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June 3, 1999
Today's Feastday, Saint Charles Lwanga and Companions
Today is a Memorial in honor of Saint Charles Lwanga and Companions on
this Thursday in the Ninth Week of Ordinary Time. The universal Church today
honors 22 black martyrs of Uganda in Africa. The first martyrs of black Africa,
they died in a persecution similar to those of the ancient Roman Emperors.
Most of them had been baptized but a short time. Charles Lwanga, chief of the
royal pages, was killed with twelve companions on this date in 1886. The
Uganda Martyrs were canonized as saints by Pope Paul VI in 1964.
In the first reading Raphael means "God heals." The angel Raphael, using
the name Azariah, has guided young Tobiah to Media. Tobith marries the
unfortunate Sarah according to the Mosaic Law. The newlyweds pray humbly.
Mark gives us today in the second reading a helpful teaching of Jesus.
The first great commandment is the Shema of Deuteronomy 6:4. The second great
commandment reflects Leviticus 19:18, Jesus taught these as our two major
duties in life.
Today's Prayer
Father,
you have make the blood of the martyrs
the seed of Christians.
May the witness of Saint Charles and his companions
and their loyalty to Christ in the face of torture
inspire countless men and women
to live the Christian faith.
We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever.
Amen.
Spiritual Communion Prayer
Please join us with this prayer in asking the Lord Jesus to be with you.
Act of Spiritual Communion
My Jesus, I believe that You are in the Blessed Sacrament.
I love You above all things, and I long for you in my soul.
Since I cannot now receive You sacramentally,
come at least spiritually into my heart.
I know You have already come.
I embrace You and unite myself entirely to You;
never permit me to be separated from You.
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