The Second Day of Christmas:

Remembering and Honoring Lives Lost

On the second day of Christmas, we remember St. Stephen, the first Christian martyr. He showed great faith and courage by helping the poor and speaking the truth, even when it cost him his life. His story inspires us to live with integrity and compassion, reminding us to care for those who are overlooked or suffering.

As I walk the halls of the Cecil Hotel, I can't help but think of those who have lost their lives here, each a martyr to a broken system. Some were victims of violence or despair; others slipped through the cracks of a system that too often forgets those who struggle. Their stories, though often untold, are not so different from Stephen's—they speak of the consequences of a world that fails to see and value every person as a child of God

The Cecil is not just a place where people live—it is a place where people have died. Each life lost here is a call to action, a reminder that we are meant to serve, to love, and to advocate for justice. Like Stephen, many of the people who passed through these doors bore the weight of society's indifference. And like Stephen, their lives matter. Saints known and unknown, walking side by side.

On this second day of Christmas, I honor their memory by following Stephen's example and recommitting to acts of love and service. In their honor, I ask you to do the same, whether it’s supporting our work at the Cecil by donating or volunteering. If you’re feeding the hungry, offering a listening ear, or working for systemic change, every act of kindness has the power to bring light into the darkness.

The message of Christmas does not end at the manger—it extends into the streets, the shelters, and yes, the halls of the Cecil. It calls us to remember those who have been forgotten and to carry their stories forward with grace and courage.