Antiphon. The Apostles chose the Levite Stephen, full of faith and the Holy Spirit, whom the Jews stoned while he prayed, saying: Lord Jesus, receive my spirit, and lay not this sin to their charge. V. By the merits and prayers of the blessed Stephen. R. Be merciful, O Lord, to thy people. Prayer. Almighty and everlasting God, who didst consecrate the first fruits of the Martyrs in the blood of the blessed Levite Stephen, grant, we beseech Thee, that he may become our advocate, who even for his persecutors besought our Lord, thy Son Jesus Christ, who liveth and reigneth world without end. Amen.