Mass Readings for Friday, 26 December 2025 — the Feast of St Stephen, the First Martyr

 

📖 Mass Readings — 26 December 2025

Feast: Saint Stephen, First Martyr
Liturgical Colour: Red (Martyrdom)
Lectionary: 696 Universalis





🕮 Opening Prayer 

O God,
who granted the grace of martyrdom to Saint Stephen,
open the hearts of your faithful,
that, rejoicing in the blood of your Martyrs,
we may attain that crown of glory promised to all who suffer for your Name.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever.
(A standard collect prayer fitting the feast — available in the Universalis app/site for 26 Dec) Universalis

📜 Liturgy of the Word

1️⃣ First Reading

Acts 6:8-10; 7:54-59
Stephen, filled with grace and power, did great wonders among the people.
Some disputed with him, but could not resist his spirit.
When they heard his bold witness, they were enraged, and stoned him outside the city.
As he was dying, Stephen prayed, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” catholic.org

➡️ Read full text (Catholic Online): https://www.catholic.org/bible/daily_reading/?select_date=2025-12-26 catholic.org

🗣️ Responsorial Psalm

Psalm 31:3cd-4, 6 and 8ab, 16bc and 17
R. Into your hands, O Lord, I commend my spirit.
The psalm expresses trust in God’s protection, echoing Stephen’s final prayer. catholic.org

📖 Alleluia Verse

Psalm 118:26a, 27a
Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord;
the Lord is God and has given us light.
Alleluia! catholic.org

📖 Gospel Reading

Matthew 10:17-22
Jesus teaches the disciples that they will face persecution for His sake.
He encourages them not to worry about what to say, for the Spirit will speak through them.
Those who persevere to the end will be saved. catholic.org

➡️ Gospel reading link (Bible text): https://www.catholic.org/bible/daily_reading/?select_date=2025-12-26 catholic.org

🙏 Closing Prayer 

Merciful God,
who strengthen us with the Body and Blood of your Son,
grant that, following the example of Saint Stephen,
we may always bear witness to your truth with courage of heart.
Through Christ our Lord. 

Amen

(Typical prayer after Communion for a saint’s feast — available in universalis.com/20251226/today.htm) Universalis

🧠 Explanation & Reflection

Theme of the Day: Witness & Perseverance

  • Saint Stephen is celebrated as the first Christian martyr — the first to give his life confessing Christ. Universalis

  • First Reading (Acts) shows how Stephen’s faith, grace, and courage in the face of opposition point toward Christ’s own passion and witness. catholic.org

  • Psalm 31 resonates with Stephen’s last words: “Into your hands, O Lord, I commend my spirit” — trusting God even in death. catholic.org

  • Gospel (Matthew) reminds us that discipleship can come with suffering, but the Holy Spirit empowers us to be faithful witnesses. catholic.org

Application for Catholics & Catechumens

  • For Catholics:

    • Reflect on your witness of faith in daily life, especially when it’s expensive or counter-cultural.

    • Offer small sacrifices with joy, uniting them to Christ’s love.

  • For Catechumens:

    • Understand that Christian life calls not just for belief but for courageous living — loving God and neighbor even in hardship.

    • Pray for the Holy Spirit to give strength in moments of doubt or challenge.

📌 Source Links (for Catholic.sg style daily access)

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