Uganda only began to be evangelized in the early to mid-1800s by the Society of Missionaries of Africa, known as the White Fathers because of the white cassock they wore. The earliest converts were soon preaching the Gospel in places inaccessible to the White Fathers. Charles Lwanga one of the early converts, was a servant in the royal court of the Ugandan king, King Mwanga, who ruled in the south eastern part of the country.
Mwanga was a violent ruler and a pedophile who forced himself on the young boys and young men who served him. Many of the boys converted to Christianity and began refusing the advances of the King. This made the King suspicious, believing that if his subjects continued to convert, he would eventually lose his throne to the Christians.
So, he gathered up the Christian, and demanded that they renounce Christ. When they refused he had them killed. King Mwanga thought that killing Christians would break our resolve. But the faith was strengthened.
Charles Lwanga was installed as director of the king’s boy-servants, but little did the King know that Charles, inspired by those already martyred, had been baptized. Charles preached the Gospel within the king’s court and continued to make more converts. Realizing how the faith had continued to spread, the king arrested Charles and the other Christians and sentenced them to death. This time, he wanted their death to be excruciating in an attempt to warn others against converting. Charles and his companions were marched two days, starved and beaten, then stripped, bound, and burnt to death on the 3rd day of June, 1886.
As he burned, St. Charles preached to his killers, saying, “It is as if you have thrown water on me. Please repent, and be a Christian like me.”
Charles’ death shook the country, and instead of throwing other Christians into panic, in inspired many unconverted Ugandans to become Christian.
The martyrs remind us of our calling to witness to Christ even in the face of the hatred of the world. Some will continue to hate us, but others will convert, like Charles himself. Today, Catholics make up about 37% of the population of Uganda: 17 million Catholics who can trace their faith back to the courageous witness of the St. Charles Lwanga and his martyred companions.
Their witness certainly challenges us to consider how we use our time, whether or not we have been shirking our responsibility to witness to Christ, whether we have fearfully sealed our lips when we were meant to speak, if we have hidden in the comfort of our homes, when we were meant to be in the world preaching, or at least supporting the evangelizing mission with our prayers and talents.
May St. Charles Lwanga and his martyred companions pray for us and teach us how to live our Christian vocation well and with Courage for the glory of God and the salvation of souls.
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Trusting in the God who strengthens his people to witness to Christ, let us bring our petitions before the Lord.
For the Church throughout the world—that, inspired by the courage of the martyrs, she may proclaim the Gospel with clarity and charity even when it is costly.
For missionaries and catechists, especially in places where the faith is newly planted or faces opposition—that the Spirit will confirm them in hope and draw many hearts to Christ through their witness. Let us pray to the Lord.
For young people and all entrusted to the care of mentors and educators—that, under the patronage of Saint Charles Lwanga, they may grow in purity, integrity, and a joyful readiness to follow Christ. Let us pray to the Lord.
For children, adolescents, and vulnerable adults suffering exploitation, abuse, or trafficking—that God deliver them from harm, heal their wounds, and convert the hearts of those who abuse power. Let us pray to the Lord.
For our parish—that we reject complacency, use our gifts for evangelization, and support missionary efforts through prayer, sacrifice, and action. Let us pray to the Lord.
For the sick, the poor, the imprisoned, and those weighed down by fear or sorrow—that Christ, who walked the road of suffering, may raise them up with healing and hope. Let us pray to the Lord.
For our departed brothers and sisters—especially those who died for their fidelity to Christ—may they rejoice forever in the company of the martyrs before God’s throne. Let us pray to the Lord.
God of all nations, You kindled an unshakable faith in Saint Charles Lwanga and his companions. Hear the prayers of Your people, and grant that we, like them, may bear fearless witness to Your Son, who lives and reigns for ever and ever.
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