Today is the Feast of St. Charles Lwanga and Companions, also known as the Ugandan Martyrs. We commemorate these 22 Ugandan martyrs who were ordered to be put to death by their King Mwanga on June 3, 1886, for reproaching the King for his cruelty and immorality.
They were able to reproach the King because they had the spirit of power, love and self-control that St. Paul tells the young preacher, Timothy, about in today’s reading. The Ugandan martyrs were not ashamed of their testimony for the Lord and therefore, the number of Christians has continued to increase in East Africa.
Like these martyrs, Venerable Patrick Peyton, whose 28th anniversary of death we also celebrate today, was not ashamed but gave his life entirely for the promotion of the Rosary and family prayer around the world. We are privileged to continue his mission of helping families pray so that his vision of having more flourishing and fulfilled families here on earth and for eternity will be realized.
Friends, today our lives are being threatened not by a king but by fear of a virus and by economic uncertainty. These fears and restrictions resulting from them can control us, leading to undesirable emotions and actions, and prevent our families from being fully functional.
To rise above our natural reactions to our fears and live on a higher level as the Martyrs and Venerable Peyton did, we can follow Paul’s advice to Timothy, and “stir into flame the gift of God,” the gift of “power and love and self-control.” Then we will be able to deal with the challenges of the pandemic “with the strength that comes from God” and be a witness to those around us, especially our own families.
- Father Pinto's inspirational homily was recorded live this morning during Mass at the Father Peyton Center. Please view the video on our Facebook page. (You don't need a Facebook account to view.)
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To view Rosary prayer and Mass streaming live, please visit our Facebook page at 11:30 am EDT, Monday – Friday. Please invite your loved ones to join us too! (You don't need a Facebook account to view.)
.jpg "Father Pinto Paul, C.S.C.")