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The Ugandan Martyrs: Charles Lwanga and Companions, Bear Wrongs PatientlyFeast Day June 3rd (Died in1886) After the establishment of missions in the 1870's, Christianity began to take root and spread throughout the African continent. The Ugandan King Mwanga greatly detested the faith, and sought to oppress it whenever possible. At one point, King Mwanga hired a Christian to serve as his chief steward. The young man, Joseph Balikuddembe, was repulsed by the king's lifestyle of debauchery. Young Joseph also witnessed the king's attempts to corrupt other young men of Uganda. After he learned that Mwanga had ordered the execution of an Anglican missionary, Joseph spoke up against the king. King Mwanga soon ordered the murder of Joseph himself. Upon learning of his death sentence, Joseph said: "A Christian who gives his life for God is not afraid to die". Much to Mwanga's surprise, Joseph's death did not intimidate the Christian community; rather, it seemed to inspire greater devotion. Around the same time, King Mwanda hired Charles Lwanga to serve as master of the pages. Like Joseph, Charles Lwanga spoke out courageously against the king, even baptizing young pages whom the king had sought to corrupt. Enraged by this, the king ordered the death of every practicing Christian. Eventually, 32 Christians would burn to death in a literal holocaust. Before his death, one martyr proclaimed: "God will rescue me. But you will not see how de does it, because he will take my soul and leave you only my body." The martyrs died praising God. The Ugandan martyrs were canonized by Pope Paul VI in 1964. Click on one of the Saints to the right to learn more about them. |
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