St. Charles Lwanga and Companions, martyrs - Canadian Catholic School Trustees 50th Anniversary - Last 1st Thursday in the Year of the Priest

One of 22 Ugandan martyrs, Charles Lwanga is the patron of youth and Catholic action in most of tropical Africa.

He protected his fellow pages (aged 13 to 30) from the homosexual demands of the Bagandan ruler, Mwanga, and encouraged and instructed them in the Catholic faith during their imprisonment for refusing the ruler’s demands.

For his own unwillingness to submit to the immoral acts and his efforts to safeguard the faith of his friends, Charles was burned to death at Namugongo on June 3, 1886, by Mwanga’s order.

Charles first learned of Christ’s teachings from two retainers in the court of Chief Mawulugungu. While a catechumen, he entered the royal household as assistant to Joseph Mukaso, head of the court pages.

On the night of Mukaso’s martyrdom for encouraging the African youths to resist Mwanga, Charles requested and received Baptism. Imprisoned with his friends, Charles’s courage and belief in God inspired them to remain chaste and faithful.

When Pope Paul VI canonized these 22 martyrs on October 18, 1964, he referred to the Anglican pages martyred for the same reason.

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CANADIAN CATHOLIC SCHOOL TRUSTEES ASSOCIATION ANNUAL CONVENTION

Here is how the CCSTA's website describes their 50th annual convention beginning today and running through Saturday evening:

OTTAWA beckons, as the Canadian Catholic School Trustees’ Association (CCSTA) prepares for the 50th Annual General Meeting and Convention on June 3-5, 2010. The theme for the convention is 50 Years – A Legacy of Faith, celebrating CCSTA’s journey in providing a forum for each trustee to celebrate the many relationships and partnerships that make Canadian Catholic Education such a precious treasure.

The Convention will be held in the historic Fairmont Château Laurier Hotel, a world-famous establishment overlooking the Ottawa River and the Parliament Buildings. Ottawa is a city without parallel in early June. The streets are awash with culture - picturesque waterways, magnificent tulip gardens, fine dining and entertainment, and quiet scenic drives and bike paths, provide leisure activities for all. Did we mention food? Ottawa is known for its cosmopolitan eateries - delegates and guests will enjoy a fusion of unique local, Canadian and international flavours.

This year’s planners have put together a program to suit a variety of tastes. If you have never been to one of CCSTA’s conventions, you will find an edifying mix of keynote speakers who will engage and inspire. You will be charmed by our student performance at the Opening Ceremony, and the uplifting choral groups during the convention. Our entertainment program will have you standing on your feet so come prepared to shake, rattle and roll, or simply be entertained.

And finally, the convention will conclude with a Eucharistic Celebration at Notre-Dame Basilica on Sussex Drive, followed by a Gala banquet and entertainment in the Château Laurier Ballroom.

This website will keep you up-to-date with all of the resources you need to prepare yourself for this special event. Come to celebrate, to learn, to see old friends and make new ones……..but come!

50 Years - A Legacy of Faith/ 50 ANs - Un héritage de foi promises to be a momentous occasion.

Welcome to the Capital and the Archdiocese of Ottawa!

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YEAR OF THE PRIEST, 1ST THURSDAY OF JUNE

In this year dedicated to priests and prayer for priests, the Church has provided a special plenary indulgence on the first Thursdays of each month.

For the faithful, a plenary indulgence can be obtained on the opening and closing days of the Year for Priests, on the 150th anniversary of the death of St. Jean-Marie Vianney, on the first Thursday of the month, or on any other day established by the ordinaries of particular places for the good of the faithful.



To obtain the indulgence one must attend Mass in an oratory or Church and offer prayers to "Jesus Christ, supreme and eternal Priest, for the priests of the Church, or perform any good work to sanctify and mould them to his heart."

The conditions for the faithful for earning a plenary indulgence are to have gone to confession and prayed for the intentions designated by the Pope.

This is the last 1st Thursday in the Year for Priests. The last opportunity for this indulgence with be the final day of the Year for Priests, next Friday, June 1, the Solemnity of the Sacred Heart of Jesus.

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Anniversary of POPE JOHN XXIII's Death

I recall the news of the death of "Good Pope John" on this day in 1963; I was a second year novice helping prepare the grounds of the Martyrs Shrine in Midland, ON for the season of pilgrims and visitors.

Whether I was sacristan or for some other reason I was responsible for tolling the Shrine's bells to mark the news of the Holy Father's passing. Since his beatification, his remains have been moved up to the main floor of St. Peter's Vatican Basilica where Mass may be celebrated and his intercession with the Lord invoked.