Giussani on St. Stephen: Martyrdom as Affection for Christ | Stephen G. Adubato:

Giussani on St. Stephen: Martyrdom as Affection for Christ | Stephen G. Adubato: Giussani claims that Stephen’s renunciation of his own life was, more than anything, a means to affirm his “friendship with Christ.” Moved less so by a sense of honor or duty, and more so by affection for a Person, a Presence, Stephen’s martyrdom “indicates to us his impassioned devotion to the Lord Jesus.”