Saint Charles Lwanga and Companions

<p>The 22 Martyrs of Uganda died on June 3, 1886, and were canonized in 1964. Charles Lwanga and his companions had become Christians through the Catholic missions of the Missionaries of Africa (popularly called the White Fathers).</p>
<p>Charles' predecessor as master of royal pages, also a Christian, had censured King Mwanga for his cruelty and immorality. The vengeful king was determined to stamp out Christianity. He ordered Charles and the other young pages who were Christian put to death. About 100 persons died during the persecution. However, within a year of these deaths, the number of Christians had greatly increased, and by 1890 was estimated to be ten thousand.©2011 <em>Living with Christ, </em>Novalis - Bayard Press Canada Inc., <strong>http://www.livingwithchrist.ca/</strong&gt;. Reprinted with permission.</p>