Our alabaster St. Stephen Patron of Deacons Bookends depicts the first disciple of Christ to give up his life as a martyr and includes a prayer for Deacons. Keeping heavy books in line, they both organize and decorate your home. This pair of bookends makes the perfect personal gift to the Deacon in your family.

St. Stephen's story is proclaimed in the Acts of the Apostles: he was chosen for a service of charity to help the Apostles aid the poor and widowed and gave himself fully to this mission. He is said to have spoken with "wisdom and the Spirit" so that those who heard him were unable to disagree. However, those against Christ falsely turned him in for blasphemy and stoned him. While being so cruelly wounded, this Saint gazed into Heaven and asked the Lord to "receive his spirit." May men called to this special role as servant find their inspiration and courage through the first martyr's witness of love for God.

The bookends are made from stone-cast alabaster here in our shop in Steubenville, Ohio. Alabaster is a building and decorating material created from the mineral gypsum that has been used since the time of the ancient Egyptian Pharaohs. It boasts an attractive smooth finish and will last for years to come.

Each measures roughly 6" x 8", including the 4"x 6" inset image plaque, and is 3" deep.

Text reads:

"O God, Father of us all, look with favor upon those whom You have called to the sacred and ancient ministry of the diaconate. Through the intercession of St. Stephen, grant grace to Your deacons as they minister in charity to the poor, proclaim the Holy Gospel at Mass, and assist Your priests at the altar. Keep close to Your heart, Lord the wives and children of permanent deacons, and grant that the witness of their husbands and fathers may bring about holiness and virtue in each family member. We ask this through Jesus Christ who is Lord forever and ever. Amen."

(BKE-489)