Uploaded December 2025 | Updated September 2026, 1 week ago
The St. Stephen Novena is a powerful Catholic prayer for the grace to forgive, seeking the intercession of the first martyr for Christ. As a "model of perfect forgiveness," St. Stephen offers a path to peace for those struggling to forgive enemies or seeking courage to witness to Christ in times of trial. Whether you are praying this nine-day devotion for anxiety relief, spiritual strength, or to obtain a "living faith that trusts in God's providence," this petition asks for the "sacred illumination" to see beyond present sufferings to eternal glory. Join us in asking St. Stephen for the "wisdom to speak His truth with charity" and the "complete forgiveness of enemies," following the example of our Lord Jesus Christ.
*NOVENA TO ST STEPHEN* (full prayer text)
O Blessed St. Stephen, first martyr for Christ and model of perfect forgiveness, we come before you seeking your powerful intercession. You who gazed into Heaven and saw the glory of God, help us to fix our eyes always on eternal things.
O Courageous St. Stephen, you were chosen by the Apostles as a deacon filled with faith and the Holy Spirit. You preached the Gospel fearlessly and performed great miracles among the people. When faced with persecution, your face shone like an angel, and you forgave those who took your life, following the example of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Holy St. Stephen, obtain for us a living faith that trusts in God's providence, wisdom to speak His truth with charity, courage to witness to Christ in times of trial, and above all, the grace to forgive those who wrong us. Help us to keep our eyes fixed on Heaven as you did, seeing beyond our present sufferings to the glory that awaits God's faithful servants.
We ask you to intercede for us in our present needs:
(State your intention)
Pray that we may imitate your virtues - your service to the poor, your zeal for God's house, your love of truth, and your complete forgiveness of enemies.
At the hour of our death, may we, like you, commend our spirits into the hands of the Lord Jesus and receive the crown of glory promised to those who persevere in faith. Amen.
Lord Jesus Christ, You gave St. Stephen the strength to forgive his murderers and the grace to see Heaven opened at the moment of his death. Through his intercession, fill our hearts with Your divine love, that we may love our enemies, do good to those who hate us, and pray for those who persecute us. Grant us the favor we seek in this novena if it be according to Your holy will, and help us to follow You faithfully all the days of our lives. We ask this in Your Most Holy Name. Amen.
St. Stephen, First Martyr, pray for us!
*VIDEO TIMESTAMPS*
0:00 – Opening Prayer & Sign of the Cross
0:15 – Prayer for St. Stephen’s Intercession
1:08 – Petition for Living Faith and Forgiveness
1:47 – Silent Prayer: Mention Your Personal Intentions
2:27 – Closing Prayer to Lord Jesus Christ
3:11 – St. Stephen, Pray for Us
*† THE CATHOLIC CRUSADE - A Catholic Prayer Ministry †*
View our complete listing of prayer videos - bit.ly/CatholicPrayerVideos
Website, Blog & Newsletter - thecatholiccrusade.com
*Our Mission Statement*
Our mission is to foster prayer and spiritual growth within the online Catholic community. In addition to our online work, our mission provides financial support to Catholic schools and education, various national Catholic charities, local Catholic religious organizations, pro-life ministries, and local food banks, soup kitchens, and homeless shelters.
*Support of Our Mission*
Are you interested in supporting our mission? Learn more about us and how you can help - thecatholiccrusade.com/support
#StStephenNovena #GraceToForgive #TheCatholicCrusade #StStephen #FaithAndCourage
The St. Stephen Novena is a powerful Catholic prayer for the grace to forgive, seeking the intercession of the first martyr for Christ. As a "model of perfect forgiveness," St. Stephen offers a path to peace for those struggling to forgive enemies or seeking courage to witness to Christ in times of trial. Whether you are praying this nine-day devotion for anxiety relief, spiritual strength, or to obtain a "living faith that trusts in God's providence," this petition asks for the "sacred illumination" to see beyond present sufferings to eternal glory. Join us in asking St. Stephen for the "wisdom to speak His truth with charity" and the "complete forgiveness of enemies," following the example of our Lord Jesus Christ.
*NOVENA TO ST STEPHEN* (full prayer text)
O Blessed St. Stephen, first martyr for Christ and model of perfect forgiveness, we come before you seeking your powerful intercession. You who gazed into Heaven and saw the glory of God, help us to fix our eyes always on eternal things.
O Courageous St. Stephen, you were chosen by the Apostles as a deacon filled with faith and the Holy Spirit. You preached the Gospel fearlessly and performed great miracles among the people. When faced with persecution, your face shone like an angel, and you forgave those who took your life, following the example of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Holy St. Stephen, obtain for us a living faith that trusts in God's providence, wisdom to speak His truth with charity, courage to witness to Christ in times of trial, and above all, the grace to forgive those who wrong us. Help us to keep our eyes fixed on Heaven as you did, seeing beyond our present sufferings to the glory that awaits God's faithful servants.
We ask you to intercede for us in our present needs:
(State your intention)
Pray that we may imitate your virtues - your service to the poor, your zeal for God's house, your love of truth, and your complete forgiveness of enemies.
At the hour of our death, may we, like you, commend our spirits into the hands of the Lord Jesus and receive the crown of glory promised to those who persevere in faith. Amen.
Lord Jesus Christ, You gave St. Stephen the strength to forgive his murderers and the grace to see Heaven opened at the moment of his death. Through his intercession, fill our hearts with Your divine love, that we may love our enemies, do good to those who hate us, and pray for those who persecute us. Grant us the favor we seek in this novena if it be according to Your holy will, and help us to follow You faithfully all the days of our lives. We ask this in Your Most Holy Name. Amen.
St. Stephen, First Martyr, pray for us!
*VIDEO TIMESTAMPS*
0:00 – Opening Prayer & Sign of the Cross
0:15 – Prayer for St. Stephen’s Intercession
1:08 – Petition for Living Faith and Forgiveness
1:47 – Silent Prayer: Mention Your Personal Intentions
2:27 – Closing Prayer to Lord Jesus Christ
3:11 – St. Stephen, Pray for Us
*† THE CATHOLIC CRUSADE - A Catholic Prayer Ministry †*
View our complete listing of prayer videos - bit.ly/CatholicPrayerVideos
Website, Blog & Newsletter - thecatholiccrusade.com
*Our Mission Statement*
Our mission is to foster prayer and spiritual growth within the online Catholic community. In addition to our online work, our mission provides financial support to Catholic schools and education, various national Catholic charities, local Catholic religious organizations, pro-life ministries, and local food banks, soup kitchens, and homeless shelters.
*Support of Our Mission*
Are you interested in supporting our mission? Learn more about us and how you can help - thecatholiccrusade.com/support
#StStephenNovena #GraceToForgive #TheCatholicCrusade #StStephen #FaithAndCourage
