Saint Charles Lwanga was one of 22 Ugandan martyrs who converted from paganism. Though he was baptized the night before being put to death, he became a moral leader. He was the chief of the royal pages and was considered the strongest athlete of the court. He was also known as “the most handsome man of the Kingdom of the Uganda.” He instructed his friends in the Catholic Faith and he personally baptized boy pages. He inspired and encouraged his companions to remain chaste and faithful. He protected his companions, ages 13-30, from the immoral acts and ritualistic homosexual demands of the Babandan ruler, Mwanga.

Mwanga was a superstitious pagan king who originally was tolerant of Catholicism. However, his chief assistant, Katikiro, slowly convinced him that Christians were a threat to his rule. The premise was if these Christians would not bow to him, nor make sacrifices to their pagan god, nor pillage, massacre, nor make war, what would happen if his whole kingdom converted to Catholicism?

When Charles was sentenced to death, he seemed very peaceful, one might even say, cheerful. He was to be executed by being burnt to death. While the pyre was being prepared, he asked to be untied so that he could arrange the sticks. He then lay down upon them. When the executioner said that Charles would be burned slowly so death, Charles replied by saying that he was very glad to be dying for the True Faith. He made no cry of pain but just twisted and moaned, “Kotanda! (O my God!).” He was burned to death by Mwanga’s order on June 3, 1886. Pope Paul VI canonized Charles Lwanga and his companions on June 22,1964. We celebrate his memorial on June 3rd of the Roman Calendar. Charles is the Patron of the African Youth of Catholic Action.

Photo credit: Philipp Jakob via Wikimedia Commons
Love uCATHOLIC?
Get our inspiring content delivered to your inbox every morning - FREE!

26 COMMENTS

  1. St. Charles, please intercede for my son to get his dream job, this we ask in Jesus name, keep us safe and protect us from harm

  2. strengthen the faith of inspiration for those who suffer physically and spiritually, because of Jesus who became the backbone of his life

  3. St. Charles—- please intercede for all of us who are suffering. Please may we all be patient and have the courage to carry our cross until Jesus answers our prayers. Amen!

  4. St Charles. & fellow Martyrs, pray for me that I over come all my sinfull ways & thoughts. Pray for my family. Amen

  5. SAINT CHARLES. of. LWANGA ,,,,,,,,,,,,,PRAY. FOR. THOSE. WHO. HAVE………NO……CHOICES. IN. THIS. LIFE,,,,,or,,,,,,So
    THEY. THINK. !!!!!!!!!!
    YOU,,,,ARE,,,,ALIVE….and……WELL…..in……GOD’S……HEAVEN………….AND….STILL….DOING….HIS…..WORK. !!!!!!!!!!! WE
    GIVE. WORDS. of. THANKSGIVING……….and…….WE. PRAY. UNTO…..YOU !!!!!!!! STOP…….THIS…….HATRED…….of……
    ALL. PEOPLE,,,,,,,,,of,,,,,,,DIFFERENT……………. COLOR……DIFFERENT……BELIEFS……..DIFFERENT………THINKING!!!?!!!!!
    THERE….IS….BUT….ONE…..SUPERIOR…….AND…..LOVING…..GOD………ALMIGHTY. !!!!!!!!!
    AND…..HE….IS…..HERE…..FOR…….YOU……..AND…….ME. !!!!!!!!!!!?

  6. We hope this should and must be an inspiration to the American policemen who target Black people for sacrifice on the altar of racism. It is a very serious matter. If these policemen should stop a bit and think the level of destruction and devastation they are doing to their own souls they would shudder in fright and stop these avoidable murders. Committing murder on this Earth is not the end. At the end of a murderer’s life on this Earth, the consequence of this murder will stare him/her on the face; and he/she can never escape the consequences of this murderous act. It is a terrible consequence. May God have mercy on us! Amen!

  7. Dear St. Charles Lwanga & Companions:

    Please pray for the family of George Floyd, and all of his supporters who try to have peaceful demonstrations. This sort of treatment has GOT to stop. Many of our young people have been killed over the years, with NO conclusion. Thank you.

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here