Saint John, Apostle, EvangelistOffice of Readings | Morning Prayer | Evening Prayer | Night Prayer | MassSt John the Evangelist

James and John, the sons of Zebedee, were nicknamed by Jesus “the sons of thunder.” John is involved in many of the central events of Jesus’ life, including the Transfiguration, the Crucifixion, and the discovery of the Resurrection. He is “the disciple whom Jesus loved” and the one to whom he confided the care of his mother Mary.He is mentioned in the Acts of the Apostles; later he was exiled to the island of Patmos. He is said to have died at Ephesus.He wrote a Gospel, three Epistles, and the Apocalypse. See the article in the Catholic Encyclopaedia.

Saint Stephen, the first MartyrOffice of Readings | Morning Prayer | Evening Prayer | Night Prayer | MassSt Stephen, the first Martyr

Stephen is the first martyr. He was one of the deacons appointed by the Apostles to organize the distribution of food to the poor. He performed many miracles and confounded the Jews in disputation. They fabricated false charges against him. At his trial he preached the risen Christ to them, so they stoned him to death. He prayed for his persecutors as he was dying. One of them, Saul of Tarsus, who was looking after the cloaks of the stone-throwers, was later converted and became the great missionary St Paul.See the articles in the Catholic Encyclopaedia and Wikipedia.

Christmas DayOffice of Readings | Morning Prayer | Evening Prayer | Night Prayer | MassChristmas Day