St. Charles Lwanga and Companions Novena
Contents
Show HideSt. Charles Lwanga and his companions were Ugandan martyrs who lived during the mid-1800s. They showed great courage in their commitment to the Catholic faith and to chastity.
Let’s use this novena to ask St. Charles Lwanga and his companions to intercede for us!
About St. Charles Lwanga and Companions
St. Charles Lwanga was born in 1860 in what is now Uganda. He was a member of a tribe called the Baganda tribe, and he served at the court of his country’s ruler, King Mwanga II of Buganda
King Mwanga was a violent, harsh ruler with tendencies toward homosexual sins. He often tried to force himself on the boys and men who served him, and the Christians in his court refused to cooperate with his lifestyle.
When King Mwanga killed a Protestant missionary and the missionary’s companions, the king’s chief steward Joseph Mukasa Balikuddembe confronted him over his violent and immoral behaviors. The king then ordered Joseph to be killed. Joseph said, “A Christian who gives his life for God is not afraid to die.” Then the king ordered Charles Lwanga to take over Joseph’s duties.
Charles Lwanga sought baptism for himself and took over Joseph’s secret role of heading Christian instruction for the other members of the court. He also took over the task of protecting the young boys from King Mwanga.
When King Mwanga realized that his servants were being taught the Christian religion, he became angry. Learning that a man named Denis Sebuggwawo had been teaching them, he killed Denis himself.
Then the king called an assembly of his court and ordered the Christians to separate from the rest. He asked the Christians to renounce their faith.
Led by Charles Lwanga, the Christians courageously refused to do so, and they declared that they would remain faithful to God. The king then condemned them to death.
Charles Lwanga baptized those who were still catechumens, and the king ordered that the Christians be sent on a 37 mile hike to the place where they would be executed. The Christians showed great courage and joy on the way to their deaths, even though three of them were killed on the way.
When the Christians reached their place of execution, they were imprisoned there for seven days. Then, their captors put them on a pyre to be burned.
One of the boys, Mbaga, was the son of the chief executioner. The executioner pleaded with him to renounce his faith and live, but the boy courageously denied his request. The executioner then ordered that the boy be killed first.
The remaining prisoners were burned to death on the pyre. Thirteen Catholics died, along with eleven Protestants. Their last words were calls upon the name of Jesus.
St. Charles Lwanga and Companions’ Feast Day:
June 3rd
Why Pray the St. Charles Lwanga and Companions Novena?
While there isn’t an official patronage for St. Charles Lwanga and Companions, they are great saints to turn to for intercession on behalf of Christians who are persecuted in our world today. You can also ask them to pray for strength for you if you are threatened because of your faith.
Their courage in resisting the temptation to give into impurity also make them great saints to turn to for intercession in struggles with purity. You can also ask them to pray for the strength and growth of the Church in Africa, or the Church in Uganda particularly.
You can pray the St. Charles Lwanga and Companions Novena for any intention!
St. Charles Lwanga and Companions Novena Prayers
St. Charles Lwanga and Companions Novena - Day 1
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
Dear Lord, we thank You for the virtue and example of Your martyr, St. Charles Lwanga and his Companions. Help us to imitate the deep love for Your Church that inspired them to spread the Catholic faith to others.
St. Charles Lwanga and Companions, you lived in a society that was hostile to the Catholic faith. Your ruler was violently opposed to Christianity. He did all he could to stop you from handing on the Catholic faith to others.
Despite the threat of suffering and death, you did not hesitate to teach others about Christ and bring them into His Church. You continued to preach the Gospel and lead others to God, even though doing so would lead to your death.
Pray for me, that I may have courage and devotion like yours.
Please also pray for (mention your intentions here).
St. Charles Lwanga and Companions, pray for us!
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
St. Charles Lwanga and Companions Novena - Day 2
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
Dear Lord, we thank You for the virtue and example of Your martyr, St. Charles Lwanga and his Companions. Help us to imitate their devotion to purity and the strength they showed in resisting the impure advances of their king.
St. Charles Lwanga and Companions, you found yourself in the difficult position of serving a ruler who wished to sin against chastity with you. But you knew the value of standing firm in virtue. You did not wish to participate in anything that violated God’s law.
Even though your king had the power to kill you for refusing to cooperate with him in impurity, you held fast to your virtue. You refused to willingly participate in your king’s sins, and you did your best to protect each other from him.
Please pray for me, that I may be as devoted to purity and to God’s law as you were.
Please also pray for (mention your intentions here).
St. Charles Lwanga and Companions, pray for us!
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
St. Charles Lwanga and Companions Novena - Day 3
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
Dear Lord, we thank you for the virtue and example of Your martyr, St. Charles Lwanga and his Companions. Help us to imitate the fortitude they showed when they stayed firm the path of virtue despite the threat of suffering and death.
St. Charles Lwanga and Companions, you knew well what the violent king of your country was capable of doing. You knew he hated the Christian faith and would punish you for being a Christian. You saw him kill others for refusing to renounce the faith, and you knew he could do the same to you.
Despite the very real threat of punishment, you stayed firm in the path of virtue and faith. You continued instructing one another in the faith and refusing to perform immoral acts, even though you knew you might face the king’s punishment.
Pray for me, that I may have the fortitude to continue in the path of holiness despite all obstacles, as you did.
Please also pray for (mention your intentions here).
St. Charles Lwanga and Companions, pray for us!
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
St. Charles Lwanga and Companions Novena - Day 4
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
Dear Lord, we thank You for the virtue and example of Your martyr, St. Charles Lwanga and his Companions. Help us to imitate the strength and faith they showed in resisting the temptation to give in to impure demands.
St. Charles Lwanga and Companions, you knew that your king’s homosexual acts were not in accord with God’s law. You knew that it would be wrong to cooperate with his sins. But despite being under his temporal authority, you did all you could to resist his impure demands.
Even though your refusal brought the king’s anger upon you, you stayed firm in the virtue of purity. You held fast to your faith and all that it called you to do, even when the king decided to kill you for it.
Pray for me, that I may be as devoted to God’s law and as strong in virtue as you were.
Please also pray for (mention your intentions here).
St. Charles Lwanga and Companions, pray for us!
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
St. Charles Lwanga and Companions Novena - Day 5
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
Dear Lord, we thank You for the virtue and example of Your martyr, St. Charles Lwanga and his Companions. Help us to imitate the spirit of missionary zeal they showed in attempting to bring more souls into the faith even in the midst of persecution.
St. Charles Lwanga and Companions, you refused to let the threat of punishment and death squelch your ferver for souls. You taught the Catholic faith to others in secret when necessary, and you preached the Gospel as well as you were able to in your hostile environment.
Even as you were preparing for your own deaths, you continued proclaiming the Good News of Christ and showing others an example of holiness.
Pray for me, that I may be as zealous in spreading of the Catholic faith as you were.
Please also pray for (mention your intentions here).
St. Charles Lwanga and Companions, pray for us!
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
St. Charles Lwanga and Companions Novena - Day 6
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
Dear Lord, we thank You for the virtue and example of Your martyr, St. Charles Lwanga and his Companions. Help us to imitate the devotion to You that led them to stand firm in their faith despite the persecution they faced.
St. Charles Lwanga and Companions, you were deeply devoted to your faith. You were resolved to practice it steadfastly and to bring others to God, even though your country’s ruler was hostile to Christianity.
You knew that your king had killed other Christians for their faith. You knew that continuing to practice and spread your faith could lead to your own suffering or death. But despite these threats, you did not let fear stop you from serving God faithfully.
Pray for me, that I may serve God faithfully despite any difficulties I might face.
Please also pray for (mention your intentions here).
St. Charles Lwanga and Companions, pray for us!
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
St. Charles Lwanga and Companions Novena - Day 7
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
Dear Lord, we thank You for the virtue and example of Your martyr, St. Charles Lwanga and his Companions. Help us to imitate the great courage they showed in remaining steadfast in their faith even to the point of death.
St. Charles Lwanga and Companions, you knew that practicing your faith could lead to your death. You knew that your king had killed others for remaining faithful to the Christian faith. But even though you were given the opportunity to renounce your faith and save your lives, you held firm courageously and accepted death.
You had several opportunities to give up your faith before your death. But even during your painful last moments, you courageously held fast to your love of God.
Pray for me, that I may practice my faith as courageously as you did.
Please also pray for (mention your intentions here).
St. Charles Lwanga and Companions, pray for us!
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
St. Charles Lwanga and Companions Novena - Day 8
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
Dear Lord, we thank You for the virtue and example of Your martyr, St. Charles Lwanga and his Companions. Help us to imitate the joyful acceptance of suffering that they showed as their deaths approached.
St. Charles Lwanga and Companions, you suffered greatly in the time leading up to your deaths. You suffered in knowing the pain that would soon come to you and to each other. You even endured a brutal hike and imprisonment before your execution.
Despite this suffering, you did not give in to anger, pettiness, or complaints. You remained joyful and confident that God would reward you. Even during your final sufferings before your death, you continued to call upon Jesus and to hold fast to your faith in Him.
Pray for me, that I may bear my sufferings as joyfully as you did.
Please also pray for (mention your intentions here).
St. Charles Lwanga and Companions, pray for us!
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
St. Charles Lwanga and Companions Novena - Day 9
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
Dear Lord, we thank You for the virtue and example of Your martyr, St. Charles Lwanga and his Companions. Help us to imitate their holiness and their sacrifices which bring about the continued spreading of the faith in their country.
St. Charles Lwanga and Companions, you did not live in a society that viewed Christianity favorably. The ruler of your country was very hostile to your faith. He did all he could to stop its spread and extinguish Christianity from his land.
Despite this opposition, you held firm to your faith. You worked hard to spread your faith to others by teaching and example. Ultimately, you sacrificed your life for that faith. Your sacrifice was not in vain, as God continues to use your example of holiness even today.
Pray for me, that I may be strong in my faith as you were when sacrificed your lives for Christ.
Please also pray for (mention your intentions here).
St. Charles Lwanga and Companions, pray for us!
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.