interesting facts about saint josephine bakhita

Renew Your Subscription This was the school of the Creator that she attended after the school of her family, which she always longed for. If you donate just $5.00, the price of your coffee, Catholic Online School could keep thriving. Bakhita converted to Christianity and was baptized and confirmed in 1890. Her kidnappers gave her the name Bakhita, meaning "fortunate. Finally in possession of her human autonomy for the first time in her adult life, Josephine chose to remain with the Canossian Sisters. Josephine entered the Institute of St. Magdalene of Canossa in 1893 and made her profession three years later. She would suffer a total of 114 scars from this abuse. It was that freedom of spirit that allowed her to follow her heart and live her true vocation. Her constant smile, humility and simplicity won peoples hearts. For the first time in her life, Josephine was free and could choose what to do with her life. As a slave, her experiences varied from fair treatment to cruel. Copyright 2022 Catholic Online. Since the villa in Zianigo was already sold, Bakhita and Mimmina needed a temporary place to stay while Micheli went to Sudan without them. She rubbed the wounds with salt to make the scars permanent. . With the help of the Canossian Sisters, she won her freedom, became a Christian, and joined their order. She passed away on February 8, 1947. Although Bakhita never learned to read and write, she became well versed in scripture and told her story, which became her astounding biography. Bakhita is a saint in the Catholic Church. Saint Josephine Bakhita, pray for us. Bakhita lived and worked in various locations in Africa until an Italian consul bought her and moved his family back to their hometown of Schio, Italy. 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. ATIs tools are designed to ensure that your efforts deliver effective results. When it was time for him to return to Italy, she begged to be taken with him, and he agreed. Slaves also served to vent the anger of their masters who found sadistic pleasure in hearing them cry out in pain. She was given away to another family as a gift and she served them as a nanny. Corrections? 1751 Pinnacle Drive Suite 600 | McLean, Virginia 22102, National Human Trafficking Intelligence Center, Parent Coalition to End Human Trafficking. As punishment, she was beaten so severely she was incapacitated for a month. Continue reading about St. Josephine Bakhita St. Josephine Bakhita St. Josephine Vannini She would suffer a total of 114 scars from this abuse. 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. 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. He had destined me for better things." Born: 1869 in Sudan Bombs did not spare Schio, but the war passed without a single casualty. Oh St. Bakhita, assist all those who are trapped in a She is the only saint originally from Sudan and she is now the patron saint of Sudan. On the evening of February 8, 1947, Josephine spoke her last words, "Our Lady, Our Lady!" https://www.britannica.com/biography/Josephine-Bakhita, Pope Francis venerating St. Josephine Bakhita. Her body lay on display for three days afterwards. She was baptized in 1890 and given the name Josephine. On 1 October 2000, she was canonized as Saint Josephine Bakhita. Birth: 1869. The Archbishop who gave her the sacraments was none other than Giusseppe Sarto, the Cardinal Patriarch of Venice, who would later become Pope Pius X. Josephine became a novice with the CanossianDaughters of Charity religious order on December 7, 1893, and took her final vows on December 8, 1896. Read his story here. For, if these things had not happened, I would not have been a Christian and a religious today". Gift Subscription Indeed, she spent twelve years in cruel slavery. 2) The name 'Bakhita' was given to her by her ensalver, it means "lucky" or "fortunate". Our mistress stood behind us, whip in hand. She was eventually assigned to a convent in Schio, Vicenza. As punishment, she was beaten so severely she was incapacitated for a month. Her trauma was so great that she forgot her birth name and her kidnappers gave her the name Bakhita which means fortunate. She then remained in the catechumenate for four more years. Forced to walk 600 miles to southern Sudan, she was bought and sold before arriving in El Obeid. We're not salespeople, but we depend on donations averaging $14.76 and fewer than 1% of readers give. [25], Bakhita's legacy is that transformation is possible through suffering. A total of 114 intricate patterns were cut into her breasts, belly and into her right arm.[13][14]. The judge concluded that since slavery was illegal in Italy, she had actually been free since 1885. She was seven years old when her good heart experienced the pain of seeing her companions unjustly suffer as slaves. You can read more about Elizabeth on her ATI leadership profile page. Josephine wrote that as soon as one wound would heal, they would inflict another. When visited and asked how she was, shed respond: "As the Master desires.". Meet St. Josephine Bakhita! While she was in the custody of the sisters, she came to learn about God. When Mimmina was old enough to be sent to a boarding school in Venice, Bakhita accompanied her. [24], The petitions for her canonization began immediately, and the process commenced by Pope John XXIII in 1959, twelve years after her death. One of her owners was a Turkish general who gave her to his wife and mother-in-law who both beat her daily. Saint Bakhitas feast day is celebrated on February 8. The choice of her freedom implied a priority of affection, which made her decide not to lose what remains forever; hers was the wisdom of the small and pure of heart who see God. Saint Alexander's feast day is February 26. Bakhita's skin underwent the painful and horrendous Sudanese custom of scarring slaves - where a pattern was cut into the skin with a razor. Josephine Bakhita is the Patron Saint of Human Trafficking. For the rest of her life, Bakhita remained in Italy and lived as a free woman. Hi readers, it seems you use Catholic Online a lot; that's great! Josephine Bakhita was made a saint on by October 1, 2000 by Pope John Paul ll. 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. Bakhita sought humanity and discovered that she longed for a good master, like the One who cares for all beautiful things: the sky, the stars, the earth, flowers. These three sacraments are the sacraments of initiation into the Church and were always given together in the early Church. She is the patron saint of Sudan and of victims of human trafficking. Copyright 2022 Catholic Online. This decentralization from herself manifested a creative generosity; for this was already the beginning of a path of redemption that rooted altruism in her. Canonized: October 1, 2000 by Pope John Paul II. Born in the village of Olgossa (Darfur, Sudan) in 1869, Bakhita had a twin sister, she was loved and she lived peacefully. The Canossian Sisters went to court on her behalf and helped her obtain her freedom. 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. Saint Bakhita seems to be a made-to-measure saint to comfort the peace and reconciliation workers of our time. All rights reserved. Her new owners took her to their family villa at Zianigo, near Mirano, Veneto, about 25km (16mi) west of Venice. During the ensuing court case, the Canossian Sisters and the patriarch of Venice intervened on Josephines behalf. The case went to court, and the court found that slavery had been outlawed in Sudan before Josephine was born, so she could not be lawfully made slave. But, she felt the separation to such an extent that with trembling lips and shining eyes she listened to the stories of the soldiers returning from Africa, informing her of their experience there, of the situation of her people. February 8, 2023. What happened to the Catholic Knights Hospitaller? When Mrs. Michieli returned to fetch her daughter and the enslaved nanny, Josephine resolutely refused to leave the institute. Biography [ edit] Early life [ edit] 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. 6 Facts About St Josephine Bakhita 1) Sudanese-Italian Canossian nun who survived 12 years of brutal slavery. Newsletter Signup February 8 is the feast day of Saint Josephine Bakhita. She was sold not just once, but multiple times. If you have already donated, we sincerely thank you. 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. If you donate just $5.00, or whatever you can, Catholic Online could keep thriving for years. Her own story, in turn, can serve as a balm for others. The consul was her guarantee. They brought her back to Italy to work as a maid and care giver to their baby, Mimmina. They ran through the wilderness all night, terrified of being caught and even more terrified of the roars of wild beasts; whenever the animals came too close, they took shelter in a tree. Everyone assured us that they had met her. 6 Facts About St Josephine Bakhita. It was during this time that she was introduced to formal religion and came to know the Daughters of Charity of Canossa, or the Canossian Sisters. Saint Bakhita lived long ago. Find out where they obtain services in your community, and volunteer to help. Bakhita says: "During all the years I stayed in that house, I do not recall a day that passed without some wound or other. In 2000, she was declared a saint by the Roman Catholic Church. He had destined me for better things.. Language links are at the top of the page across from the title. This ironic new name did not describe the brutal and humiliating treatment Bakhita received on a daily basis. Her story is noteworthy. 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. How can you, your family, or an organization you belong to reach out in solidarity. "Rejoice, all of Africa! 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. Born in Olgossa in the Darfur region of southern Sudan, Josephine was kidnapped at the age of 7, sold into slavery and given the name Bakhita, which means fortunate. 3) Her feast day marks an international day of prayer and awareness against human trafficking. Your email address will not be published. (Fortunata is the Latin translation for her Arabic name, Bakhita). Born in 19 th century Sudan, Josephine Bakhita was the furthest thing from Italian. The woman had a dish of white flour, a dish of salt and a razor. Bakhita wanted to become a Christian, to receive baptism. 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 has her M.S. Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree. 1869 - 8 February 1947), was a Sudanese - Italian Canossian religious sister who lived in Italy for 45 years, after having been a slave in Sudan. Mothers lifted her hands and placed them on the heads of their children, praying for her blessing. Caritas Bakhita House in London, which provides accommodation and support for women escaping human trafficking, is named in her honour. The first steps toward her beatification began in 1959. [6][7][8] She was also forcibly converted to Islam. Everyone plays a rolein helping to end human trafficking. Help all survivors find healing from their wounds. Salt was poured into each of the wounds. She was also known as Mother Moretta, our Black Mother. As for many migrants today, she explained to those who asked her the reason for her choices, that if she had given in to the insistence to return to her land, she would have lost body and soul. After that, she was sold. Daily Prayer. According to Josephine, she had always known about God, who created all things, but she did not know who He was. Saint Josephine Margaret Bakhita was born around 1869 in the village of Olgossa in the Darfur region of Sudan. The assignment was easy until she offended her owner's son, possibly for the crime of breaking a vase. Imitating Him, let us place our confidence not in riches, but in your love and embrace. -. 'Bakhita' was not the name she received from her parents at birth. When speaking of her enslavement, she often professed she would thank her kidnappers. " Her life in captivity wasn't quite so. If you are one of our rare donors, you have our gratitude and we warmly thank you. She spent so much time in captivity that she forgot her original name. She chose to remain with the Canossian Sisters. 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. Hi readers, it seems you use Catholic Online a lot; that's great! For the first time in her life, Josephine was free and could choose what to do with her life. The Canossian Sisters went to court on her behalf and helped her obtain her freedom. For many years, Josephine Bakhita was a slave but her spirit was always free and eventually that spirit prevailed. Indeed, there are over 30,000 faithful who have been coming annually to Schio to [visit] Saint Bakhita from every region of Italy and from all the continents. I thought I would die, especially when salt was poured in the wounds it was by a miracle of God I didn't die. 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. you found true redemption in your encounter with Christ and his Church. On 17 May, 1992, she was proclaimed blessed, and on 1 October of the Great Jubilee of the Year 2000 she was made a saint by John Paul II. During World War II, the people of the village of Schio regarded her as their protector. Renew your gift subscription Saint Katharine Drexel was a contemplative in action whose work serving the poor inspires us today. When her mistress returned from Sudan, Josephine refused to leave. Hers was not the skin of an Italian aristocrat but rather a child kidnapped and forcibly relocated in the slave trade. The sisters answered her questions. 1) Sudanese-Italian Canossian nun who survived 12 years of brutal slavery. Any unauthorized use, without prior written consent of Catholic Online is strictly forbidden and prohibited. 2023 Loyola Press. He did not waver and was adamant that Bakhita was free and had the right to choose, since slavery no longer existed in Italy. She was a source of encouragement. By the end of 1888, Turina Michieli wanted to see her husband in Sudan even though land transactions were unfinished. Bakhita Charities is named after her. It wasnt long before Bakhita realized they were lost. Her first owner, a wealthy Arab, gave her to his daughters as a maid. Three fundamental passages: relationships are formed from an encounter which make us a people. He rejoiced at seeing her again. For the event, some Canossian sisters travelled from Verona to hold a vigil with young people [with the theme]: A light in the night against human trafficking. Continue reading about St. Josephine Bakhita, St. Josephine Bakhita Sterling Silver Oval Pendant, St. Josephine Bakhita Pendant (14 Karat Gold Filled), Submit a Rosary Prayer Request to be Read Live Online. It's a little awkward to ask, but we need your help. Indeed, realizing that she could not return home, little Bakhita, lifted up her innocent face and saw God. If you donate just $5.00, the price of your coffee, Catholic Online School could keep thriving. But just nine months later, Pope John Paul II visited Sudan and honored her publicly. Her life was forever altered when she was kidnapped from her family as a young child and enslaved by Arab slave traders, likely in early 1877. He canonized her on October 1, 2000. And although bombs fell on their village, not one citizen died. Her sacraments were administered by Archbishop Giuseppe Sarto, who would later become Pope Pius X. Those whom man enslaves, let God set free. The colour of her skin had either frightened or attracted the little ones, who thought she was made of chocolate, and intrigued the grown-ups, who had never seen people of other ethnic groups; but that very colour became the privilege given them to have known and loved someone who was different, and to receive love in return. She rubbed the wounds with salt to make the scars permanent. But the girls had no idea where they were going. Yes, she is a Catholic saint, but her story can serve as an inspiration to all, no matter what their religious beliefs may be. She was eventually assigned to a convent in Schio, Vicenza. An example followed by her successors, who pointed her out both to scholars and the poor, declaring her patroness of the victims and those who work to free people from all slavery, touching the flesh of Christ in those they serve. She was a member of the Daju people and her uncle was a tribal chief. She was baptized and confirmed in 1890, taking the name Josephine. Spend some time reflecting on areas of your life where you are not free. He canonized her on October 1, 2000. 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. Bakhita knew the reality of being a slave, an immigrant, and a spiritual seeker. For had she not been kidnapped, she might never have come to know Jesus Christ and entered His Church. Saint Josephine Bakhita is the patron saint of Sudan and her feast day is celebrated on February 8. [15] The Turkish general began making preparations to return to his homeland and sold his slaves. 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.". Bakhita remained in the catechumenate where she experienced the call . This project was carried out in collaboration between the municipality and the diocesan Caritas. Her first owner, a wealthy Arab, gave her to his daughters as a maid. Under their care, Josephine was drawn to the Roman Catholic Church. On February 8, the Church commemorates the life of St. Josephine Bakhita, a Canossian Sister who was kidnapped and sold into slavery in Sudan. Saint Bakhita lived long ago. On 17 May 1992, she was declared Blessed and given 8 February as her feast day. Suakin on the Red Sea was besieged but remained in Anglo-Egyptian hands. While she was in the custody of the sisters, she came to learn about God. 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. This caused the superior of the institute for baptismal candidates among the sisters to complain to Italian authorities on Josephine's behalf. Melissa Petruzzello is Associate Editor of Plant and Environmental Science and covers a range of content from plants, algae, and fungi, to renewable energy and environmental engineering. Even while she was outwardly denied freedom and human dignity, her spirit was free. When she died her tenderness transfused into her mortal flesh and carried on attracting people. What is it that enslaves you? She became a novice at the Institute of St. Magdalene of Canossa on December 7, 1893, and took her final vows in 1896. Not a a day went by without wounds being inflicted on her body. Reception centres, training courses or places named after Saint Bakhita are being built throughout various parts of Italy. Image credit: Saint Josephine Bakhita by unknown artist, unknown date. She was bought and sold at least twice during the grueling journey. "It is an act of justice for the rich to help the poor." Saint Josephine, affectionately known as Bakhita ("fortunate one"), was born in the southern Sudan region of Darfur. Bakhita Charities for Southern Africa, Inc. 2014 by Bakhita Charities Created with wix.com, 2014 by Bakhita Charities Created with w. 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]. Large crowds followed her hearse to the cemetery. Saint John Cassian's feast day is February 29. She said, "A woman skilled in this cruel art came to the general's house. [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. Seeing no one around, they linked hands and ran into the countryside as fast as their legs could go. At the end of 1884 they escaped from a besieged Khartoum with a friend, Augusto Michieli. I am dark but beautiful: this is her song of love, the gift of her closeness to those who seek her as a humble sister freed from the love that God has planted in our hearts. Josephine Bakhita entered the convent in 1893 and took her vows December 8, 1896. Sadly, the news of her beatification in 1992 was censored in Sudan. She was eventually assigned to a convent in Schio. Bakhita knew how to value true riches and chose eternal treasures. The sisters she lived with experienced the humanizing power of motherhood in her friendship. Bulk Subscription, About Canonized: October 1, 2000 by Pope John Paul II. Read his story here. They are heavy! She is said to have died with a smile on her lips after seeing a vision of Our Lady coming toward her. and endured untold hardship and suffering. "[17], When Michieli returned to take her daughter and maid back to Suakin, Bakhita firmly refused to leave. Then salt was poured into the open wounds to ensure it would scar. Surrounded by the sisters, she died at age 78. To this end, we invite you to learn more about the life of an extraordinary trafficking survivor from history. She was declared free. Josephine Bakhita was born around 1869 in Darfur (now in western Sudan). Her most Get Access Saint Rita Research Paper Saint Rita of Cascia was a girl who always showed an early desire to become a noun at a young age. He eventually took her to Italy and gave her to the Michieli family to serve as a nanny. 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. Josephine was born in the Daju village of Olgossa in Darfur. Continue reading about St. Josephine Bakhita St. Josephine Bakhita St. Josephine Vannini 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. We serve youth, parents, and those on the frontlines of combatting human trafficking. 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. 800-621-1008 Please review our Privacy Policy and Terms and Conditions. What Do All Saints Day and Halloween Have in Common? Sharing the Word for May 1, 2023 Fourth Week of Easter Year 1. And the shining figure in the night? She chose to remain with the Canossian Sisters. According to Josephine, she had always known about God, who created all things, but she did not know who He was. Saint Josephine Margaret Bakhita was born around 1869 in the village of Olgossa in the Darfur region of Sudan. She became a Canossian nun in December 1896 and remained at the convent for another 42 years. Thank you. He gave her her first crucifix and had the idea of having her live with the little girl she took care of, at the Catechumens of Venice, a place where she could be educated and learn about the love of Jesus and the Gospel of salvation. She was a woman of immense faith and forgiveness.
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