December 26, 2024, Feast of St. Stephen, First Martyr, Holy Rosary (Luminous Mysteries)

Friends of the Rosary, Merry and Holy Christmas! Today, December 26, the Second Day in the Octave of Christmas, we celebrate the Feast of St. Stephen, the first Christian martyr and witness to the Lord. St. Stephen was stoned outside Jerusalem two years after the death of Christ. He died praying for his executioners. In imitation of Christ unto the complete gift of self, he was one of the deacons who helped the apostles. He was “filled with faith and the Holy Spirit" and was "full of fortitude.” The account in the Acts of the Apostles relating his arrest and the accusations brought against him emphasizes the parallel with our Saviour's trial and execution. By establishing the feast on the day after Christmas, the Church draws a close comparison between the disciple and the Master and thus extends his witness to the whole mission of the Redeemer. St. Stephen is usually pictured in deacon's vestments, holding the symbol of martyrdom, a palm branch. Ave Maria!Jesus, I Trust In You! Come, Holy Spirit, come! To Jesus through Mary! + Mikel Amigot | RosaryNetwork.com, New York • ⁠⁠Enjoy this video and enhance your faith in our newly released iOS app • ⁠December 26, 2024, Today’s Rosary on YouTube | Daily broadcast at 7:30 pm ET