sing Alleluia forth in duteous praise - Martins 583
Lo what a cloud of Witnesses - St. Flavian 569
Ye watchers and ye holy ones - Vigiles et Sancti 594