d. 1886
Saint Charles Lwanga, d. 1886
June 3
Saint Charles Lwanga was a young servant in the king’s court in Uganda. The king hated Christians. He commanded his servants to join in immoral activities. Charles refused, choosing to follow his conscience and obey God, not the king. Charles and twenty-one other Christians were tortured before they were executed in an effort to get them to do what the king wanted. As Charles was dying, he prayed aloud and said that he knew he was going to Heaven. Charles and his companions are known as the African Martyrs.
Discuss: Tell about a time when you followed your conscience.
Saint Charles Lwanga was a young servant in the king’s court in Uganda. The king hated Christians. He commanded his servants to join in immoral activities. Charles refused, choosing to follow his conscience and obey God, not the king. Charles and twenty-one other Christians were tortured before they were executed in an effort to get them to do what the king wanted. As Charles was dying, he prayed aloud and said that he knew he was going to Heaven. Charles and his companions are known as the African Martyrs.
Charles is the patron Saint of African Catholic Youth Action, converts, and victims of torture. Twenty-one other martyrs died with Saint Charles. A shrine was built in their honor in Namugongo, Uganda, and is now known as the Basilica of the Ugandan Martyrs. Pope Saint John Paul II visited the shrine in 1993, and Pope Francis led an outdoor Mass there in 2015.
Activity
Martyrs
Verbal/Linguistic
Have the child research and define the word "martyr."