Saints celebrated on the 2nd of June
SAINT STEPHEN, BISHOP OF HELSINGBORG
Saint Stephen (Stephanus, also known as Simon), Bishop, planted Christianity on the lovely banks of the Sund and was the first Bishop of Helsingborg (Helsinga). (The town of Birka, where Saint Ansgar had built the first church around 840, was perhaps already destroyed at that time.) With the Catholic faith, good manners and culture also moved into the country.
The year of the saint's birth and youth are unknown. The only thing we know about his earlier years is that he was trained at Corvey. His work as a missionary is described as very successful. But when he ventured to Upsala, he died a martyr there and from then onwards continued his work for the conversion of the Swedes from heaven. He was buried in Nora, miracles occurred at his grave. His glorious death happened in the 9th century. Stephen is not listed in the Proprium of Sweden, nor in the Roman Martyrology*. His feast day is celebrated on June 2 and May 6 (I. 231–235 and Strunck, I. 98–102).
(Information from Stadler's Complete Encyclopedia of Saints, Volume 5, Augsburg, 1882, pp. 369-70)
*A hagiography source used by the authors
Stadler's Complete Encyclopedia of Saints - Sources and Abbreviations
PRAYER:
Grant, we beseech you, almighty God, that the venerable feast of Saint Stephen may increase our devotion and promote our salvation. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, for ever and ever. Amen.
Sources of these articles (in the original German): books.google.co.uk, de-academic.com, zeno.org, openlibrary.org
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