Portal:Catholic Church/Patron Archive/December 26

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|image=St-stephen.jpg

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|caption="Saint Stephan" painting by Carlo Crivelli, 1476.

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Prayer: Dear Saint Stephen first deacon and martyr, you are the patron saint and model for all deacons. You gave your life unafraid, valiantly speaking the truth you forgave those who were you persecutors. With love we mold our lives after yours. May we gain courage and strength from the wisdom and faith that you possessed as gifted by the Holy Spirit. Intercede for us, oh powerful Saint Stephen, that we may quietly reach out to the poor and the lonely, not seeking recognition for ourselves, but to honor the name of our Lord Jesus, the Savior. You who had the face of an angel guide our path - we ask all of this through the prayer of our Lord Jesus, the Christ. Amen.

|link=Saint Stephen

|Attributes=Red Martyr, stones, dalmatic, censer, miniature church, Gospel Book, martyr's palm frond. In Eastern Christianity he often wears an orarion.

|Patronage=Altar Servers;Acoma Indian Pueblo; casket makers; Cetona, Italy; deacons; headaches; horses; Kessel, Belgium; masons; Owensboro, Kentucky; Passau, Germany; Dodoma, Tanzania; Serbia; Republic of Srpska; Prato, Italy
See also: Pope Dionysius; Vicenta María López i Vicuña, Spain

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