Saint/s of the Day – 3 June – Uganda Martyrs or St Charles Lwanga & Companions

Saint/s of the Day – 3 June – Uganda Martyrs or St Charles Lwanga & Companions – Martyrs – Their names are: • Achileo Kiwanuka • Adolofu Mukasa Ludigo
• Ambrosio Kibuuka • Anatoli Kiriggwajjo
• Anderea Kaggwa • Antanansio Bazzekuketta
• Bruno Sserunkuuma • Charles Lwanga
• Denis Ssebuggwawo • Gonzaga Gonza
• Gyavire • James Buzabaliao
• John Maria Muzeyi • Joseph Mukasa
• Kizito • Lukka Baanabakintu
• Matiya Mulumba • Mbaga Tuzinde
• Mugagga • Mukasa Kiriwawanvu
• Nowa Mawaggali • Ponsiano Ngondwe
They were canonised on 18 October 1964 by Pope Paul VI at Rome, Italy.   Patrons of Uganda and the Archdiocese of Accra, Ghana

All martyrs’ stories are inspiring, but the martyrdom of young people really makes us think.

By 1879 the first Catholic missions were started in Uganda and other parts of Central Africa.   Under King Mtesa missionaries preached, people studied the faith and many believed in Jesus.   Unfortunately King Mtesa was succeeded by King Mwanga, who began persecuting the Christians in Uganda.

Charles Lwanga was a young man, probably in his late teens, who was a page in the court of King Mwanga.   After Mkasa, the Christian master of the court pages, criticised the king for his immoral acts and for murdering a group of missionaries, the king had him beheaded.   On the same night Mkasa was martyred, Charles, a catechumen, was baptised.   Charles replaced Mkasa as head of the pages and continued to encourage the young men to refuse to take part in the pagan customs of the country.   Later a young page refused to become involved in the king’s immoral acts and confessed that a page named Denis was instructing him to be a Christian.   This angered the king so much that he sent for Denis and thrust a spear through his throat.   Then Mwanga summoned all the pages and separated the Christian pages from the rest.   He commanded his soldiers to kill Charles Lwanga and his friends.   Most of the pages were under the age of twenty-five.   The youngest was thirteen years old.

In prison Charles inspired the others to be courageous and faithful.   The boys were executed thirty-seven miles away.   Three were killed on the road.   Charles was burned alive.   The others met the same fate or were beheaded. They prayed and sang enthusiastically at their deaths.

After their deaths, many other Christians were persecuted and killed. The example of these teenagers and men inspired other people, and in Africa the faith grew and spread. It has refused to die.

Uganda Martyrs pray for us all, especially for Africa!