December

Proper of Saints

December
Date Celebration Rank
Date Celebration Rank
3 St Francis Xavier, Priest memorial
4 St John Damascene, Priest, Doctor of the Church
6 St Nicholas, Bishop
7 St Ambrose, Bishop, Doctor of the Church memorial
8 The Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary solemnity
9 St John Diego Cuahtlatoatzin
11 St Damasus I, Pope
12 Our Lady of Guadalupe
13 St Lucy, Virgin, Martyr memorial
14 St John of the Cross, Priest, Doctor of the Church memorial
21 St Peter Canisius, Priest, Doctor of the Church
23 St John of Kanty, Priest
25 The Nativity of the Lord solemnity
26 St Stephen, the first Martyr feast
27 St John, Apostle, Evangelist feast
28 The Holy Innocents, Martyrs feast
29 St Thomas Becket, Bishop, Martyr
31 St Sylvester I, Pope

26 December — St Stephen, the first martyr

feast

The feast of St Stephen, who was martyred in Jerusalem about 35, has been celebrated on this day since the fourth century. A Greek-speaking Jew, Stephen was one of seven appointed by the apostles for special service (diakonia). He died confessing Christ and seeking divine mercy for those who were stoning him. Named in the Roman Canon (Eucharistic Prayer I), he is remembered for preaching with wisdom and the Spirit (Acts 6:10), as one ‘full of grace and power’ who ‘did great wonders and signs among the people’ (Acts 6:8).

Colour
Red
Mass
Proper
Gloria
Preface of Christmas I–III and Christmas insert for EP I
Office
MP Proper
EP as on Christmas Day with proper texts
NP Sunday
Reading 1 Acts 6:8–10; 7:54–59 I can see heaven thrown open.
Psalm Ps 30: 3–4. 6. 7. 16–17 r. 6 Into your hands, O Lord, I commend my spirit.
Gospel Acclamation Ps 117:26–27 Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord;
Gospel Matthew 10:17–22 It is not you who will be speaking; the Spirit of your Father will be speaking in you.

27 December — St John, Apostle and Evangelist

feast

St John was a first-century Galilean fisherman, son of Zebedee, who, with his brother James, left their nets to follow Jesus. With Peter, these ‘sons of thunder’ form an inner group among the twelve, and John is probably the ‘disciple whom Jesus loved’ of the Fourth Gospel. According to ancient tradition, he is the author of this Gospel and also of three letters and the book of Revelation. He is remembered for his contemplative reflection on the life and death of Jesus and for his emphasis on Christian love.

Colour
White
Mass
Proper
Gloria
Preface of Christmas I–III and Christmas insert for EP I
Office
MP Proper
EP as on Christmas Day with proper texts
NP Sunday
Reading 1 1 John 1:1–4 What we have seen and heard from the beginning.
Psalm Ps 96: 1–2. 5–6. 11–12 r. 12 Rejoice, you just, in the Lord.
Gospel Acclamation [Te Deum] We praise you, O God, we acknowledge you to be the Lord.
The glorious company of the apostles praise you, O Lord.
Gospel John 20: 2–8 The other disciple, running faster than Peter, reached the tomb first.

28 December — The Holy Innocents

feast

In an attempt to kill the child Jesus, Herod ordered the massacre of all male children, two years old and under, in and around Bethlehem. The Holy Innocents have been honoured as martyrs for Christ since the fourth century and their feast has been celebrated on this day since the sixth century. In remembering them, the Church laments the suffering and death of children everywhere and honours all who die in innocence.

Colour
Red
Mass
Proper
Gloria
Creed
Preface of Christmas I–III and Christmas insert for EP I
Office
MP Proper
EP as on Christmas Day with proper texts
NP Sunday
Reading 1 1 John 1:5 – 2:2 The blood of Jesus Christ purifies us from all sin.
Psalm Ps 123: 2–5. 7–8 r.7 Our life, like bird, has escaped from the snare of the fowler.
Gospel Acclamation [Te Deum] We praise you, O God, we acknowledge you to be the Lord.
The noble army of martyrs praise you, O Lord.
Gospel Matthew 2:13–18 In Bethlehem Herod had all the male children killed.