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The Third Glorious Mystery - The Descent of the Holy Ghost

CHAPTER 7

Saint Stephen's Martyrdom

And the word of the Lord increased, and the number of the disciples was multiplied in Jerusalem
exceedingly. And
Stephen, full of grace and fortitude, did great wonders and signs among the people.

Now there arose some of that which is called the synagogue of the Libertines, and of the Cyrenians,
and of the Alexandrians, and of them that were of Cilicia and Asia, disputing with Stephen. And
they were not able to resist the wisdom and the spirit that spoke.

Then they suborned men to say that they had heard him speak words of blasphemy against Moses and
against God. And they stirred up the people, and the ancients, and the scribes; and running
together, they took him, and brought him to the council.

And they set up false witnesses, who said: "This man ceaseth not to speak words against the holy
place and the law. For we have heard him say, that this Jesus of Nazareth shall destroy this place,
and shall change the traditions which Moses delivered unto us."
And all that sat in the council, looking on him, saw his face as if it had been the face of an angel.

Then the high priest said: "Are these things so?" [And Stephen] said: "You stiffnecked and
uncircumcised in heart and ears, you always resist the Holy Ghost. As your fathers did, so do you
also. Which of the prophets have not your fathers persecuted? And they have slain them who foretold
of the coming of the Just One, of Whom you have been now the betrayers and murderers; who have
received the law by the disposition of angels, and have not kept it."

Now hearing these things, they were cut to the heart, and they gnashed with their teeth at him. But
he, being full of the Holy Ghost, looking up steadfastly to Heaven, saw the glory of God,
and Jesus standing on the right hand of God.