Catholic Calendar Guide

FeastRedChristmas

Rank

A feast is a major celebration, often dedicated to the Lord, the Apostles, or saints of wide importance in the life of the Church.

Liturgical color

The liturgical color for this observance is Red. Martyrdom, the Holy Spirit, and the Passion of the Lord.

Season

The Christmas season celebrates the Incarnation of the Lord from Christmas through the Baptism of the Lord.

Week in the year

Christmas season

Why this day matters

Saint Stephen is remembered immediately after Christmas as the first martyr who bore witness to Christ even unto death.

Saint Stephen, the First Martyr is observed on Saturday, December 26, 2026 in the Christmas season. It is kept as a feast with the liturgical color Red. Saint Stephen is remembered immediately after Christmas as the first martyr who bore witness to Christ even unto death. Saints: Saint Stephen.

Saints connected with this date

Saint Stephen

Plan local worship

Need to find a parish for this celebration?

Use the parish finder to search your area and confirm local Mass times, confession schedules, and parish details for Saint Stephen, the First Martyr.

Daily readings

Daily readings for Saturday, December 26, 2026

Christmas readings dwell on the mystery of the Incarnation, divine sonship, and the manifestation of the Lord.

What to expect: Expect a First Reading, Responsorial Psalm, Gospel acclamation, and Gospel, with local or optional variations in some cases.

Use the linked official readings page for the approved lectionary texts and any local options or variations.

Browse readings archive

Mass guide

Mass guide for Saturday, December 26, 2026

Mass type

Feast Mass. Feasts are more festive than ordinary weekdays and often use proper prayers and readings that bring the mystery or saint of the day into clearer focus.

Obligation note

This day is ordinarily observed within the weekday Mass cycle unless local custom, parish schedule, or local law gives it a different pastoral weight.

What to expect

You can usually expect a simpler weekday form of Mass, with Scripture readings, a homily where customary, and seasonal or proper prayers.

How to follow the Mass

Opening rites

Mass begins with the entrance, greeting, penitential act, and opening prayer. On more festive days, the Gloria may also be included.

Liturgy of the Word

Listen for the Scripture readings appointed for the day, the Psalm, Gospel acclamation, Gospel, and the homily where it is given.

Liturgy of the Eucharist

The gifts are prepared, the Eucharistic Prayer is prayed, and the congregation joins in the Holy, Holy, Holy, the memorial acclamation, and the Great Amen.

Communion and dismissal

After the Lord’s Prayer, sign of peace, and Lamb of God, Communion is distributed. Mass ends with the final blessing and dismissal.

Postures and responses

Stand, sit, and kneel according to local custom and parish direction. Join the spoken and sung responses as you are able; posture details can vary somewhat by country and diocese.

Local music, ceremonial detail, posture, and holy day obligation can vary somewhat by country, diocese, and parish. Use this guide as a practical orientation, then follow the parish’s actual celebration.

Scope and caution

This guide is built around the universal Roman Catholic calendar for practical reference. Local episcopal conferences, dioceses, and ritual traditions may observe some dates differently.

SolemnityWhite

Friday, December 25, 2026

Nativity of the Lord

Christmas celebrates the birth of Jesus Christ, the Word made flesh and Savior of the world.

Christmas•Christmas season

FeastWhite

Sunday, December 27, 2026

Saint John, Apostle and Evangelist

Saint John is celebrated as apostle, evangelist, and theological witness to the mystery of Christ.

Christmas•Christmas season•Saint John