Sts. Charles Lwanga, Joseph Mkasa, Martyrs of Uganda
In the interior of central Africa the first Catholic missions were established by Cardinal Lavigerie's White Fathers in In Uganda some progress was made under the not unfriendly local ruler, Mtesa; but his successor, Mwanga, determined to root out Christianity among his people, especially after a Catholic subject, St. Joseph Mkasa, reproached him for his debauchery and for his massacre of the Protestant missionary James Hannington and his caravan. Mwanga was addicted to unnatural vice and his anger against Christianity, already kindled by ambitious officers who played on his fears, was kept alight by the refusal of Christian boys in his service to minister to his wickedness.
Joseph Mkasa himself was the first victim: Mwanga. seized on a trifling pretext and on November 15, , had him beheaded. To the chieftain's astonishment the Christians were not cowed by this sudden outrage, and in May of the following year the storm burst. When he called for a young 'page' called Mwafu, Mwanga learned that he had been receiving religious instruction from another page, St. Denis Sebuggwawo; Denis was sent for, and the king thrust a spear t
St. Charles Lwanga and companions, the 22 Ugandan martyrs
The week leading up to June 3, Catholic faithful from dioceses in Uganda and surrounding countries begin long journeys to the shrine of the martyrs St. Charles Lwanga and his 22 male companions. Walking miles in muddy roads through summer rain and cool evening weather, the pilgrims prepare themselves to celebrate the witness of the martyrs, who willingly died for their faith, their love of God and His commandments.
The martyrs&#; shrine, a minor basilica, is built on top of the site of their death in Namugungo, Uganda. It is built in the traditional style of a hut and the wooden doors are carved to tell the story of the 22 martyrs who gave their life for the faith. — Provided by Jessica Keating
Charles Lwanga was a year-old page in the royal court of the king of Buganda, in the southern part of modern-day Uganda. Christianity had recently been brought to the area, in , by the Society of Missionaries of Africa, or “White Fathers” — a congregation of priests founded by Cardinal Lavigerie. King Mutesa welcomed the missionaries and before long, a number converted and were baptized, most prominently some of the young pa
Saint Charles Lwanga and Companions
Image: Stained glass of Saint Charles Lwanga | photo by Rachel Strohm
Saint of the Day for June 3
(d. between November 15, – January 27, )
Saint Charles Lwanga and Companions’ Story
One of 22 Ugandan martyrs, Charles Lwanga is the patron of youth and Catholic action in most of tropical Africa. He protected his fellow pages, aged 13 to 30, from the sexual demands of the Bagandan ruler, Mwanga, and encouraged and instructed them in the Catholic faith during their imprisonment for refusing the ruler’s demands.
Charles first learned of Christ’s teachings from two retainers in the court of Chief Mawulugungu. While a catechumen, he entered the royal household as assistant to Joseph Mukaso, head of the court pages.
On the night of Mukaso’s martyrdom for encouraging the African youths to resist Mwanga, Charles requested and received baptism. Imprisoned with his friends, Charles’ courage and belief in God inspired them to remain chaste and faithful.
For his own unwillingness to submit to the immoral acts and his efforts to safeguard the faith of his friends, Charles was burned to death at Namugongo on June 3, , by Mwanga’s order.
When Pope
Lwanga, Charles (B)
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Catholic Church
Uganda
Muganda Catholic Martyr. He was probably born in Buddu c. , but little is known of his parentage. By birth he belonged to the Ngabi (bushbuck) clan, but members of this clan were not allowed at court by reason of their royal connection, so there he passed as a member of the Ngeye (colobus monkey) clan, the clan of his former master. He spent his early years at Kalokere in Buddu. In he entered the service of Mawulugungu, chief of Kirwayi. In this chief was transferred to Kitesa in Ssingo, and Lwanga accompanied him. In he accompanied his master on an official visit to the court to give thanks to the Kabaka for his chiefdom. Lwanga’s first interest in Christianity was aroused by some of his fellow pages who began to attend instruction classes when they visited the capital with gifts from Mawulugungu to the Kabaka. Mawulugungu died in and Lwanga went to Kitanda in Bulemezi where he joined a group of newly-baptized Catholics. On the accession of Mwanga in Lwanga entered his service and became head of the pages serving in the audience hall
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