06/02/2026
Connect: The Martyrs of Uganda (d.1886) are honored today on the Episcopal Church's Liturgical Calendar while the Diocesan Cycle of Prayer remembers, on the anniversary of their ordination to the priesthood, Richard Busch (1960), Judith Stevens (1988), Bud Williams (1989), and Aimee Eyer-Delevett (2000).
Reflect: "Christianity was introduced to Uganda by Anglican and Roman Catholic missionaries in the 19th century. They were well-received by the powerful king of Buganda, Mutesa. However, he was not converted, and he was succeeded by King Mwanga, a degenerate and perverse individual who sought a return to primitive animism. He expelled missionaries and began systematically terrorizing the native Christians. Many were flogged and mutilated. In 1884 three youths were burned to death for their faith. They were said to have approached martyrdom singing the favorite Swahili hymn, “Daily, daily sing the praises.” We do not know how many Christians died in this persecution but, between May 25 and June 3, 1886, at least 32 were martyred, most of them on a great pyre at Namugongo." -- Forward Movement; more here: https://prayer.forwardmovement.org/calendar/the-martyrs-of-uganda
Act: Let us pray today's collect, "O God, by your providence the blood of the martyrs is the seed of the Church: Grant that we who remember before you the blessed martyrs of Uganda, may, like them, be steadfast in our faith in Jesus Christ, to whom they gave obedience, even to death, and by their sacrifice brought forth a plentiful harvest; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen."
Image: Martyrs of Uganda, holy card based with detail of painting by Albert Wider, 1962.
