Many people have given their lives to defend the Catholic faith, but do you know the story of the first?

Saint Stephen is a prominent figure in the Book of Acts, where you can read his inspiring story. Stephen did everything in his power to live like Jesus—preaching, spreading the faith, and performing amazing signs and wonders. Eventually his witness of faith got him into trouble. He was arrested and stoned for blasphemy. As the men surrounded him with stones, Stephen cried out in imitation of Jesus on the Cross: “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit” (Acts 7:59). And before he died, he made sure to forgive his murderers, just as Jesus did, saying, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them” (Acts 7:60). Stephen didn’t just live like Jesus—he died like Jesus too. It is fitting that he is recognized as the first martyr in Catholic tradition.

As Catholics, we are all called to imitate Jesus in our own ways. The ways we imitate Jesus can be big or small, public or private, universal or deeply personal. Imitating Jesus is a life-long and life-changing endeavor.

You cannot become more like Jesus and at the same time stay as you are. To be Catholic means to be striving to live the Gospel, to be striving to become more like Jesus. It is this dynamic approach to transformation that animates the human person—physically, emotionally, intellectually, and spiritually—and allows us to experience life “to the fullest.” (John 10:10) God constantly calls us to new life. He continually invites us to higher and deeper places. He continually invites us to imitate Jesus in new and exciting ways. 

But it is impossible to imitate someone you do not know. We come to know Jesus in the Scriptures, in the Sacraments, and through so many different people and places. 

You can learn to imitate Jesus by stepping into the classroom of silence every day for ten minutes. You can learn to imitate him by praying the Rosary. You can read five pages a day from a great spiritual book. You can give generously. You can study the lives of the saints. You can give food to the hungry. You can serve the poor. You can love your family. You can forgive. 

Saint Stephen learned to imitate Jesus in ways big and small, one moment at a time, even to the moment of his death. How is Jesus inviting you to imitate him today?



Feast Day: December 26

Feast Day Shared By: Saint Vincenta Lopez and Saint Dionysius

Patron Saint of: Bricklayers, Altar Servers, Casket Makers, Headaches, Deacons, and Stonemasons

Also Known As: The First Martyr 

Symbols: Stones