Catholic Family Devotions

Understanding the Day

Season

Christmastide

Week

Week 2 of Christmastide

Rank

Simple feast

Christmastide is the liturgical season that continues the Church’s celebration of the Nativity of Our Lord. The “Octave of St. Stephen” falls within Christmastide and marks one of the eight days (an octave) that extend the feast’s liturgical remembrance. The rank given here, Simple, indicates a modest observance: the day has proper prayers or readings but does not supersede more solemn feasts.

Introit (Daily Prayer)

Isa 9:6
A Child is born to us, a Son is given to us; upon His shoulder dominion rests; and His name shall be called the Angel of great counsel.
Ps 97:1
Sing to the Lord a new song, for He has done wondrous deeds.
Glory Be to the Father…

O God, Who by the fruitful virginity of blessed Mary, have bestowed upon mankind the reward of eternal salvation, grant, we beseech You, that we may enjoy the intercession of her through whom we have been found worthy to receive among us the author of life, our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son,
Who livest and reignest with God the Father…

Weekly Prayer

Act of Faith

O my God, I firmly believe that Thou art one God in Three Divine Persons, Father, Son and Holy Ghost.

I believe that Thy Divine Son became Man, and died for our sins, and that He will come to judge the living and the dead.

I believe these and all the truths which the Holy Catholic Church teaches, because Thou hast revealed them, Who canst neither deceive nor be deceived.

Weekly Formation

Defrauding Laborers of Their Wages

Sins Crying to Heaven

Defrauding laborers of their wages
Defrauding laborers means withholding, delaying, or diminishing the just wages owed for their work. Scripture treats this as a sin crying to heaven because a worker’s livelihood may depend on that pay and the stronger party exploits an unequal position.

The Cardinal Virtues

Justice
Justice is the steady will to give God and each person what is due. It governs worship, rights, promises, property, work, authority, and social duties by measuring conduct according to objective obligation rather than convenience or favoritism.

Saint & Feast

Principal celebration

Stephen

Octave of St. Stephen

Deacon, martyr, and saint

Born: 0001-00-00 · Greece
Died: 0036-01-01 · Jerusalem

Stephen is traditionally venerated as the protomartyr or first martyr of Christianity. According to the Acts of the Apostles, he was a deacon in the early church at Jerusalem who angered members of various synagogues by his teachings. Accused of blasphemy at his trial, he made a speech denouncing the Jewish authorities who were sitting in judgment on him and was then stoned to death. Saul of Tarsus, a Pharisee and Roman citizen who would later become an apostle, participated in Stephen's execution.

Learn more about Stephen

Customs & Fasting

No traditional fast · Complete abstinence

Traditional Friday complete abstinence.

Today in Church History

Death of Saint Maria Goretti's Mother
1960Event
Assunta Goretti, the mother of Saint Maria Goretti, passed away on January 2, 1960. Her forgiveness of her daughter's murderer became a powerful testimony to Christian mercy.
Assunta Goretti's forgiveness exemplifies the transformative power of mercy and grace.
Death of Cardinal Tardini
1960Papal
Cardinal Domenico Tardini, a key figure in the Vatican's diplomatic efforts and Secretary of State under Pope John XXIII, died on January 2, 1960.
Cardinal Tardini's service exemplifies dedication to the Church's mission in the world.

Catechism

Catechism of the Catholic Church

The Catechism teaches us that the Word became flesh through the Incarnation for our salvation. Jesus reconciles us with God, reveals God’s love, and was sent so that we might live through him and have eternal life. By taking on human nature, Jesus also becomes our model of holiness, teaching us to listen to him, walk in the way of truth and life, and love one another as he has loved us. This mystery invites us to enter into communion with the Word and become partakers of the divine nature through divine sonship. As we confess that Jesus Christ truly came in the flesh, we join the Church’s joyful faith in the mystery of the Incarnation.

God, in his goodness, created us to share in his blessed life. He draws close to us, calling us to seek, know, and love him, and through his Son invites us in the Holy Spirit to become his adopted children. Christ sent the apostles to proclaim the Gospel and make disciples of all nations, and all the faithful are called to hand on this faith by professing it, living in fraternal sharing, and celebrating it in liturgy and prayer. Catechesis serves this mission by educating children, young people, and adults in the faith and initiating them into the fullness of Christian life. As we grow in faith, celebrate the sacraments, take part in the Church’s community, and bear witness to the Gospel, we help hand on the treasure received from the apostles to the next generation.

The Catechism of the Catholic Church presents an organic synthesis of the essential contents of Catholic faith and morals in light of the Second Vatican Council and the Church’s Tradition. Drawing on Sacred Scripture, the Fathers of the Church, the liturgy, and the Church’s Magisterium, it is intended especially as a resource for bishops, priests, catechists, and others responsible for teaching the faith, while also offering useful reading for all Christian faithful. Its structure follows four great pillars of catechesis: the profession of faith in the Creed, the sacraments of faith, the life of faith expressed in the Commandments and charity, and the prayer of the believer centered on the Lord’s Prayer. As we read it together, it can help us reflect on God’s gifts as Creator, Redeemer, and Sanctifier; on the salvation made present in the Church’s liturgy; on the call to beatitude through God’s law and grace; and on the good things we hope for in prayer to our heavenly Father.

Today's Mass Readings

Open the day's Sancta MissaDivinum Officium · Divino Afflatu - 1954View readings