St Charles and twelve companions were martyred in Uganda on 3 June 1886. As he was being burnt, St Charles said to the man carrying out the burning, ‘It is as if you are pouring water on me. Please repent and become a Christian like me’. It seems that the martyrdom was like a second baptism.

We pray today for all who are persecuted for their faith in these challenging times, and may God bless in your own witness.