26th December - St. Stephen
You desire that which exceeds my humble powers, but I trust in the compassion and mercy of the All-powerful God - St. Stephen.
The deep bond which links Christ to His first martyr Stephen, is divine Charity – the very Love which impelled the Son of God to empty Himself and make Himself obedient unto death on a Cross …It is always necessary to notice this distinctive feature of Christian martyrdom, it is exclusively an act of love for God and for man, including persecutors - Pope Benedict XVI
