interesting facts about saint josephine bakhita

She also received the sacraments of her first holy communion and confirmation on the same day. She said, "during that time I could hear more and more clearly the gentle voice of the Lord, urging me to consecrate myself to God. Daily Prayer. Help all survivors find healing from their wounds. The woman had a dish of white flour, a dish of salt and a razor. [15] The Turkish general began making preparations to return to his homeland and sold his slaves. What did she do while she was ministering She ministered as a cook, seamstress, sacristan, and doorkeeper, living simply and lovingly. She was given to people she did not know, albeit with the promise of good treatment, but as she left Genoa her heart was in turmoil. Watch Two Suitcases: The Story of St. Josephine Bakhita, available to stream or on DVD from Amazon. The Canossian Sisters went to court on her behalf and helped her obtain her freedom. As she said: If I were to meet those who kidnapped me, or even those who tortured me, I would kneel down and kiss their hands. The Pope prayed to Saint Bakhita and asked that she intercede and assist trafficking victims. While she was in the custody of the sisters, she came to learn about God. It is interesting what Ida Zanolini, a lay Canossian woman who published Mother Bakhitas first biography, wrote about her. By the end of 1882, El-Obeid came under the threat of an attack of Mahdist revolutionaries. Daughter of St. Magdalene. To the girls who asked her if she wished to be born white she said no: for her everything her Master/her Lord had done was fine. The choices of love experienced by Bakhita first freed her, giving her the taste of comfort regarding her lost sisters, finding herself in a situation of unprecedented possibilities with regard to her loved ones. Saint Josephine, affectionately known as Bakhita (fortunate one), was born in the southern Sudan region of Darfur. Provide comfort to survivors of slavery and let them look to you as an example of hope The sisters answered her questions. She was gentle and charismatic, and was often referred to lovingly as the "little brown sister" or honorably as the "black mother.". For 10 years, this inheritance has been taken up by the Bakhita Committee which has now become an Association in order to continue the caring work that today Bakhita would have liked to carry out for her own people. For many years, Josephine Bakhita was a slave but her spirit was always free and eventually that spirit prevailed. Such was the trauma experienced that she forgot her birth name and her kidnappers gave her the name Bakhita meaning 'fortunate'. If you are one of our rare donors, you have our gratitude and we warmly thank you. She used to tell the teachers in the community "You teach catechism, I will stay in the chapel and pray for you that you may teach well.". He had destined me for better things." She served her convent humbly, cooking, embroidering, and sewing, and was responsible for attending the door of the convent to welcome visitors, where she was noted for her warm smile and hospitality. There, cared for and instructed by the Sisters, Bakhita encountered Christianity for the first time. [16] Two years later, when Legnani himself had to return to Italy, Bakhita begged to go with him. She had brothers, sisters, and loving parents. Newsletter Signup These three sacraments are the sacraments of initiation into the Church and were always given together in the early Church. Death: February 8, 1947. She was a member of the Daju people and her uncle was a tribal chief. New Subscription Bakhita says: "During all the years I stayed in that house, I do not recall a day that passed without some wound or other. Suakin on the Red Sea was besieged but remained in Anglo-Egyptian hands. In 1902 she was assigned to the Canossian convent at Schio, in the northern Italian province of Vicenza, where she spent the rest of her life. In 2000, she was declared a saint by the Roman Catholic Church. On December 1st, 1978, Pope John Paul II declared her venerable. Her body may have been devastated by cruelty, but not her soul, which was always aware of an innate dignity which only we can destroy in ourselves. A total of 114 intricate patterns were cut into her breasts, belly and into her right arm.[13][14]. When the child was about seven months old, Bakhita accompanied her to Suakin in Africa, where, in the hotel bought by the Michieli family, she experienced the awful conditions she would have fallen back into, had she stayed there. Hers was not the skin of an Italian aristocrat but rather a child kidnapped and forcibly relocated in the slave trade. Grateful to her teachers, she recalled, "Those holy mothers instructed me with heroic patience and introduced me to that God who from childhood I had felt in my heart without knowing who He was. [25], Bakhita's legacy is that transformation is possible through suffering. When Pope Francis enlightens us on social justice, to give us the joy of the Gospel, he seems to illustrate the program already carried out by Saint Bakhita that uses the word humanity to describe what, instead, was inhuman, such as the treatment of slaves. Over the next decade of enslavement, Josephine was passed from owner to owner, bought and sold so many times that she forgot her birth name. Copyright 2022 Catholic Online. Her story is noteworthy. We do not know her exact birthdate, but we know that she was born in the village of Olgossa, which is near Darfur, Sudan. Saint Bakhitas feast day is celebrated on February 8. and faith. One of her owners was a Turkish general who gave her to his wife and mother-in-law who both beat her daily. Zanini, Roberto Italo (2013). He had paid for her journey and had entrusted her to friends in Genoa, provided that they treated her well, thus guaranteeing her food, home and a job. Continue reading about St. Josephine Bakhita St. Josephine Bakhita St. Josephine Vannini St. Josephine Bakhita, in full Josephine Margaret Bakhita, also called Mother Josephine Bakhita, (born c. 1869, Olgossa, Darfur (now in Sudan)died February 8, 1947, Schio, Italy; canonized October 1, 2000; feast day February 8), Sudanese-born Roman Catholic saint who survived kidnapping and enslavement. 3) Her feast day marks an international day of prayer and awareness against human trafficking. Dagnino, pp. MISSION: As a girl, Bakhita would look up at the moon and stars, resolving to serve their Master. If you donate just $5.00, the price of your coffee, Catholic Online School could keep thriving. Her body lay on display for three days afterwards. At the end of 1884 they escaped from a besieged Khartoum with a friend, Augusto Michieli. She who worked under many masters was finally happy to address God as master and carry out everything that she believed to be Gods will for her. Saint Josephine Bakhita is the patron saint of Sudan and her feast day is celebrated on February 8. In her later years, she began to suffer physical pain and was forced to use a wheelchair. On that 8 February 1947, young and old still sought her for a greeting, to touch her hand, still soft and warm, and to receive a last caress from her: they wanted to hold her forever. Large crowds followed her hearse to the cemetery. Image credit: Saint Josephine Bakhita by unknown artist, unknown date. For the next 12 years she would be bought, sold and given away over a dozen times. [9], In El-Obeid, Bakhita was bought by a rich Arab who used her as a maid for his two daughters. [3][22] During the Second World War (19391945) she shared the fears and hopes of the townspeople, who considered her a saint and felt protected by her presence. Bakhita was drawn to the Catholic Church. In her final days she relived the agony of her enslavement and is said to have called out, Please, loosen the chains. On February 8, the Church commemorates the life of St. Josephine Bakhita, a Canossian Sister who was kidnapped and sold into slavery in Sudan. She left for the second time, a land she felt she would never see again. All materials contained on this site, whether written, audible or visual are the exclusive property of Catholic Online and are protected under U.S. and International copyright laws, Copyright 2022 Catholic Online. She was eventually assigned to a convent in Schio, Vicenza. Reception centres, training courses or places named after Saint Bakhita are being built throughout various parts of Italy. Saint Katharine Drexel was a contemplative in action whose work serving the poor inspires us today. When she died her tenderness transfused into her mortal flesh and carried on attracting people. Bakhita is a saint in the Catholic Church. The six Eucharistic celebrations of the Solemnity of Saint Bakhita in Schio, also recalled the sacrifices made for the cause by Don Antonio Doppio and Don Giacomo Bravo, who died in Sudan, the native land of Saint Bakhita, where they had gone to start solidarity projects. Read his story here. This is the secret of her inner freedom, of her upstanding will, of her courageous choices born of a hope which does not disappoint, but sustains faith and charity of heart. Saints for kids, Two Suitcases: The Story of St. Josephine Bakhita. She was born around 1869 in Darfur (now in western Sudan) in the village of Olgossa, west of Nyala and close to Mount Agilerei. In the new house in Schio she found herself dressed like the other Canossian sisters, but so different from them as to arouse curiosity and the desire to meet her. She was baptized in 1890 and given the name Josephine. You can read more about Elizabeth on her ATI leadership profile page. The Michielis brought Bakhita with them back to the Sudan where they stayed for nine months before returning to Italy. Surrounded by the sisters, she died at age 78. Bakhita died at 8:10 PM on 8 February 1947. Her own story, in turn, can serve as a balm for others. She was a woman of immense faith and forgiveness. Canonized: October 1, 2000 by Pope John Paul II. Everyone assured us that they had met her. With the help of the Canossian Sisters, she won her freedom, became a Christian, and joined their order. This caused the superior of the institute for baptismal candidates among the sisters to complain to Italian authorities on Josephine's behalf. Saint Gabriel Francis Possenti's feast day is February 28. You will need: colored construction . ATIs tools are designed to ensure that your efforts deliver effective results. He was a much kinder master and he did not beat her. Saint Josephine Margaret Bakhita was born around 1869 in the village of Olgossa in the Darfur region of Sudan. When speaking of her enslavement, she often professed she would thank her kidnappers. Intercede with God on their behalf Sadly, the news of her beatification in 1992 was censored in Sudan. She was five years old when her older sister was kidnapped and when Bakhita was about seven years old, she experienced the same tragedy herself. She became a novice at the Institute of St. Magdalene of Canossa on December 7, 1893, and took her final vows in 1896. Saint John Cassian's feast day is February 29. In Pope Francis Apostolic Exhortation Evangelii Gaudium, we grasped the indications of a path, that is, of a school of humanity, defined in the words of Romano Guardini, who calls human fullness the possibility to live humanly, equally shared with all those who are in the same place (cf. Her simplicity was convincing and danger was averted. Today is Saturday," probably hoping that this would cheer her because Saturday is the day of the week dedicated to Mary, mother of Jesus. She even received a new name at her baptism: Josephine Margaret Bakhita. Privacy Statement, Five ways for parents to prepare children for First Holy Communion, Four quick and crafty ways to celebrate Thanksgiving with Catholic kids, 9 tips for a successful family prayer time. Saint Josephine Bakhita A Woman of Faith and Forgiveness Born: 1869 in Sudan Died: 1947 in Italy Beatified: May 17, 1992 Canonized: October 1, 2000 Introduction February 8 is the feast day of Saint Josephine Bakhita. Every slave was always given a new name. 1751 Pinnacle Drive Suite 600 | McLean, Virginia 22102, National Human Trafficking Intelligence Center, Parent Coalition to End Human Trafficking. She was bought and sold at least twice during the grueling journey. Josephine Bakhita (c. 1869 - 8 February 1947) was a Sudanese-born former slave who became a Roman Catholic Canossian nun in Italy, living and working there for 45 years. She was born in Sudan, Africa to a loving, and prosperous family. Bakhita underwent the excruciating ordeal of tattooing. If Catholic Online has given you $5.00 worth of knowledge this year, take a minute to donate. Josephine was declared free on the grounds that slavery was not recognized in Italy and had been outlawed in Darfur before her birth. Her fourth owner was a Turkish general, and she had to serve his mother-in-law and his wife, who were cruel to their slaves. The history of her life inspires not passive acceptance but the firm resolve to work effectively to free girls and women from oppression and violence, and to return them to their dignity in the full exercise of their rights.. What happened to the Catholic Knights Hospitaller? The assignment was easy until she offended her owner's son, possibly for the crime of breaking a vase. Any unauthorized use, without prior written consent of Catholic Online is strictly forbidden and prohibited. These three sacraments are the sacraments of initiation into the Church and were always given together in the early Church. Everything in her reveals an inner order, a reflection of a healthy and good nature. Yes, she is a Catholic saint, but her story can serve as an inspiration to all, no matter what their religious beliefs may be. What is it that enslaves you? And although bombs fell on their village, not one citizen died. When Mimmina was old enough to be sent to a boarding school in Venice, Bakhita accompanied her. Bakhita converted to Christianity and was baptized and confirmed in 1890. Spend some time reflecting on areas of your life where you are not free. Copyright 2023 Eternal Word Television Network, Inc. Irondale, Alabama. Birth: 1869. We're not salespeople, but we depend on donations averaging $14.76 and fewer than 1% of readers give. Her new family also had dealings in Sudan had when her mistress decided to travel to Sudan without Josephine, she placed her in the custody of the Canossian Sisters in Venice. She was sold several times, and had eight masters, including the intermediaries, like the kidnappers, who sought the propitious opportunity to resell her for a greater profit. Despite the trauma that Bakhita endured, she was able to find direction and value in her life, which can serve as an example and a solace to all who suffer, especially those who have been exploited. Shop St. Josephine Bakhita. She used a wheelchair but she retained her cheerfulness, and if asked how she was, she would always smile and answer: "As the Master desires." Imitating Him, let us place our confidence not in riches, but in your love and embrace. Continue reading about St. Josephine Bakhita, St. Josephine Bakhita 14 Karat Gold Filled Pendant, St. Josephine Bakhita Pendant (14 Karat Gold Filled), Submit a Rosary Prayer Request to be Read Live Online. Due to her family lineage, she grew up happy and relatively prosperous, saying that as a child, she did not know suffering. The daughter of Sudan sold into slavery as a living piece of merchandise and yet still free. She told about how the general's wife ordered her to be scarred. He rejoiced at seeing her again. Despite the terrible things she had endured, Bakhita dedicated the rest of her life to serving God, her fellow sisters, and mankind; she was a much beloved, respected member of her community. The day when her life turned into a nightmare, that terrified 9-year-old girl forgot everything, even her . In 2019, Pope Francis drew attention to the scourge of human trafficking on Saint Bakhitas feast day and called upon government leaders worldwide to intervene and stop the trafficking of persons. Saint Magdalene of Canossa referred to Venice as a city of projects; also from Venice came Gods dream for Mother Bakhita, who arrived at the Canossian Institute. During World War II, the people of the village of Schio regarded her as their protector. In 1883, the Turkish general sold her to the Italian Vice Consul, Callisto Legani. The girls passed long hours telling one another about their families and how they had been kidnapped. Catholic Online is a Project of Your Catholic Voice Foundation, a Not-for-Profit Corporation. She is a shining ray of hope for human trafficking victims and an inspirational demonstration of how a victim can recover from their trauma and become whole again. If you donate just $5.00, or whatever you can, Catholic Online could keep thriving for years. Saint Josephine Bakhita, pray for us. During World War II, the people of the village of Schio regarded her as their protector. Her mistress spent three days trying to persuade her to leave the sisters, but Josephine remained steadfast. She left Venice and arrived in Schio in 1902, after simply replying: Yes, Father, to the question concerning her transfer. If anyone asked her how she was, she would reply, "As the master desires.". For the next 12 years she would be bought, sold and given away over a dozen times. She spent so much time in captivity that she forgot her original name. In her later years, she began to suffer physical pain and was forced to use a wheelchair. We serve youth, parents, and those on the frontlines of combatting human trafficking. Her remains were translated to the Church of the Holy Family of the Canossian convent of Schio in 1969. Mothers lifted her hands and placed them on the heads of their children, praying for her blessing. This ironic new name did not describe the brutal and humiliating treatment Bakhita received on a daily basis. St. Josephine Bakhita, Virgin. Canonized: October 1, 2000 by Pope John Paul II. Pope John Paul II canonized Josephine Bakhita in 2000. In 1883 she was sold to an Italian consul in Khartoum, Callisto Legnani, who treated her more humanely. She died on 8 February 1947 in the country of Italy, in the city of Vincenza. Saint Josephine Margaret Bakhita was born around 1869 in the village of Olgossa in the Darfur region of Sudan. Pope Francis visits with children in Budapest with visual impairments. She was kidnapped by slave traders at the age of seven; they gave her the name Bakhita, which means lucky. She died in 1947 in Italy. Saint of the Day for Monday, May 1st, 2023. She was declared free. Known as Mimmina, she was treated like a daughter by Bakhita. Her first owner, a wealthy Arab, gave her to his daughters as a maid. After that, she was sold. Josephine entered the Institute of St. Magdalene of Canossa in 1893 and made her profession three years later. They write new content and verify and edit content received from contributors. February 8 is the feast day of Saint Josephine Bakhita. In 2000, she was declared a saint by the Roman Catholic Church. It was then that we felt how in these years the passage from testimony to devotion was taking place. 1) Sudanese-Italian Canossian nun who survived 12 years of brutal slavery. Sadly, the news of her beatification in 1992 was censored in Sudan. This caused the superior of the institute for baptismal candidates among the sisters to complain to Italian authorities on Josephine's behalf. She would suffer a total of 114 scars from this abuse. Saint Josephine Margaret Bakhita was born around 1869 in the village of Olgossa in the Darfur region of Sudan .
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