On the same day, she was also confirmed and received Holy Communion from Archbishop Giuseppe Sarto, the Cardinal Patriarch of Venice and later Pope Pius X. Bakhita's skin underwent the painful and horrendous Sudanese custom of scarring slaves - where a pattern was cut into the skin with a razor. ", After prayer and discernment, Josephine joined the religious order, pronouncing her religious vows on 8 December 1896 at the age of 27. LIVED: Bakhita was born in 1869 in Sudan. When she died her tenderness transfused into her mortal flesh and carried on attracting people. After the years of trauma that she endured, she did not remember the name her parents had given her and went by Bakhita from then on. Her story is noteworthy. Caritas Bakhita House in London, which provides accommodation and support for women escaping human trafficking, is named in her honour. Her kidnappers gave her the name Bakhita, meaning "fortunate. [25], Bakhita's legacy is that transformation is possible through suffering. This project was carried out in collaboration between the municipality and the diocesan Caritas. We increase awareness and teach you how to intercept trafficking as early as possible. She soon became well loved by the children attending the sisters school and the local citizens. On December 1st, 1978, Pope John Paul II declared her venerable. He canonized her on October 1, 2000. Her historical experience suggests anthropological and spiritual reflections that amazingly manifest the divine imprint of the Creator in a good heart which the harshness of slavery, torture and tireless work have revealed almost as a precious metal purified by fire. Find out where they obtain services in your community, and volunteer to help. Bakhita Charities for Southern Africa, Inc. 2014 by Bakhita Charities Created with wix.com, 2014 by Bakhita Charities Created with w. The Patriarch of Venice was informed, and he sought the advice of the Kings attorney. Beatified: May 17, 1992 According to Josephine, she had always known about God, who created all things, but she did not know who He was. Our universal sister was given back to us. Assisted suicide in the United States: Where is it legal? For had she not been kidnapped, she might never have come to know Jesus Christ and entered His Church. Her body lay on display for three days afterwards. Shop St. Josephine Bakhita. The girls passed long hours telling one another about their families and how they had been kidnapped. To this end, we invite you to learn more about the life of an extraordinary trafficking survivor from history. It's a little awkward to ask, but we need your help. 6 Facts About St Josephine Bakhita 1) Sudanese-Italian Canossian nun who survived 12 years of brutal slavery. She also received the sacraments of her first holy communion and confirmation on the same day. Those who lived with her still permit us to meet her: smiling like a mother, serene and calm because she has no enemies while expressing herself with affectionate tenderness. Born in 19 th century Sudan, Josephine Bakhita was the furthest thing from Italian. Continue reading about St. Josephine Bakhita St. Josephine Bakhita St. Josephine Vannini Public Domain via Wikimedia. While Mimmina was being instructed, Josephine felt drawn to the Catholic Church. Daughter of St. Magdalene. Five interesting facts about St. Josephine Bakhita is she was a former slave who became a Canossian Religious sister in Italy. Our mistress stood behind us, whip in hand. 6 Intriguing Facts About the Amazing & Courageous St. Josephine Bakhita St. Josephine Bakhita - Saints & Angels - Catholic Online (ca. 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. She spent so much time in captivity that she forgot her original name. Copyright 2022 Catholic Online. We serve youth, parents, and those on the frontlines of combatting human trafficking. She was declared free. 5 things the Catholic woman should keep in her purse, St. Marculf: Saint of the Day for Monday, May 01, 2023, To Saint Peregrine: Prayer of the Day for Monday, May 01, 2023. She was beatified on May 17, 1992, by Pope John Paul II and canonized by him on October 1, 2000. When a wound from the whip began to heal, other blows would pour down on me. 'Bakhita' was not the name she received from her parents at birth. Two years later, he took Josephine to Italy and gave her to his friend Augusto Michieli. Saint Josephine Margaret Bakhita was born around 1869 in the village of Olgossa in the Darfur region of Sudan. The map of Sudan here shows the village of Olgossa (. The little girl had never worn a dress until the day two scowling men appeared in the fields, blocking her path and holding a knife to her side, kidnapping her much as one might snatch a hen from its coop. She was resold several times, finally in 1883 to Callisto Legnani, Italian consul in Khartoum, Sudan. https://www.britannica.com/biography/Josephine-Bakhita, Pope Francis venerating St. Josephine Bakhita. Her new owners, needing to do business in Sudan, temporarily placed her and their daughter in the custody of the Canossian Sisters at the Institute of the Catechumens in Venice in 1888. St. Josephine BakhitaA Model of Faith. She was eventually assigned to a convent in Schio, Vicenza. She was surrounded by a loving family of three brothers and three sisters; as she says in her autobiography: "I lived a very happy and carefree life, without knowing what suffering was".[5]. If you donate just $5.00, the price of your coffee, Catholic Online School could keep thriving. She has been adopted as the patron saint of modern Sudan and human trafficking survivors. (Fortunata is the Latin translation for her Arabic name, Bakhita). After the years of trauma that she endured, she did not remember the name her parents had given her and went by Bakhita from then on. you found true redemption in your encounter with Christ and his Church. Bakhita herself never mentions this incident. Activity: The Kindness Chain. They were met there by Augusto Michieli's wife, Maria Turina Michieli, to whom Legnani gave ownership of Bakhita. What happened to the Catholic Knights Hospitaller? Author and Publisher - Catholic Online Her simplicity was convincing and danger was averted. For three days, her body lay in repose while thousands of people arrived to pay their respects. On this World Day Against Trafficking in Persons, as organizations, governments, and individuals all over the world pause to rededicate themselves to their anti-trafficking goals, it is important that we listen to the stories of survivors and let them guide us in our work. 800-621-1008 Please review our Privacy Policy and Terms and Conditions. Bakhita Charities is named after her. [18] For the first time in her life, Bakhita found herself in control of her own destiny, and she chose to remain with the Canossians. Thank you. After a long and dangerous journey across Sudan, the Red Sea, and the Mediterranean, they arrived in Italy. This is the awareness of those who recognize in her a prophecy for these times of migration flows towards Italy, a land considered by many as the doorway to Europe. What a great grace it is to know God!. Dagnino, pp. [15] The Turkish general began making preparations to return to his homeland and sold his slaves. St Josephine Bakhita, also known as 'Mother Moretta' was kidnapped at the age of nine and sold into slavery. It was there that Bakhita first heard the gospel and believed that it was Gods will that she be free. Some of the testimonies collected were written by those who had known her in the family, for having received graces from her, for having heard about her from friends. Saint Josephine Bakhita is the patron saint of Sudan and her feast day is celebrated on February 8. As a slave, her experiences varied from fair treatment to cruel. Josephine Bakhita was born around 1869 in Sudan. As her mistress watched, ready with a whip, another woman drew patterns on her skin with flour, then cut into her flesh with a blade. 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. With the help of the Canossian Sisters, she won her freedom, became a Christian, and joined their order. With your help we can eradicate human trafficking in our lifetime. Saint Josephine Bakhita | EWTN Flogging and maltreatment were part of her daily life. She was deeply moved by her time with the sisters and discerned a call to follow Christ. Due to her family lineage, she grew up happy and relatively prosperous, saying that as a child, she did not know suffering. Josephine Bakhita entered the convent in 1893 and took her vows December 8, 1896. He had destined me for better things." 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. Her black skin revealed different ancestry and a different life experience. Children who are now elderly, told us to call her Mother Moretta, because this is her name for us. For, if these things had not happened, I would not have been a Christian and a religious today". Who is St. Josephine Bakhita? 5 Lessons from a 20th Century Saint - FOCUS Read his story here. For the first time in her life, Josephine was free and could choose what to do with her life. She is the only saint originally from Sudan and she is now the patron saint of Sudan.