THE OCTAVE OF CHRISTMAS
SAINTS OF THE DAY ~ FEAST DAY: DECEMBER 26, 2025 | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/category/saints-of-the-day
MEMORIAL OF SAINT STEPHEN, FIRST MARTYR | DECEMBER 26TH | Direct link to the detailed history of Saint Stephen | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/saint-of-the-day-feast-day-december-26th/
Watch “Holy Mass and Holy Rosary | EWTN | December 26, 2025 | “Holy Mass from the National Shrine of the Divine Mercy” | Pray “Holy Rosary Novena From Lourdes” | Pray “The Chaplet of Divine Mercy in song from the National Shrine of the Divine Mercy” | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/catholic-daily-mass-december-26-2025/
THE LITURGICAL YEAR IN THE CATHOLIC CHURCH | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/the-liturgical-year-in-the-catholic-church/
Greetings and blessings, beloved family!
Today, December 26, the Church celebrates the Feast of Saint Stephen, First Martyr, as we continue to rejoice in the Octave of Christmas. While the joy of Christ’s birth is still fresh in our hearts, the liturgy invites us to contemplate the cost of discipleship through the courageous witness of Saint Stephen. Today’s readings reveal the inseparable link between faith in Christ and faithful endurance. In the Gospel, Jesus prepares His disciples for persecution, assuring them that the Spirit of the Father will speak through them. In the First Reading, we see these words fulfilled in Saint Stephen, who, filled with the Holy Spirit, bears fearless witness to Christ and entrusts his life into God’s hands. As we reflect today, we are reminded that the light of Christmas shines most brightly in lives that remain faithful to Christ, even in the face of suffering and sacrifice. 🙏🏽
We joyfully thank God for the gift of life and for leading us safely into the month of December. As we continue this sacred journey of faith, we give thanks for God’s boundless mercy and the hope of eternal life promised to those who believe in Him. May the witness of the Saints and the faith of our loved ones inspire us to live each day in holiness, humility, and love. This month of December, dedicated to the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary, invites us to grow in grace and devotion, following her example of purity, obedience, and complete trust in God’s plan. Through the prayers of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Queen of All Saints, may God fill our hearts with hope, strengthen our faith, and guide us in holiness throughout this Advent season. May this month bring light to our minds, peace to our hearts, and strength to our souls. Amen 🙏🏽
“Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted” ~ Matthew 5:4
We join our Holy Father Pope Leo XIV to pray for the gentle repose of the souls of our dear beloved late Pope Francis, the Cardinals, Bishops, Priests and Religious who have gone to be with the Lord. We also remember in prayer all who began this journey of life with us but are no longer here. We pray for the gentle repose of the souls of our loved ones who recently passed away, and we continue to pray for the souls in Purgatory; lost souls. For the repose of the souls of all the faithful departed, may the Lord receive them into the light of Eternal Kingdom.
“Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of His Saints.” ~ Psalm 116:15
Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord. And let perpetual light shine upon them. May their gentle souls through the mercy of God rest in perfect peace with our Lord Jesus Christ… Amen 🙏🏽
PRAYER FOR THE DEAD: In your hands, O Lord, we humbly entrust our brothers and sisters. In this life, you embraced them with your tender love; deliver them now from every evil, and bid them eternal rest. The old order has passed away: welcome them into paradise, where there will be no sorrow, no weeping or pain, but fullness of peace and joy with your Son and the Holy Spirit forever and ever. Amen🙏🏽✝️🕯✝️🕯✝️🕯
Lord Almighty, we lift our hearts in gratitude for Your unfailing love, protection, and mercy that carried us through the past months. We entrust the days of December into Your hands, asking for Your blessings, guidance, and peace upon our lives and families. May this month be for us a time of renewed faith, deeper hope, and overflowing joy. We pray especially for all families, for children, parents, and teachers, that they may be strengthened and protected. Bless those who will celebrate birthdays, anniversaries, new opportunities, and milestones this month, and comfort those who enter it with heavy hearts or struggles. Lord, go before us, walk beside us, and remain with us always, now and forever. Amen. 🙏🏽
Today, we humbly pray for the poor, abandoned, and those in need, for all those who are marginalized in our society. For those who are imprisoned, especially those who are unjustly imprisoned. We pray for charitable organizations, asking God’s blessing upon their mission and we lift our prayers for peace, love, justice and unity in our families, marriages and our world. May God protect us all and keep us safe and united in peace, love and faith. Amen 🙏🏽
Through the intercession of our Blessed Mother Mary on this special Feast day, we lift our prayers for the protection, safety and well-being of healthcare professionals, educators, missionaries, pilots, and all travelers. We ask for healing for the sick and dying, especially those who are suffering from cancers and other terminal diseases, strength for the weary, peace in troubled homes, and provision for all in need. Guide our steps in righteousness, protect us from harm, and fill our hearts with faith, joy, and gratitude. May this month draw us closer to Your will, and may every day be a testimony of Your goodness and mercy in our lives. We begin this month with trust in Your unfailing love, Lord, and we surrender all that lies ahead into Your hands. Amen 🙏🏾
We continue to pray for the Church, the Clergy, our Holy Father, Pope Leo XIV, the Cardinals, Bishops, all Priests, that they be sanctified in their ministry to God’s people. We pray for persecuted Christians, for the conversion of sinners, and Christians all over the world suffering from political and religious unrest.
Through the intercession of St. Joseph, we pray for all fathers, mothers, workers, and all those who labor in this world. May the Lord bless the work of their hands, and may God’s grace and mercy be with us all during this season of Advent. Wishing us all and our loved ones a joyful, peaceful, and grace-filled month of December. 🙏🏽
SOLEMNITY OF THE NATIVITY OF OUR LORD | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/solemnity-of-the-nativity-of-our-lord/
SCRIPTURE REFLECTIONS:
Bible Readings for today’s Holy Mass, The Octave of Christmas | USCCB | https://bible.usccb.org/daily-bible-reading
Today’s Bible Readings: Feast of Saint Stephen, First Martyr | December 26, 2025
Reading 1: Acts 6:8–10; 7:54–59
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 31:3cd–4, 6 and 8ab, 16bc and 17
Gospel: Matthew 10:17–22
Gospel Reading ~ Matthew 10:17–22
“Whoever endures to the end will be saved.”
Jesus said to his disciples: “Beware of men, for they will hand you over to courts and scourge you in their synagogues, and you will be led before governors and kings for my sake as a witness before them and the pagans. When they hand you over, do not worry about how you are to speak or what you are to say. You will be given at that moment what you are to say. For it will not be you who speak but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you. Brother will hand over brother to death, and the father his child; children will rise up against parents and have them put to death. You will be hated by all because of my name, but whoever endures to the end will be saved.”
In today’s Gospel reading, Jesus speaks with striking honesty about the cost of discipleship. He does not promise His followers comfort or security; instead, He prepares them for rejection, betrayal, and suffering for the sake of His name. Yet, within this sobering message is a profound reassurance: they will not stand alone. When they are handed over, when fear threatens to silence them, it will not be they who speak, but the Spirit of the Father speaking through them. Discipleship, therefore, is not sustained by human strength but by divine grace. Fidelity to Christ may lead through trials, but it is the Spirit who gives courage, wisdom, and endurance.
Reflecting more deeply on the Gospel, we are reminded that Christian witness is not optional or convenient; it is a daily call to faithfulness, even when it is costly. Jesus acknowledges that following Him may bring division, misunderstanding, and even hatred. Yet, He anchors our hope in perseverance: “Whoever endures to the end will be saved.” Endurance here is not mere stubbornness but steadfast trust in God amid adversity. It is the quiet courage to remain faithful in truth, love, and hope, even when faith is challenged or mocked. The Gospel invites us to examine how we bear witness to Christ in our own circumstances, whether in bold proclamation or silent fidelity.
In the First Reading from the Acts of the Apostles, we see the Gospel lived out in the life of Saint Stephen. Filled with grace and power, Stephen speaks with wisdom that his opponents cannot withstand. Even as he faces violent rejection, his gaze remains fixed on heaven. His final prayer echoes the trust of Christ Himself: “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” Stephen’s martyrdom is not a defeat but a triumph of faith. It reveals that true victory lies not in escaping suffering but in surrendering one’s life entirely into God’s hands. His witness reminds us that faithfulness, even unto death, bears fruit beyond what we can see.
The Responsorial Psalm gives voice to this same trust: “Into your hands, O Lord, I commend my spirit.” These words express total surrender and confidence in God’s saving care. The psalmist acknowledges danger, persecution, and distress, yet proclaims God as a rock of refuge and fortress. This prayer becomes especially meaningful on the feast of Saint Stephen, whose life and death embody this total entrustment. In moments of fear or uncertainty, the psalm teaches us to place our lives, our struggles, and our future securely in God’s hands.
As we reflect on the Sacred Scriptures today, we are invited to ask ourselves: How do I respond when my faith is tested or misunderstood? Do I rely on my own strength, or do I trust the Spirit of God to guide my words and actions? Am I willing to endure discomfort or opposition for the sake of Christ? As we continue to celebrate the mystery of Christ’s birth, today’s readings remind us that Christian life is a call to courageous witness and unwavering trust. Like Saint Stephen, we are invited to keep our eyes fixed on God’s glory and to commend our lives into His hands. In doing so, we discover that even suffering, when united with Christ, becomes a path to salvation and eternal life.
Heavenly Father, You strengthened Saint Stephen with the grace of Your Holy Spirit to remain faithful even unto death. Grant us the courage to bear witness to Christ in our daily lives, especially when faith demands sacrifice. Teach us to trust You completely, to place our lives into Your hands, and to endure in love and truth until the end. May Your Spirit guide our words, strengthen our hearts, and lead us to the salvation You promise. Through Christ our Lord. Amen. 🙏🏽
MEMORIAL OF SAINT STEPHEN, FIRST MARTYR – FEAST DAY: DECEMBER 26TH: Today, the Church celebrates the Feast of Saint Stephen (Patron of Deacons, Altar Servers, and Stonemasons), the First Martyr of the Christian faith. Coming immediately after the joy of Christmas, this feast powerfully reminds us that the birth of Christ calls not only for celebration but also for courageous witness. Saint Stephen’s life and death reveal the true meaning of Christmas: the coming of Jesus Christ, who brings the truth of God’s love into the world, a truth worth living for and, if necessary, dying for. As the Protomartyr of the Church, Saint Stephen shows us that faith in Christ is inseparable from fidelity, sacrifice, and love, even in the face of persecution. 🙏🏾
Saints of the Day with Daily Reflections | December 26th https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com
(Direct link to the detailed history of Saint Stephen, First Martyr | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/saint-of-the-day-feast-day-december-26th/)
SAINT STEPHEN, FIRST MARTYR: Saint Stephen (1st century), honored as the Protomartyr, was the very first Christian to shed his blood for Christ. His name comes from the Greek stephanos, meaning “crown,” fittingly symbolizing the martyr’s crown he received through his faithful witness. A Jew by birth and a devoted disciple of Christ, Stephen was chosen after the Ascension as one of the seven deacons of the early Church in Jerusalem. Sacred Scripture describes him as “a man full of faith and the Holy Spirit” and “full of grace and power,” working great wonders and signs among the people (Acts 6:5, 8). Entrusted by the Apostles with the ministry of charity, especially the care of widows, Stephen also boldly proclaimed Christ as the fulfillment of the Law and the Prophets, speaking with wisdom inspired by the Holy Spirit that his opponents could not withstand.
Unable to refute his preaching, members of the synagogues falsely accused Stephen of blasphemy and brought him before the Sanhedrin. There, he delivered a powerful discourse recounting Israel’s history and exposing the people’s repeated resistance to God’s grace, boldly accusing the leaders of opposing the Holy Spirit and rejecting the Messiah. Condemned and cast out of the city, Stephen was stoned to death, yet even in his final moments his heart reflected Christ’s mercy. Gazing toward heaven, he proclaimed, “I see the heavens opened and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God,” and prayed, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit,” and, kneeling, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them” (Acts 7:55–60). He fell asleep in the Lord around 35 A.D., as a young Saul—later Saint Paul the Apostle—looked on. Saint Stephen is honored as the Patron Saint of deacons, altar servers, stonemasons, casket makers, masons, those suffering from headaches, horses, and Italy, reminding the Church that true discipleship is marked by courageous faith, steadfast truth, and forgiving love.
PRAYER: O God, who crowned Saint Stephen with glory as the First Martyr of Your Church, grant us the grace to imitate his steadfast faith and merciful heart. Teach us to love our enemies, to forgive those who wrong us, and to bear courageous witness to Christ in every circumstance. Through the intercession of Saint Stephen, may we remain faithful to You even in trials, trusting always in Your eternal promise. Through Christ our Lord. Amen. 🙏🏾
Our Blessed Mother Mary, and Saint Stephen, First Martyr ~ Pray for us. 🙏🏾
GENERAL PRAYERS AND INTENTIONS | PRAYERS FOR PEACE | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/general-prayers-and-intentions/
LIST OF ALL NOVENAS | Month of December | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/list-of-all-novenas-december/
COMMON CATHOLIC PRAYERS | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/common-catholic-prayers/
THE HOLY ROSARY: WHAT IS THE HOLY ROSARY AND WHY DO WE PRAY THE HOLY ROSARY? | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/2024/11/21/the-holy-rosary-what-is-the-holy-rosary-and-why-do-we-pray-the-holy-rosary/
KIND REMINDER: JUBILEE YEAR OF HOPE 2025 HOLY DOOR SCHEDULE TIMELINES | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/jubilee-of-hope-2025/
Please find below links to the websites for Daily Reflections, Foundation, and interesting topics and articles about our Catholic faith and doctrines | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/2025/01/30/daily-reflections-and-prayer-links/
THE POPE’S MONTHLY INTENTIONS FOR 2025: FOR THE MONTH OF DECEMBER: For Christians in areas of conflict. Let us pray that Christians living in areas of war or conflict, especially in the Middle East, might be seeds of peace, reconciliation and hope.
(https://popesprayerusa.net/popes-intentions/)
DEVOTION OF THE MONTH OF DECEMBER | MONTH OF THE IMMACULATE CONCEPTION: December is dedicated to the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary, a celebration of God’s most wondrous work in preparing a pure and spotless Mother for His Son. From the first moment of her existence, Mary was preserved from the stain of Original Sin by a singular grace and privilege, in view of the merits of Christ’s saving passion. She is the “all-holy,” full of grace, the radiant dawn announcing the coming of our Savior, and the perfect model of what God desires for every Christian—a life transformed by grace.
This devotion reaches its summit on December 8, the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception, one of the most cherished Marian feasts of the Church. Throughout this month, the Church invites us to contemplate Mary’s unique call, her purity of heart, and her total openness to God’s will. As we enter the Advent season and prepare for the birth of Christ, Mary stands before us as the first and most faithful disciple—the woman whose “yes” changed the course of salvation history.
In honoring Mary Immaculate, we are drawn into the mystery of God’s redeeming love and reminded that holiness is possible for us too through God’s grace. May this month awaken in us a deeper devotion to the Mother of God and inspire us to imitate her virtues of humility, purity, obedience, and trust.
“O Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to thee.” 🙏🏽
https://www.catholicculture.org/culture/library/view.cfm?recnum=12540
PRAYER INTENTIONS: On this Feast of Saint Stephen, First Martyr, we lift our hearts to the Lord in humble prayer. We pray for the Church throughout the world, that like Saint Stephen, she may remain steadfast in proclaiming the Gospel with courage, wisdom, and love, even in the face of opposition or persecution. We pray for deacons, altar servers, and all who serve the Church, that they may be strengthened by the Holy Spirit to live lives of faithful service and self-giving charity. We remember all Christians who suffer for their faith today—those misunderstood, rejected, or persecuted for bearing witness to Christ—that they may find strength, consolation, and hope in the promise of eternal life. We also pray for hearts wounded by hatred, division, and unforgiveness, that the example of Saint Stephen may inspire reconciliation, mercy, and peace. Finally, we commend our own lives to the Lord, asking for the grace to endure trials with faith, to trust the Spirit’s guidance in difficult moments, and to remain faithful to Christ until the end.
LET US PRAY:
Heavenly Father, into Your hands we commend our spirits. As You strengthened Saint Stephen with the grace of the Holy Spirit to remain faithful even unto death, grant us the courage to stand firm in our faith and to bear witness to Christ through lives of truth, humility, and love. When we face trials, fear, or rejection, remind us that it is Your Spirit who speaks and acts within us. Teach us to forgive as we have been forgiven, to love even our enemies, and to trust in Your saving promise. May our lives reflect the glory of Christ, whom we follow with hope and perseverance, until we share in the joy of eternal life. Through Christ our Lord. Amen. 🙏🏽
Save Us, Savior of the World. Our Blessed Mother Mary, and Saint Stephen ~ Pray for us 🙏🏾
Sacred Heart of Jesus, I place all my trust in you. Immaculate Heart of Mary, Pray for us. Amen 🙏🏽
Thanking God for the precious gift of this new day, and as we continue our joyful celebration of the Octave of Christmas, may our hearts remain open to the wondrous mystery of Christ’s birth, who comes to dwell among us and bring light, hope, and salvation to the world. As we journey through these holy days, we lift our hearts in gratitude for the greatest gift ever given: God Himself, born for us in humble love. May this sacred season fill our lives with the peace, joy, and grace that flow from the presence of Emmanuel, God-with-us. Alleluia! May God bless all those gathering with family and friends during this blessed time, and may His love shine brightly in every home. May these days of the Christmas Octave be safe, grace-filled, and joyful, drawing us ever deeper into the mystery of the Lord’s Incarnation and the quiet wonder of His abiding presence among us. 🙏🏽
Blessings and Love always, Philomena 💖
Daily Reflections with Philomena | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/
Sir G.L.I Opiepe’s Health and Education Foundation | https://gliopiepehe.org
Sir G.L.I Opiepe’s Health and Education Foundation | Global Missions Now Awards |
https://youtu.be/gB31nuOFx0A?si=mSoZs-wiByhGs
North Texas Catholic Magazine | Dr. Philomena Ikowe – Life on Purpose (pages 44-45) | https://www.flipsnack.com/A9DFE877C6F/north-texas-catholic-magazine-mar-apr-issue-2025/full-view.html
Dr. Philomena Ikowe and Her Joyful Catholic Witness | Lights, Catholic, Action! | Podcast Interview | https://dailyreflectionswithphilomena.com/dr-philomena-ikowe-and-her-joyful-catholic-witness/