Novena to St. Stephen – 9 Days of Prayer

Novena to the first Christian martyr, one of the seven deacons of Jerusalem. He was stoned to death while forgiving his killers — and among those watching was a young man named Saul, who would become St. Paul. Patron of deacons, stonemasons, and bricklayers.

St. Stephen was one of the first seven deacons and the first Christian martyr, who forgave his killers as he was stoned. Among those watching was a young man named Saul, later St. Paul. This novena asks for a forgiving heart. His feast is December 26. He is honoured the day after Christmas, a reminder that the infant in the manger came to die and rise. Altar servers and deacons look to him as patron. Pray it for those who have wronged you, and for the strength to forgive when it is hard.

Saint Stephen · December 269 dayssaint

A novena is nine consecutive days of prayer. Begin nine days before the feast (December 26) and finish on its eve. You can pray this novena at any time of year.

Pray this novena with daily reminders in the Sacred Novenas app

Open in the app App Store Google Play

Novena to St. Stephen – prayer for all nine days

Intention: For Those Persecuted for the Faith and Deacons of the Church

Lord Jesus, as Stephen was being stoned, he looked up and saw You standing at the right hand of God. Through his intercession, give us the vision to see You in the midst of our own trials, and the grace to forgive those who wrong us. Amen.

O glorious Saint Stephen, first martyr of the Church! You were a man full of faith and the Holy Spirit — one of the first seven deacons chosen to serve the poor. But God also gave you the gift of eloquence, and you preached with such power that your opponents could not refute you.

So they brought false witnesses against you. And before the Sanhedrin, your face appeared like the face of an angel. You gave a magnificent defense of salvation history — from Abraham to Moses to David to the prophets — and then you proclaimed the truth that Jesus is the Messiah, the one whom their ancestors had persecuted.

They dragged you outside the city and began to stone you. And as the stones fell, you prayed: 'Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.' And then — following the example of the One who died for you — you prayed: 'Lord, do not hold this sin against them.'

And you fell asleep in the Lord. Among those watching, holding the cloaks of those who stoned you, was a young Pharisee named Saul. Your prayer for your persecutors may have been the first seed planted in his heart.

Holy Stephen, teach me to forgive. Obtain for me the grace I seek. (Mention your intention here.)

When I am wronged, when I am treated unjustly, when I face persecution for my faith — give me your vision of Christ standing at God's right hand, and your courage to pray for those who hurt me. Amen.

Lord Jesus, who received the spirit of Your martyr Stephen and heard his prayer of forgiveness for his persecutors, grant us through his intercession a forgiving heart and the courage to witness to You even when it costs us everything. Amen.

Pray this prayer once a day for nine days in a row.

Traditional Catholic Devotional Prayer · Feast Day: December 26. Stephen was one of the seven first deacons and the first Christian martyr. Stoned to death in Jerusalem, his last words were a prayer of forgiveness for his executioners.

More novenas

Frequently asked questions

When should I start the Novena to St. Stephen?

Begin on December 17 to end on December 25, the eve of the feast on December 26.

How do I pray the Novena to St. Stephen?

Pray the daily prayer once a day, naming someone you need to forgive.

Who is the Novena to St. Stephen for?

It is for deacons, altar servers and anyone who needs to forgive.

Pray this novena with daily reminders in the Sacred Novenas app

Open in the app App Store Google Play