Daily readings

Saturday, December 26, 2026

Saint Stephen, The First Martyr. Christmas. Read the day's readings in one place for prayer, preparation, or quiet reflection.

CelebrationSaint Stephen, The First Martyr

TypeFeast

SeasonChristmas

Year2026 archive

The Roman Catholic readings for this date are shown below on-site. Use plain reading mode if you want clearer modern wording, or switch back to the original Douay-Rheims wording at any time.

Reading mode

Plain mode helps modern readers follow the text more easily.

The on-site reading text is drawn from public-domain Douay-Rheims sources. Plain mode is a built-in reading aid that modernizes older wording for easier understanding while keeping the same Roman Catholic reading references for the day.

What are the Mass readings for Saturday December 26, 2026?

The Catholic Mass readings for Saturday December 26, 2026 are gathered on this page in their proper order: first reading Acts 6:8-10; 7:54-59, psalm Psalm 31:3cd-4, 6 and 8ab, 16bc and 17, no second reading is appointed for this Mass,and Gospel Matthew 10:17-22.

What is the Gospel for Saturday December 26, 2026?

The Gospel for Saturday December 26, 2026 is Matthew 10:17-22. It appears below with the rest of the day's Catholic readings.

What is the Psalm for Saturday December 26, 2026?

The psalm for Saturday December 26, 2026 is Psalm 31:3cd-4, 6 and 8ab, 16bc and 17. It is included below in the same reading order used at Mass, between the first reading and the Gospel.

Are these the USCCB daily readings for Saturday December 26, 2026?

The same day's Catholic readings are gathered here on-site, with the official readings link available below in the source note.

1

First Reading

Acts 6:8-10; 7:54-59

How to approach it

Read this as the first big movement of the day. Notice what God is doing, who is speaking, and what part of the story or teaching should stay with you.

6:8And Stephen, full of grace and courage, did great wonders and signs among the people.

9Now 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, arguing with Stephen.

10And they were not able to resist the wisdom and the spirit that spoke.

7:54Now hearing these things, they were cut to the heart, and they gnashed with their teeth at him.

55But 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. And he said: Look, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of Man standing on the right hand of God.

56And they crying out with a loud voice, stopped their ears, and with one accord ran violently upon him.

57And casting him forth without the city, they stoned him; and the witnesses laid down their garments at the feet of a young man, whose name was Saul.

58And they stoned Stephen, invoking, and saying: Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.

59And falling on his knees, he cried with a loud voice, saying: Lord, lay not this sin to their charge. And when he had said this, he fell asleep in the Lord. And Saul was consenting to his death.

2

Psalm

Psalm 31:3cd-4, 6 and 8ab, 16bc and 17

How to pray it

The psalm is meant to be prayed, not rushed. If the wording feels older, focus on the main movement of the prayer: trust, praise, sorrow, gratitude, or hope.

31:3Bow down your ear to me: hurry to deliver me. Be for me a God, a protector, and a house of refuge, to save me.

4For you are my strength and my refuge; and for your name's sake you will lead me, and nourish me.

6Into your hands I commend my spirit: you have redeemed me, O Lord, the God of truth.

8I will be glad and rejoice in your mercy. For you have seen my lowliness, you have saved my soul out of troubles.

16My lots are in your hands. Deliver me out of the hands of my enemies; and from them that persecute me.

17Make your face to shine upon your servant; save me in your mercy.

3

Gospel

Matthew 10:17-22

What to watch for

The Gospel is the center of the reading set. Pay close attention to what Jesus says, what Jesus does, and what response he is asking for.

10:17But beware of men. For they will deliver you up in councils, and they will scourge you in their synagogues.

18And you shall be brought before governors, and before kings for my sake, for a teaching to them and to the Gentiles:

19But when they shall deliver you up, take no thought how or what to speak: for it shall be given you in that hour what to speak.

20For it is not you that speak, but the Spirit of your Father that speaketh in you.

21The brother also shall deliver up the brother to death, and the father the son: and the children shall rise up against their parents, and shall put them to death.

22And you shall be hated by all men for my name's sake: but the one who will persevere to the end, he shall be saved.

How the readings move through Mass today

The Liturgy of the Word normally moves from the first reading to the psalm, then to the second reading when one is appointed, then to the Gospel, and then into the homily. On weekday Masses, the second reading is often omitted, so the Church moves from the psalm directly to the Gospel.

1

First Reading

Acts 6:8-10; 7:54-59

The first reading is usually taken from the Old Testament. It prepares the heart to hear how God has been acting through his covenant and promises.

2

Psalm

Psalm 31:3cd-4, 6 and 8ab, 16bc and 17

The psalm is the Church’s prayerful response to the first reading. It helps the congregation answer God’s word with trust, praise, repentance, or hope.

3

Second Reading

Usually omitted today

There is no second reading at many weekday Masses. On days like this, the liturgy moves from the psalm directly to the Gospel.

4

Gospel

Matthew 10:17-22

The Gospel is the high point of the Liturgy of the Word. Catholics stand because Christ himself speaks to his people in a special way through the Gospel proclamation.

5

Homily

After the Gospel

The homily follows the Gospel. It should gather the day’s readings together, explain the mystery being celebrated, and help people carry the word of God into ordinary life.

What the homily usually draws together

A Catholic homily usually gathers the first reading, the psalm, and the Gospel into one spiritual movement. It may explain how the Old Testament prepares for Christ, how the apostles witness to the risen Lord, how the psalm teaches the Church to pray, and how the Gospel calls for faith and conversion now.

If you are preparing before Mass, try to carry one sentence, one image, or one invitation from the readings with you. That usually makes the homily easier to follow because you already know what part of God's word has stayed with you.

What about the Prayers of the Faithful for Saturday December 26, 2026?

The Prayers of the Faithful are usually written locally by a parish, diocese, or celebrant, so there is not always one universal text for this exact day. The scriptural readings above are the stable part the whole Church receives, and they usually shape the petitions that follow at Mass.

Source note

The day's references and liturgical celebration data come from the Catholic Readings API, while the on-site scripture text is rendered from public-domain Douay-Rheims sources so the day's readings can be read directly on the page.