Photo by James A. McBride
Worshippers carrying icons process into St. Charles Borromeo Church, Sicklerville, at the Mass of Remembrance for the Ugandan Martyrs on June 3.
The second annual Mass of Remembrance for the Ugandan Martyrs was celebrated Sunday, June 3, at St. Charles Borromeo Church in Sicklerville.
Bishop Joseph A. Galante presided and Father Alfred Mugujakisa, of Uganda, was the chief celebrant and homilist. Music was provided by the Diocesan Gospel Choir, and the Akwaaba Prayer Group.
The Ugandan Martyrs were 24 men and boys who were murdered between 1885-87 by King Mwanga II, after they stood up for their Christian faith against the ruler.
The Catholic martyrs were canonized in 1964 by Pope Paul VI. Their feast is June 3. Pope John Paul II stated that their sacrifice was the seed that “helped to draw Uganda and all of Africa to Christ.” They have been called the “founding fathers” of the church in modern Africa.
The annual Mass of Remembrance for the Ugandan Martyrs is sponsored by the Black Catholic Ministry Commission of the Diocese of Camden.