Today we celebrate St. Charles Lwanga of Uganda.  He is a Saint for our time and place.  Charles served his king as a faithful citizen until he was asked to do something against his conscience formed by his Christian/Catholic faith.   He was asked to perform immoral sexual acts and to take mind-altering drugs and to invite the young pages who were his responsibility into these practices.   He refused and modeled for them instead the courage to give their lives instead of offending God    These challenges face young people all over the world.  May the example of Charles and his companions, both Catholic and Protestant be a strength for our own youth.

PRAYER

God our Father,

We praise and thank you

for the life and death of your servant,

Charles Lwanga.

Through his intercession, 

we ask you to pour 

your Holy Spirit

on all young christians.

May they be courageous

witnesses of your Son.

We ask this in his name,

Jesus Christ our Lord.

Amen  

from  shrine in  Uganda  (prayer adapeted)