Faith Under Pressure · Week 1 · Grades 3–5
Guided Notes: St. Charles Lwanga
- Name
- Date
- Class
Follow along as your teacher presents. Fill in each section when its slide is on the screen.
A page at the royal court
Charles Lwanga was born around 1860 in the kingdom of Buganda. Today it is part of the country of blank 1, in East Africa. Its people are called the Baganda.
Buganda was a strong and well-organized kingdom. Its king was called the blank 2. Boys and young men served at his court as pages, which was a great honor.
Catholic priests came to Buganda in blank 3. Charles heard about Jesus and wanted to follow him. He became the leader of the pages and was baptized in 1885.
Words to know
Write what each word means.
| Word | What it means |
|---|---|
| Page | Write your answer |
| Kabaka | Write your answer |
| Baptism | Write your answer |
| Martyr | Write your answer |
| Canonized | Write your answer |
Faithful together
Charles looked after the younger pages. He taught them about Jesus and kept them safe. The youngest was a boy named Kizito, who was about blank 4.
The king, Kabaka Mwanga, demanded things that were wrong. He also wanted the blank 5 to give up their faith. Charles and his friends refused.
The night before they were arrested, Charles baptized Kizito and some of the other pages.
On June 3, blank 6, Charles and many of his companions gave their lives for Jesus at a place called Namugongo.
Quick check
What was Charles Lwanga’s job at the royal court? Circle one.
- A He cooked meals for the king
- B He was the leader of the pages
- C He was a soldier in the army
- D He was a priest for the court
Follow or refuse?
Charles obeyed in good things and refused wrong things. Sort each request: would you go along, or say no and tell an adult? Check one box for each.
| Item | Good to go along | Say no and tell an adult |
|---|---|---|
| A teacher asks you to help a new student | ||
| An older kid dares you to post a mean picture | ||
| A coach asks the team to clean up the field | ||
| Someone in a game chat asks for your address | ||
| A parent asks you to turn off the tablet | ||
| A friend says to keep a secret that feels wrong |
Quick check
What did Charles do for Kizito before they were arrested? Circle one.
- A He sent him far away
- B He gave him a crown
- C He taught him to read
- D He baptized him
Think, pair, share
Charles protected the younger pages and helped them say no to what was wrong. Who are the younger kids you could look out for, at school and online?
Think: my idea before we talk
Sentence starters: “A younger kid I could look out for is ...”“If I saw something wrong in a game or chat, I could ...”“It is easier to say no when ...”
Pair: something my partner said
Let us pray
Jesus, give us brave and honest hearts.
Help us say no to what is wrong and look after each other.
St. Charles Lwanga, pray for us.
St. Kizito, pray for us.
Amen.
My own prayer or intention:
Well done!
Pope Paul VI canonized Charles Lwanga and his 21 companions in 1964. Their feast day is June 3.
One thing I learned today:
One question I still have:
Challenge: This week, look out for one younger child. If you see something wrong, in person or on a screen, tell a trusted adult.