Confort june african martyrs

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June 2013

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Union with God amidst so much business

“Your Light Has Come” All Africa is being called to the light of Christ! Animation Notes for the On-going Formation of Communities & Confreres

Saint Charles Lwanga and his companions (- 1885/7) Many Catholic and Anglicans, were killed by the Ugandan king Mwanga. Some of them were servants in the king’s palace or even his personal attendants. Charles Lwanga and his twentyone companions were executed for identifying themselves as Christians, refusing to renounce their faith, and resisting King Kabaka's demands for sexual favors. They died between 1885 and 1887. Thirty-two were arrested and led to a place called Namugongo to be burned to death in a literal holocaust. Three were killed on the way. On arrival they were imprisoned for seven days while a huge pyre was prepared. Charles Lwanga was singled out to be killed apart from the other martyrs, tortured more severely and burned more slowly, because of the prominent position he held at the court, his positive influence over the others. On Ascension Day, the 3rd of June, they were forced to lie down on reed mats. Wrapped up in the mats and tightly bound, they were laid side by side. Fuel was poured on them, and they were set afire. As their executioners sang barbarously, the martyrs died confidently praying to their Savior. St. Charles was 25 and many of the other martyrs were younger. St. Kizito was the youngest at 14 or 15 . Within a year of their deaths, the number of catechumens in the country quadrupled.

HOMILY OF HIS HOLINESS JOHN PAUL II AT THE SHRINE OF THE HOLY UGANDA MARTYRS OF NAMUGONGO

Kampala (Uganda), 7 February 1993 "The effects of the light are seen in complete goodness and right living and truth" (Eph. 5: 9).

1. Today is Sunday. Jesus Christ, the Light of the world (Cf. Jn. 8: 12), is risen from the dead! At the Shrine of the Holy Martyrs of Uganda, we have gathered to celebrate Christ the Light of the world. Christ’s Resurrection fulfilled the words spoken to the Holy City Jerusalem by the Prophet Isaiah: "Your light has come, the glory of the Lord is rising on you... above you the Lord now rises and above you his glory appears" (Is. 60: 1-2). Isaiah then said: "The nations come to your light... your sons from far away" (Ibid. 60: 3-4). Yes. From far away the nations have come: from countless lands and peoples of the earth. For two thousand years. You too have come, people of Uganda, sons and daughters of Africa. You too have seen the light of Christ’s Resurrection. The light which produces "complete goodness and right living and truth". 2. This is the place where Christ’s light shone on your land with a


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