Saint Charles Lwanga

Charles served as head of the pages at the royal court of King Mwanga II of Buganda, a position that placed him in charge of a group of young men who served the king directly. When the king demanded sexual access to the pages under his charge, Charles worked to shield them, and many of the pages, following his example and instruction, had converted to Christianity and refused the king's demands on religious grounds. Enraged, Mwanga ordered the arrest of Charles and dozens of other Christian pages and courtiers in 1886. Charles was burned alive at Namugongo along with several companions, reportedly remaining calm and even encouraging his fellow martyrs as the fire was lit. In total, twenty-two Catholic martyrs and a number of Anglican martyrs died in this persecution, and their witness became one of the most significant founding events of Christianity in East Africa. They were canonized together by Pope Paul VI in 1964.