When Christianity first came to Uganda in 1885, Saint Charles Lwanga, a royal page, was baptized and became a catechist. When a new, anti-Christian king took the throne, Saint Charles was appointed head page, and found himself defending the younger boys from the king's impure intentions.
One night, the king had all of the entrances to his royal compound sealed. Saint Charles and the other Christians knew that they would soon be arrested. That night, Saint Charles baptized four of his catechism students including a 13 year old boy.
The next day, the king had fifteen men and boys arrested. He asked them to deny their Christian faith, but they all refused. Saint Charles and the other Christian pages were marched 37 miles away to the place of their martyrdom. One of these boys was the son of the chief executioner. Witnesses who saw these Christian martyrs on the journey were amazed by their cheerfulness and bravery.
In addition to the original fifteen Christians, a soldier, a chief, a judge, and others were added making the total number of martyrs 22. The condemned men and boys were singing and laughing, because they knew they were not made for this earth. They were burned alive, still cheerfully professing their faith.
Shortly after their deaths, the Christian priests and missionaries were forced to leave Uganda. The Christian converts they left behind continued to spread the Word of God. When the priests returned after the evil king’s death, they found over 500 Christians and 1000 Catechumens waiting for them, all converts because of the witness of Saint Charles Lwanga and his companion martyrs.
Saint Charles Lwanga is the patron saint of African Catholic Youth Action, victims of torture, and converts. Saint Charles Lwanga protected the young people in his care. May Saint Charles Lwanga help us to always protect the innocent and vulnerable people in our lives. Let us follow his example and share the good news of Jesus Christ with others. Saint Charles Lwanga’s bravery and joyfulness while facing death is an inspiration to us, a reminder that death is not the end. He knew that Christ conquered death and prepared a place for us in Heaven.