St. Charles Lwanga and Companions

Charles Lwanga, a young Page in the court of King Mwanga in Uganda, was the first of 22 who were killed by order of this king, who wanted to obliterate "all who prayed".  Charles was the head of the royal Pages and a catechist.  He baptized four catechumens and encouraged all the other believers to stand fast in the faith as they made their way through the jungle to be burned alive.  He was the first to die but his blood and the blood of his companions became the seed of faith for a lively Church in Uganda and throughout Africa.  At the beatification of these martyrs in  1920, some of their captors who had converted, were present.
They will see the glory of the Lord,
the splendor of our God.  (Is 35:2)

The example of such martyrs inspires us \with courage and with the realization that the love Jesus has for us and we for him, can help us through any trial or test, and that in the end, it is this love that wins.  In humility we pray:
Strengthen the hands that are feeble,
make firm the knees that are weak.
say to those whose hearts are frightened.
Be strong, fear not.

Here is your God,
he comes with vindication;
with divine recompense
he comes to save you.    (Is 35: 3-4)
Bro. Rene