The Saints: St. Charles Lwanga

Unknown - 1886

Feast – June 3

Among the Martyrs of Uganda, Charles Lwanga and Joseph Mkasa are best known. Christianity was new to the African nation and a youthful King Mwanga ruled with animosity toward foreigners. He saw the missionaries as a threat and turned savage toward young Christian pages in his court. Joseph, a Catholic, and master of the court pages, was killed for reproaching the king. Charles and several other young Christian men were put to death for not renouncing their faith. The martyrs were canonized in 1964.