St. Josephine Bakhita

St. Josephine Bakhita was a Sudanese slave who became a Catholic nun in Italy. Her life story of suffering and forgiveness made her a symbol of hope and human dignity.

St. Josephine Bakhita was born around 1869 in Darfur, Sudan. Her early life was shattered when she was kidnapped by Arab slave traders at about the age of 7. Given the name "Bakhita," meaning "fortunate," by her captors, she was sold and resold in the slave markets of Sudan more than a dozen times. During her captivity, she endured brutal beatings, humiliation, and torture, including being forcibly tattooed and scarred.

Eventually, she was bought by an Italian consul who took her to Italy, where she experienced kindness for the first time. There, she came into the care of the Canossian Sisters in Venice. Through their love and instruction, she came to learn about Christ. Deeply moved by the message of Christianity, she sought baptism and was baptized Josephine Margaret Bakhita in 1890.

When her former owner tried to reclaim her, the Italian courts ruled that slavery was illegal in Italy, and she was declared free. Choosing a life of religious devotion, she entered the Canossian Sisters and took her final vows in 1896. She spent the next 50 years in the convent at Schio, serving as a cook, sacristan, and porter. Her humility, deep prayer life, and radiant joy attracted many people to her.

Despite her painful past, Bakhita never expressed hatred toward her captors. Instead, she forgave them and testified to the transforming power of God’s love. In her later years, as her health failed, she would relive her painful past but always responded with gratitude for her eventual freedom in Christ.

St. Josephine Bakhita died on February 8, 1947. Her holiness was recognized far and wide, and Pope John Paul II canonized her in 2000. Today, she is the patron saint of Sudan and a symbol of hope for victims of slavery and human trafficking. Her feast day, February 8, is also the International Day of Prayer and Awareness Against Human Trafficking.

Feast Day

8-2-

Birth Date

--1869

Died Date

8-2-1947

Canonised Date

1-10-2000

Schio, Vicenza, Italy

St. Josephine Bakhita, you bore the wounds of slavery and never lost faith in God's love. Intercede for those who are oppressed, abused, or trafficked today. Help us to seek freedom in Christ and to live with compassion for the suffering. Amen.
ST. JOSEPHINE BAKHITA

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ST. JOSEPHINE BAKHITA

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