12/26/08, Saint Stephen, first martyr

Entrance Antiphon (stand)
The gates of heaven opened for Stephen, the first of the martyrs; in heaven, he wears the crown of victory.
Greeting
(make the sign of the cross from forehead to below chest, across shoulders)
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Opening Prayer:
Lord, today we celebrate the entrance of St. Stephen into eternal glory. He died praying for those who killed him. Help us to imitate his goodness and to love our enemies. We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.
Liturgy of the Word
Reading 1 (sit) (Acts 6:8-10; 7:54-59)
A reading from the Acts of the Apostles
Stephen, filled with grace and power, was working great wonders and signs among the people. Certain members of the so-called Synagogue of Freedmen, Cyrenians, and Alexandrians, and people from Cilicia and Asia, came forward and debated with Stephen, but they could not withstand the wisdom and the spirit with which he spoke. When they heard this, they were infuriated, and they ground their teeth at him. But he, filled with the Holy Spirit, looked up intently to heaven and saw the glory of God and Jesus standing at the right hand of God, and he said, “Behold, I see the heavens opened and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.” But they cried out in a loud voice, covered their ears, and rushed upon him together. They threw him out of the city, and began to stone him. The witnesses laid down their cloaks at the feet of a young man named Saul. As they were stoning Stephen, he called out “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” The word of the LORD. Thanks be to God.
Responsorial Psalm (Ps 31:3cd-4, 6 and 8ab, 16bc and 17)
R. Into your hands, O Lord, I commend my spirit.
Be my rock of refuge, a stronghold to give me safety. You are my rock and my fortress; for your name’s sake you will lead and guide me.
R. Into your hands, O Lord, I commend my spirit.
Into your hands I commend my spirit; you will redeem me, O LORD, O faithful God. I will rejoice and be glad because of your mercy.
R. Into your hands, O Lord, I commend my spirit.
Rescue me from the clutches of my enemies and my persecutors. Let your face shine upon your servant; save me in your kindness.
R. Into your hands, O Lord, I commend my spirit.
Alleluia, alleluia (stand) (Ps118:26a, 27a)
Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord: the LORD is God and has given us light.
Alleluia, alleluia
Gospel (Mt 10:17-22)
The Lord be with you. And also with you.
A reading from the holy Gospel according to Matthew (make the sign of the cross on the forehead, the mouth and the chest) Glory to you, Lord
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.” The Gospel of the Lord. Praise to you, Lord, Jesus Christ.
Homily (sit)
Profession of Faith (stand)
General Intercessions
Liturgy of the Eucharist (sit)
Preparation of the Altar and Gifts
Blessed are you, Lord, God of all creation…
Blessed be God forever.
Blessed be God forever.
Pray, brethren... (kneel)
May the Lord accept the sacrifice at your hands for the praise and glory of his name, for our good and the good of all his Church.
Prayer over the Gifts
Pray, brethren...
Father, be pleases with the gifts we bring in your honor as we celebrate the feast of St Stephen. Grant this through Christ our Lord.
Eucharistic Prayer (stand)
The Lord be with you. And also with you. Lift up your hearts. We lift them up to the Lord. Let us give thanks to the Lord our God. It is right to give him thanks and praise.
Preface
Father, all-powerful and ever-living God, … join in their unending hymn of praise. Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might, heaven and earth are full of your glory. Hosanna in the highest. Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest.
Eucharistic Prayer
Let us proclaim the mystery of faith:
Christ has died, Christ is risen, Christ will come again.
Dying you destroyed our death, rising you restored our life, Lord Jesus, come in glory.
When we eat this bread and drink this cup, we proclaim your death, Lord Jesus, until you come in glory.
Lord, by your cross and resurrection you have set us free. You are the Savior of the world.
Communion Rite
Lord’s Prayer (stand)
Our Father…
…for the coming of our Savior, Jesus Christ.
For the kingdom, the power and the glory are yours, now and for ever.
Breaking of the Bread
Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world: have mercy on us.
Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world: have mercy on us.
Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world: grant us peace.
Communion (kneel)
This is the Lamb of God…
Lord, I am not worthy to receive you, but only say the word and I shall be healed.
Communion Antiphon (Acts 7:58)
As they stoned him, Stephen prayed aloud: Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.
Prayer after Communion (stand)
Let us pray…
Lord, we thank you for the many signs of your love for us. Save us by the birth of your Son and give us joy in honoring St. Stephen the martyr. We ask this through Christ our Lord.
Concluding Rite
The Lord be with you.And also with you.
Amen
Thanks be to God.
http://www.usccb.org/nab/122608.shtml
Vatican ll Weekday Missal, Pauline Books & Media www.pauline.org