Saintly Saturday - St. Charles Lwanga & Companions

 


June 3 is the feast day of St. Charles Lwanga & his companions. They were 22 martyrs from Uganda.

Charles was born on January 1, 1860. He was a member of the Baganda tribe in Uganda & became a leader of royal pages. Later, he became chief steward in King Mwanga II's court. While leading the pages, he taught them the Catholic Faith, inspiring them to live the virtues of chastity & faithfulness.

Between the years of 1855 & 1887, King Mwanga tried to force Christians to abandon their faith. He also wanted them to give in to his sexual demands. Charles protected his fellow pages from these homosexual advances while they were imprisoned. Angered by their refusals, King Mwanga ordered them all to be executed. Charles was burned alive on June 3, 1886.

Pope Paul VI canonized Charles & his companions on October 18, 1964 & we celebrate their feast day on June 3. Charles is the patron saint of Catholic youth, African Catholic Youth Action, converts, & torture victims.

Below is a timeline I found online that includes the names & a photo of these Ugandan martyrs.


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