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Show , St. Stephen. Holy Mother Church celebrates on Tuesday, .Dec. 26, the Feast of Saint Stephen, First Martyr. There is good reason to believe that the Saint was one of. the seventy-two disciples of our Blessed Lord. After the Ascension he was chosen one of the seven deacons. The machinery of the seven was very fruitful; but Stephen especially, "full of, grace and fortitude, did great wonders and signs among the people." Many adversaries rose up to dispute with him. but "they were not able to withstand the wisdom and the spirit that sooke." At length he was brought before the Sanhedrim, charged like his Divine Master, with blasphemy against Moses and against God. ! He boldly upbraided the chief priests with their hard-hearted resistance of the Holy Ghost and with the murder of the "Just One." They were stung with anger, an-ger, and gnashed their teeth against him. But when, "filled with the Holy Ghost and looking up to heaven; he cried out. 'Behold, I see the heavens opened and the Son of Man Standing- at the right hand of God,' they rushed upon him and, dragging him forth without the city, they stoned him to death." , Reflection If ever you are tempted to resentment, pray from your heart for him who has offended you. |