St. Charles Lwanga and Companions
May 24, 2016
St Charles Lwanga (or Karoli Lwanga) was born in Uganda in the nineteenth century. He was converted to the Catholic faith, and is now revered as a saint and martyr by both Catholic and Anglican churches. As a young man, Charles worked in the court of the cruel King Mwanga II. This king was determined to resist colonization and his strategy was to execute all Christian converts, many of whom were killed during the years 1885–1887. Charles Lwanga, together with 22 other converts, was tortured and martyred for his faith, eventually being burned alive on the 3rd of June 1886. As he was being burned, St. Charles said to the guardian “It is as if you are pouring water on me. Please repent and become a Christian like me.” The feast day of these courageous African martyrs is celebrated on June 3rd. St. Charles Lwanga is the patron saint of African Catholic Youth Action, converts and torture victims. Stained glass windows usually depict St. Charles together with the other martyrs wearing red and white robes. If you would like a stained glass window or door panel of them for your church, office or home, then please contact us and we will be happy to help you.
