The relics are taken on procession in the celebrations of 3rd June
This article was composed with information taken from our archives et from the website of the Uganda Martyrs Shrine in Namugogo
On the 3rd of June we celebrate the Ugandan martyrs, a group of Christians who were killed because of their faith between 1885 and 1887 under the orders of King Mwanga of Buganda. In particular we remember the Namugongo Holocaust, that broke out on 25th May 1886 and lasted until the 3rd of June 1886, on the feast of the ascension, where martyrs were tortured and burned.
Their remains were long left unburied by the King’s orders as they were considered traitors. Six months later, three Christians, amid fears of being charged with treason, in cover of the night went to Namugongo and collected some remains. The relics were hidden by the White Fathers and finally, when Buganda stabilized politically, the box containing the relics was returned to Msgr. Henry Streicher, who was the Archbishop of Buganda. From 1915, the remains were stored at the Archbishop’s chapel, and in 1964 taken to Rome for the canonization ceremony.
When the current Martyrs Shrine was built, part of these relics was returned to Namugongo for veneration.
The history of their canonization is linked also with the White Sisters.
In 1941, Sister Philothy from the local religious congregation of Bannabikira Bwanda in Uganda was struck by a strange disease and had to be sent home to her brother for treatment. Her brother, Andrew Ziryawulamu of Kisubi Parish, took her to Dr. Ahmed, who confirmed that it was bubonic plague (Kawumpuli).
At the time there was no treatment for bubonic plague and death was certain. Sr. Philothy was quarantined at Rubaga convent in Kampala. When she passed on, she was buried at Rubaga by two White Sisters, Sr. Aloyse and Sr. Richildis. However, soon after the burial, the two nuns contracted the disease. Dr. Ahmed and his colleague, Dr. Reynolds, again prescribed a quarantine.
As the sisters were on their death bed, with no hopes of medical care, Msgr. Edward Michaud and Father Joseph Cabana, two White Fathers in Rubaga, immediately and passionately devoted a 3-day novena through the Uganda Martyrs over the sick nuns. The novena in honour of the Blessed Martyrs was held in Rubaga Cathedral and the Martyrs’ relics were placed on the dying Sisters.
After the protracted prayers for three days, the doctors were amazed to find both nuns had miraculously recovered. Rome commissioned specialists to analyze the diagnosis, medicines and interview the two doctors, Dr. Ahmed, a Muslim and Dr. Reynolds, an Anglican. The conclusion was that not only was the medicine the nuns were taking were ineffective against the plague, but even if it had been effective, it could not have produced results in such a short time.
