Feast of St. Stephen, the First Martyr
Hymn
Antiphon: Stephen, filled with the Holy Spirit, looked to heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of the Father.
Psalm 2
Antiphon: Stephen fell to his knees and cried out in a loud voice: Lord Jesus, do not hold this sin against them.
Psalm 11
Antiphon: No one was able to resist the wisdom of blessed Stephen, for the Holy Spirit spoke through him.
Psalm 17
Verse: Affliction and distress surround me.
Resp: Yet your law is my delight.
First reading: Acts 6:8-7,2a,44-59
Responsory: Happy the man to whom the heavens opened.
Second reading: From a sermon by St. Fugentius of Ruspe, bishop
Responsory: The Lord entered into our world that Stephen might enter into heaven.
Te Deum
Presentation of the Liturgy of the Hours (Divine Office) from The Liturgy of the Hours (Four Volumes) (c) 1975, International Commission on English in the Liturgy Corporation. The texts of Biblical Readings are reproduced from the New American Bible © 1975
Background music: Silent night, O Holy Night, O Come All Ye Faithful.