Cristy Li

St. Charles Lwanga & Companions
Image: Catholic Online

(CNA) In 1879 Christianity began to spread in Uganda when the White Fathers (a congregation of Priests founded by Cardinal Lavigerie) were peacefully received by King Mutesa of Uganda.

The Priests soon began preparing Christian converts for baptism and before long a number of the young pages of the King’s Court had become Catholics. However following the death of Mutesa, his son Mwanga a corrupt man who ritually engaged in pedophilia with young pages ascended to the throne.

When King Mwanga had a visiting Anglican Bishop murdered, his Chief Page Joseph Mukasa a Catholic, went to great lengths to protect the young male pages from Mwanga’s lust, Mukasa denounced the King’s actions and was subsequently beheaded.

On the night of the martyrdom of Joseph Mukasa, some 100 of the other Pages fearing for their lives, went to the ‘White Fathers’ to receive baptism — another 100 of the Christian converts were baptized in the week following Mukasa death.

Following the death of Joseph Mukasa, a young 25 yr old Charles Lwanga, who was totally dedicated to God and the Christian instruction to the young pages became the Chief Page, and he just as forcefully protected the young men in his care from King Mwanga’s advances.

In May of the following year, King Mwanga learned that one of his young pages was learning Catechism, he became furious and ordered all of the Pages to be questioned to separate the Christians from the others–the Christians, 15 in all ranging in ages of 13 to 25 stepped forward. King Mwanga inquired if they were willing to keep their faith? They replied in unison: “Until Death.”

The Christian Pages were then subsequently all bound together and taken on a two day walk to Namugongo — On the way there Matthias Kelembia, one of the older young men exclaimed, “God will rescue me but you will not see how he does it because he will take my soul and leave you only my body.” The executioners cut him into pieces and left him to die alone along the road.

When the rest of the Christians arrived in Namugongo where they were to be burned at the stake, the King’s henchmen bound the Christians together for a week and prepared the wood for the fire.

On this date in 1886 Charles Lwanga was separated from the others tortured and slowly burned at the stake first. — The executioners slowly burnt his feet until only the charred remained, while still alive, they promised they would release him if he renounced his faith in Jesus Christ.

Charles Lwanga refused saying: “You are burning me but it is as if you are pouring water over my body.” Lwanga subsequently continued to pray silently as the executioners set him on fire. Just before the flames reached his heart, he looked up and said in a loud voice: “Katonda” — My God and subsequently died.

Lwanga’s young companions (the remaining Christian Pages) were all burned to death the same day while praying and singing hymns until they died.

In all there were 22 Martyrs for Jesus Christ, the last being a young man named John Mary, who was beheaded by the wicked King Mwanga in 1887 –the persecution of Christians continued to spread during Mwanga’s reign with many more Christians both Catholic and Protestants tortured and killed.

Charles Lwanga was Beatified in 1920 by Pope Benedict XV and Canonized in 1964 by Pope Paul VI

More here from Franciscan Media

Related: Today’s Holy Scripture Readings on the Memorial of St. Charles Lwanga & Companions Visit: -USCCB

Saints Marcellinus and Peter
Image: Catholic News Agency

(EWTN) Both Fr. Marcellinus and Fr. Peter (who performed exorcisms) were of the Clergy of Rome and eminent for their zeal and devotion to Christianity.

During these days of persecution by the Roman Emperor Diocletian, according to Franciscan Media in or about in the year 304 they were condemned to die (beheaded) for their faith.

Pope Damasus said when he was yet a child, he learned of all the particulars of the deaths of Fr. Marcellinus and Fr. Peter first hand from the executioner himself and he subsequently inserted them in an epitaph in Latin placed at their tomb. — Pope Constantine erected a Basilica over their crypt.

Related: For Today’s Most Holy Scripture Readings for the Memorial of St’s Marcellinus & Peter, Visit: -USCCB

Saint Justin (100-165) Martyr for Jesus Christ
Image Courtesy: Streams of the River

(Franciscan Media) Born in the year 100 in the City of Nablus (30 miles north of Jerusalem) Justin was a Pagan philosopher according to SQPN who converted to Christianity at the age of 30 by reading the scriptures, together by witnessing the heroism and faith of martyrs for Jesus Christ.

As a young man, Justin was principally attracted to the School of Plato, spending his youth reading the Poets, Orators and Historians, however he would find that Christianity answered the great questions about the mystery of life and existence better than all the great Philosophers.

Upon Justin’s conversion to Christianity, he continued to wear the Philosophers mantle and became the first Christian Philosopher, combining the values of Christianity with the best elements of Greek philosophy. — In Justin’s view, philosophy was a pedagogue (teacher) of Jesus Christ, an educator that was to lead one to Christianity.

Justin became known as one of the first great Christian apologists (one who defended Christianity against the attacks and misunderstandings of the Pagans and other unbelievers) and opened a school of public debate in Italy Rome.

For Justin’s strong adherence to Christianity, extolling the power of divine grace in the virtue of Christians, teaching of the miraculous works of the Holy Spirit of curing the sick and casting out Demons in the name of Jesus Christ, excluding from salvation willful heretics and infidels, he was scourged and beheaded along with 6 companions who joined him in Justin’s confession of faith in Jesus Christ in Rome in 165

More here from EWTN

Related: For Today’s Most Holy Scripture Readings on the Memorial of St. Justin -USCCB

‘Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary’ Image: —Daily Gospel

(Franciscan Media) This is a fairly late Feast, going back only to the 13th or 14th century, it was established widely throughout the Church to pray for unity. The present date of celebration was set in 1969 in order to follow the ‘Annunciation of the Lord’ (25 March) and precede the ‘Nativity of John the Baptist’ (24 June)

Like most Feasts of Mary, it is closely connected with Jesus and His saving work. The more visible actors in the drama — See: Luke 1:39-45 are Mary and Elizabeth however, Jesus and John the Baptist steal the scene in a hidden way. Jesus makes John leap with joy–the joy of Messianic Salvation. Elizabeth in turn is filled with the Holy Spirit and addresses words of praise to Mary, words that echo down through the ages.

It is helpful to be reminded of, that we do not have a Journalist account of this meeting, rather Luke, speaking for the Church, gives a powerful Poet’s rendition of the scene.

Elizabeth’s praise of Mary as ‘the Mother of My Lord’ can be viewed as the earliest Church’s devotion to Mary. As with all authentic devotion to Mary, Elizabeth’s (the Church’s) words first praise God for what God has done through Mary, only secondly, does Elizabeth praise Mary for trusting God’s words.

Then comes the Magnificat –See: Luke 1:46-55 here Mary herself (like the Church) traces all of her greatness to God.

More here from USCCB & here from EWTN

Saint Joan of Arc (1412-1431)
Image Courtesy: Women of Grace

(Franciscan Media) Born in France Domermy, Joan was one of five children in a fairly well to do peasant family.

From the age of 13 according to Catholic News Agency Joan experienced visions (later identified as the Saint’s Michael the Archangel, Catherine of Alexandria & Margaret of Antioch) telling her to go to the King of France and help him reconquer his kingdom from the invading forces of England and Burgundy.

Overcoming opposition, together with  convincing members of the Royal Court and the Church, Joan was put in charge of a small army, she charged into battle bearing a banner which bore the names of ‘Jesus’ and ‘Mary’ as well as the symbol of the Holy Spirit.

Due to Joan’s leadership and trust in God, she was able to raise the siege of Orleans in 1429 and her army went on to win a series of battles and the King was able to enter Rheims and was crowned with Joan at his side.

Joan was however captured near Compiegne the following year, was sold to England and subsequently, placed on trial for heresy and witchcraft.

Bishop Pierre Cauchon of Beauvais presided over Joan’s trial and Cardinal Henry Beaufort interrogated her at trial for which she was found guilty and condemned to death.

On this date in 1431, Joan was burned at the stake in France Rouen, she was but 19 years old.

It wasn’t until 30 yrs after Joan’s trial and execution that her case was again heard and this time, Joan was exonerated.

Joan of Arc was Beatified in 1905 by Pope Saint Pius X and Canonized in 1920 by Pope Benedict XV

Saint Joan of Arc stands alone in history. Many Women have found sanctity in the cathedral, some have shown bravery in battle but no other ever trained herself to holiness in a Soldiers camp and surely no female Saint ever died at the stake, condemned by an ecclesiastical tribunal as a witch and a heretic.

More here from EWTN

Saint Madeleine Sophie Barat (1779-1865)
Image: Liste Intl

(Franciscan Media) Born in France in the little Burgundian town of Joigny, Sophie received an extensive education thank to her brother Louis, 11 yrs older than her and designated her Godfather at Baptism.

Louis a seminarian decided that his youngest sister Sophie would like him learn Latin, Greek, History, Physics and Mathematics–always without interruption and with a minimum of companionship. By the age of 15, Sophie was well educated in the scriptures, receiving a thorough exposure of the Bible, the teachings of the Church Fathers and theology. Despite the oppressive regime in study Louis imposed, his little sister thrived and developed a genuine love of learning.

Meanwhile, this was the time of the French Revolution, Sophie went to Paris initially considered becoming a Carmelite according Phil Kilroy, author of ‘Madeleine Sophie Barat — A Life’ however Sophie’s own experiences of Revolutionary violence in Joigny and Paris, led young Sophie on a different path.

In 1800 Sophie founded the ‘Society of the Sacred Heart’ whose purpose was to make known the love of God revealed in the Heart of Christ and take part in the restoration of Christian life in France, through the education of young Women both rich and poor alike.

The ‘Society of the Sacred Heart’ rapidly expanded within Europe and beyond. — At the same time, Sophie also grew, transformed by her experience as a leader and friend to many Women who would join the organization.

In 1826 the ‘Society of the Sacred Heart’ received formal Papal approval–by then, Sophie had served as Superior at a number of Convents from the age of 23 until her death in 1865 after being stricken with paralysis.

Sophie was Beatified in 1908 by Pope Saint Pius X and Canonized in 1925 by Pope Pius XI

Today the ‘Society of the Sacred Heart’ has more than 2,200 members in 41 countries educating both girls and boys. Members of the Society are known as ‘Religious of the Sacred Heart’ (“RSCJ” for Religieuses du Sacre-Coeur de Jesus) and its mission is:

• To Reveal to the World a God who loves us.

• To educate children to be a source of transformation in their world.
  

More here from EWTN

Pierre Toussaint (1766-1853)
Image: Info Catolica

(Franciscan Media) Born a slave in Haiti, Pierre’s Master Jean Berard taught him to read and write according to SQPN and when Berard moved to New York in 1787 he took Pierre together with his youngest sister Rosalie.

Pierre apprenticed with a leading hairdresser, learning the trade very quickly and would one day, very successfully work in the homes of some very wealthy ladies in NYC — When Berard passed away, Pierre stayed on to care for his ailing widow, he was freed from slavery when Madame Berard passed away in 1807

Subsequently working for himself, Pierre became quite wealthy and later fell in love with Marie Rose Juliette whose freedom he purchased and then the two were married. The young couple later adopted Euphemie, his orphaned niece.

Pierre attended daily Mass at St. Peter’s Church on Barclay Street, the same parish that Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton (Feast Day 04 January) attended.

Very benevolent and charitable, Pierre donated to various organizations assisting others in need without regard to race, Pierre and his wife Marie, opened their home to orphans, educated them and would care for abandoned individuals suffering from Yellow Fever. — Later, urged to retire and enjoy his wealth, Pierre responded:

“I have enough for myself but if I stop working,
I have not enough for others.”

To his final days, Pierre worked tirelessly to help anyone who needed it, he passed away at the age of 87 in NYC — In 1996 Pierre was declared Venerable by Pope Saint John Paul II 

More here from Natl Catholic Register

St. Augustine of Canterbury
Image: Longbows & Rosary Beads

(EWTN) When Pope Gregory began to plan for the evangelism of England, the land was still largely pagan although in the Southwest, there were remnants of earlier missionary efforts. To lead this important mission, Pope Gregory chose Augustine–Nothing much is known of him until the year 596 when with a party of 40 Benedictine Monks, he set out Northwards from Rome according to Franciscan Media to evangelize the Anglo-Saxons in England.

Upon reaching Provence, the Monks accompanying Augustine grew fearful of the dangers that lay ahead, alarming stories were being told of the ferocity of the Pagans and the hazards of crossing the treacherous waters of the English Channel.

Augustine subsequently returned to Rome and to Pope Gregory only to be assured by him that the fears of the Monks were groundless–Augustine again set out. This time the group crossed the English Channel and landed in the territory of Kent, ruled by King Ethelbert, a pagan married to a Christian, Bertha Ethelbert who received them kindly and set up a residence for them in Canterbury.

After King Ethelbert listened carefully to the Monks teaching, he gave them permission to evangelize his subjects–One year later on Pentecost in 597 King Ethelbert converted and was baptized.

Subsequent to this promising start, Augustine returned to Provence to be consecrated Bishop in France and then returned to Canterbury where he set up his See.

Now a Bishop,  in 603 Augustine constructed a Church and Monastery on property given by King Ethelbert–these structures formed the nucleus for the metropolitan cathedral–they were destroyed by fire in 1067 and the present cathedral begun by Lanfranc in 1070 stands on its site. As the Christian faith spread, additional Sees were established at London and Rochester.

Work was often slow and Bishop Augustine did not always meet with success. Attempts to reconcile the Anglo-Saxon Christians with the Briton Christians (who had been driven into Western England by the Anglo-Saxon invaders) ended in dismal failure.

While the Briton Christians were sound in fundamental doctrine, Bishop Augustine failed to convince them to give up certain Celtic customs at variance with Rome and to forget their bitterness with the Anglo-Saxon Christians.

Laboring patiently, Bishop Augustine wisely heeded the missionary principles–quite enlightened for his time, suggested by Pope Gregory:

• Purify rather than destroy pagan temples and customs;

• Allow pagan rites and festivals be transformed into Christian Feasts;

• Retain local customs as far as possible.

Bishop Augustine’s last years were spent in spreading and consolidating the Christian faith in the short eight years since his arrival, which would eventually bear great fruit, leaving the continuation of his work to others long after his death in 604 — Bishop Augustine of Canterbury can truly be called the ‘Apostle of England’ for which he is the Patron Saint.

Related: For Today’s Holy Scripture Readings for the Memorial of St. Augustine of Canterbury, Visit: -USCCB

Saint Philip Neri (1515-1595) Image Courtesy: Christian Forums

(Franciscan Media) Born in Italy Florence, his family was poor. Philip Neri’s family moved to San Germano in 1533 according to SQPN to help some relatives with their businesses, while there, Philip would escape to a local Dominican Chapel in the mountains–Philip abandoned any chance to go into business like his relatives and moved to Rome with the resolve to devote his life and individuality to God.

While in Rome, Philip studied philosophy and theology and for the next 13 years his time was unusually spent as a lay person in his day, Philip actively engaged in prayer and evangelism.

As the ‘Council of Trent’ was reforming the Church on a doctrine level, Philip’s appealing personality was winning him friends from all levels of society–from Beggars to Cardinals. Philip rapidly gathered around himself a group of other laypersons, won over by his audacious spirituality. Initially they met as an informal prayer and discussion group and also served the poor in Rome.

At the urging of Philip’s Confessor, he was ordained a Priest in 1551 and soon became an outstanding Confessor, gifted with the knack of piercing the pretenses and illusions of others, though always in a charitable manner and often with a joke.

Fr. Philip Neri would arrange talks, discussions and prayers for his penitents in a room above the Church, he would on occasion lead ‘excursions’ to other Churches, often time with music and a picnic along the way.

Some of Fr. Philip Neri’s followers would later become Priests, living together in a community–this was the beginning of the ‘Congregation of the Oratory’ which Fr. Philip Neri founded. A feature of their life was a daily afternoon service of four informal talks together with vernacular hymns. — Cardinal Newman founded the first English speaking house of the Oratory, three centuries later.

Fr. Philip Neri’s advice was sought by many prominent figures. Fr. Neri became one of the most influential figures of the Counter-Reformation, mainly for converting to personal holiness many of the influential people within the Church. — Fr. Neri died at the Church of San Maria in Italy Vallicella at the age of eighty.

In 1615 Fr. Philip Neri was Beatified by Pope Paul V and was Canonized in 1622 by Pope Gregory XV

More here from EWTN

Saint Bede the Venerable (672-735) Image: Catholic Fire

(CNA) Born in England Wearmouth, Bede’s parents sent him at a young age to study at the Monastery of St. Paul in Jarrow, that was founded by Benedictine Abbot Benedict Biscop (later be Canonized in his own right) Biscop’s extensive library may have sparked a curiosity in young Bede, who would grow up to be a voracious reader and prolific writer.

Bede’s teachers could see in their pupil that his life exhibited a remarkable devotion to prayer and study–Later when Bede returned to Jarrow and continued his studies with Abbot Ceolfrid (a companion of Benedict Biscop) the Abbot and a group of other Monks instructed Bede not only to study scripture and theology but also sacred music, poetry and Greek –Bede would continue his studies for 11 more years before entering the Priesthood at the age of 30 around the beginning of the 8th Century.

Subsequently Fr. Bede took on the responsibility of celebrating daily Mass with the members of his Benedictine community, while also farming, baking and doing other works at the Monastery.

Fr. Bede gave absolute priority to prayer, fasting, charity and hospitality, he regarded all other works as ‘valueless’ without the love of God and one’s neighbor. — Fr. Bede also possessed outstanding intellectual gifts, which he used to survey and master a wide range of subjects according to an all-encompassing vision of Christian scholarship.

Later, Fr. Bede declined a request to become Abbot at his Monastery, instead he concentrated on writing and produced more than 45 books during his lifetime–primarily about Theology and the Bible but also on Science, Literature and History. Fr. Bede would go on to teach hundreds of students at the Monastery and its school, which would become renowned throughout Great Britain.

During Fr. Bede’s lifetime, his spiritual and intellectual gifts garnered wide recognition. his writings on scripture were considered so authoritative, that a Church council ordered them to be publicly read in English Churches.

Some of the most illustrious members of English society made pilgrimages to Fr. Bede’s Monastery to seek his guidance and he was personally invited to Rome by Pope Sergius.

Fr. Bede was unfazed by these honors, perhaps inspired by the Benedictine monastic ethos, which emphasizes ones absolute commitment to the monastic community–Fr. Bede chose not to visit Rome or travel any significant distance beyond the Monastery of St. Paul during his entire lifetime.

Instead the world would come to Fr. Bede, through the visitors that he received according to the Benedictine tradition of hospitality and through his voluminous reading. Fr. Bede in-turn reached the world without leaving his monastery, writing books that were copied with reverence for centuries and still read to this day. Fr. Bede is one of the last Western Christian writers to be numbered among the Church Fathers.

Fr. Bede understood that love rather than learning was his life’s purpose saying:

“It is better to be a stupid and uneducated Brother who, working at the good things he knows, merits life in heaven, than to be one who–though being distinguished for his learning in the Scriptures or even holding the place of a teacher, lacks the bread of love.”

Fr. Bede died on this date on the Vigil on the Feast of the Ascension of Christ in 735 shortly after finishing the Anglo-Saxon translation of the Gospel of John.

In 1899 Fr. Bede was declared ‘Doctor of the Church’ and was Canonized by Pope Leo XIII

More here from EWTN and here from Franciscan Media

Related: For Today’s Most Holy Scripture Readings for the Memorial of St. Bede, Visit: -USCCB