Saint Athanase BAZZEKUKETTA

Saint Athanase BAZZEKUKETTA

Nom: BAZZEKUKETTA

Prénom: Athanase

Pays: Ouganda

Naissance:

Mort: 27.05.1886 à Nakiwubo

Etat: Laïc - Martyr du Groupe des 22 martyrs de l’Ouganda

Note: Thésaurier royal. Baptisé en 1885.

Béatification: 06.06.1920 à Rome par Benoît XV

Canonisation: 18.10.1964 à Rome par Paul VI

Fête: 3 juin

Réf. dans l’Osservatore Romano:

Réf. dans la Documentation Catholique: 1964 col.1345-1352

Kizza was a Muganda of the monkey (Nkima) clan. His father was Kafeero Kabaalu Ssebaggala. The mother was Namukwaya Kaddulibaale Nalongo of the Buffalo clan. The martyr was born at Kikuma near Mulajje Parish Buleemezi County.

Bazzekuketta Kizza was taken to the palace of King Mwanga II and became a page under the leadership of Charles Lwanga who soon instructed the boy to Catholicism.

Bazzekuketta was a clean, orderly, faithful, and obedient boy. He was selected to be in charge of the King’s ceremonial robes and ornaments.

Kizza was chosen to be in charge of the King’s treasury of money and ivory though he was still a boy.

While Bazzekuketta was performing his duties perfectly and taking the religious instructions seriously, King Mwanga started persecuting the Christians.

Monday night 16, November 1885 eighteen Catechumens, in fear of being killed without receiving baptism were baptized, Bazzekuketta included. He got the name Anthanasius. Joseph Mukasa Balikuddembe had been killed on 15th November 1885.

Anthanasius was arrested with his fellow Christians on Wednesday 26th May 1886. He was very happy and always eager to die for Christ. The next morning on their way to Namugongo, Mukaajanga the chief executioner asked, ”who would like to be killed where your Christian leader Balikuddembe was killed?” . At once Anthanasius answered,” here I am why delay me as if there is no death here, and take me all the way to Namugongo?”. Anthanasius was speared to death at Nakivubo where Balikuddembe was martyred on Thursday day morning 27th May, 1886 at the age of twenty.

Athanasius is a patron of those in charge of finance, treasury and banks.