Gospel in Art: Saints Charles Lwanga and Companions, Martyrs

St Kizito being baptised by St Charles Lwanga. Stained glass at Munyonyo Martyrs Shrine, © Wikimedia

Source: Christian Art

Gospel of 3 June 2026
Matthew 5:1-12

At that time: Seeing the crowds, Jesus went up on the mountain, and when he sat down, his disciples came to him. And he opened his mouth and taught them, saying: 'Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted. Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied. Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God. Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.'

Reflection on the stained glass window

Saint Charles Lwanga and his Companions were a group of twenty-two Catholic martyrs, killed for their faith in Uganda between 1885 and 1887. They were part of a wider persecution of Christian converts (both Catholic and Anglican) under the rule of King Mwanga II of Buganda. The king, fearing the growing influence of Christianity in his court and angered by the Christians' opposition to his immoral demands, especially toward young male pages, began a brutal campaign against the Christian converts. Charles Lwanga, a court official and a devout Catholic, courageously protected the younger boys from the king's abuses and continued to instruct them in the faith, even after the murder of the Catholic missionary Joseph Mukasa Balikuddembe.

On 3 June 1886, Charles and twelve of his companions were burned alive at Namugongo, having refused to renounce their faith. Their martyrdom became a powerful witness, inspiring the growth of Christianity throughout Uganda and beyond. Pope Paul VI canonised them in 1964, recognising not only their heroic virtue but also the extraordinary witness of a young, indigenous African Church. Today's feast holds special significance in Africa, especially in Uganda, where they are national heroes and spiritual intercessors.

Among those martyred was Saint Kizito, the youngest of the group, who was just 14 years old at the time of his death. Our stained glass window from the Munyonyo Martyrs Shrine. A page at the royal court, Kizito was deeply influenced by the example and care of Charles Lwanga. On the night before their execution, at Munyonyo, Charles secretly baptised Kizito, knowing that their deaths were imminent. It was an act of immense courage and love, a final gift of faith from one saint to another! That moment, in the darkness of persecution, symbolises the light of Christ passed from one soul to another, and the enduring strength of belief in the face of terror. Today, Munyonyo is a place of pilgrimage, where the memory of their sacrifice continues to inspire generations of believers.

Today we pray especially for our brothers and sisters in Africa, where the Catholic Church is growing with extraordinary vitality and joy. In many African countries, the faith is flourishing with vibrant Christian communities and a remarkable number of priestly and religious vocations. Today, nearly one in five Catholics in the world lives in Africa, and the Church there continues to grow rapidly year after year. While many parts of the Western world experience declining church attendance, African churches are often overflowing with worshippers, filled with singing, prayer, and youthful energy. Yet alongside this growth, many Christians in Africa also face immense hardship: poverty, political instability, violence, persecution, and lack of resources. Today we pray that the Church in Africa may continue to be a radiant witness for the whole universal Church.

LINKS

Christian Art: https://christian.art/
Today's reading: https://christian.art/daily-gospel-reading/matthew-5-1-12-2026/
Video: How art called me to the priesthood: www.indcatholicnews.com/news/55096