[24], The petitions for her canonization began immediately, and the process commenced by Pope John XXIII in 1959, twelve years after her death. After a long and dangerous journey across Sudan, the Red Sea, and the Mediterranean, they arrived in Italy. 800-621-1008 Please review our Privacy Policy and Terms and Conditions. Bakhita Charities is named after her. state of slavery; 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. Show the volunteers who bring you reliable, Catholic information that their work matters. Historians believe that sometime in February 1877, Josephine was kidnapped by Arab slave traders. 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. Five interesting facts about St. Josephine Bakhita is she was a former slave who became a Canossian Religious sister in Italy. She was baptized and confirmed in 1890, taking the name Josephine. Bakhita became devoted to the child. -Her friendly voice -The way that she thought about death 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 Katharine Drexel was a contemplative in action whose work serving the poor inspires us today. Each ofATIs initiatives equips you in the fight against human traffickingby providing focused resources developed by survivors as well as experts with firsthand experience. A young student once asked Bakhita: "What would you do, if you were to meet your captors?" If anyone asked her how she was, she would reply, "As the master desires.". Listening to nature and her heart manifested in her the law of love that unites us all, making us capable of a social life in which rights and duties are expressed in the happy union of truth and justice, an encounter of gift and gratitude. Biography | Bakhita Charities Sharing the Word for May 1, 2023 Fourth Week of Easter Year 1. Six years later she entered the Canossian Sisters convent in Schio, Italy. 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. For the next 12 years she would be bought, sold and given away over a dozen times. Her mistress spent three days trying to persuade her to leave the sisters, but Josephine remained steadfast. She also cared for war victims during world war 1. Top 10 facts about Josephine | Express.co.uk 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. Josephine Margaret Bakhita, F.D.C.C. For the next 12 years she would be bought, sold and given away over a dozen times. She arrived in Italy for the first time. 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. And the shining figure in the night? Born: 1869 in Sudan Saint Josephine Bakhita facts Flashcards | Quizlet She soon became well loved by the children attending the sisters school and the local citizens. St. Josephine Bakhita - Information on the Saint of the Day - Vatican News Bakhita knew the reality of being a slave, an immigrant, and a spiritual seeker. St. Josephine Bakhita - Saints & Angels - Catholic Online She was gentle and charismatic, and was often referred to lovingly as the "little brown sister" or honorably as the "black mother.". 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. It is the process of life that discovers happiness in being free in order to free humanity (n. 9-10, n. 114, n. 188, n. 213, n. 224); we are called to live a happy friendship as a fullness of humanity (n. 8, n. 27, n. 91-92, n. 200) and to communicate it with the humanizing power of tenderness (n. 88, n. 270- 272, n. 274, n. 284). For had she not been kidnapped, she might never have come to know Jesus Christ and entered His Church. The amazement of being so loved flowed from her heart as a river of tenderness that comforted, in a multiplicity of expressions, with the indelible touch of her presence. All rights reserved. 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 kidnapped by slave traders at the age of seven; they gave her the name Bakhita, which means lucky. She died in 1947 in Italy. Indeed, realizing that she could not return home, little Bakhita, lifted up her innocent face and saw God. It does, however, foretell and describe her later life. If you donate just $5.00, the price of your coffee, Catholic Online School could keep thriving. Born in a village in Sudan, kidnapped by slavers, often beaten and abused, and later sold to Federico Marin, a Venetian merchant, Bakhita then came to Italy and became the nanny servant of Federico's daughter, Aurora, who had lost her mother at birth. When speaking of her enslavement, she often professed she would thank her kidnappers. She was sold not just once, but multiple times. She was eventually assigned to a convent in Schio. By the end of 1882, El-Obeid came under the threat of an attack of Mahdist revolutionaries. How can you, your family, or an organization you belong to reach out in solidarity. 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. Beatified: May 17, 1992 by Pope John Paul II. The Canossian Sisters went to court on her behalf and helped her obtain her freedom. 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. Children and adults alike flocked to her, enjoying her good heart, good nature, good works, and her love of people. Josephine Bakhita was born around 1869 in Sudan. Under their care, Josephine was drawn to the Roman Catholic Church. The assignment was easy until she offended her owner's son, possibly for the crime of breaking a vase. Her first owner, a wealthy Arab, gave her to his daughters as a maid. 29-32. When it was time for him to return to Italy, she begged to be taken with him, and he agreed. Printable Catholic Saints PDFs 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 remains were translated to the Church of the Holy Family of the Canossian convent of Schio in 1969. She had brothers, sisters, and loving parents. 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. Slavery was illegal in Italy, so Bakhita was able to leave her Italian owners and follow Gods calling for her. She was born around 1869 in Darfur (now in western Sudan) in the village of Olgossa, west of Nyala and close to Mount Agilerei. Another owner, a Turkish general, gave Josephine to his wife and mother-in-law, who would beat her daily. On the evening of February 8, 1947, Josephine spoke her last words, "Our Lady, Our Lady!" Bakhita: From Slave to Saint by Roberto Italo Zanini | Goodreads 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. In 2000, she was declared a saint, the first Black woman to receive the honor in the modern era. Saint John Cassian's feast day is February 29. But the girls had no idea where they were going. Bakhita came to believe it was her guardian angel, who stayed with her all along, guiding her to God. Death: February 8, 1947. [20], On 7 December 1893, Josephine Bakhita entered the novitiate of the Canossian Sisters and on 8 December 1896, she took her vows, welcomed by Cardinal Sarto. Bakhita was not a Christian, but she had always looked to the night sky and wanted to know the One who had created the moon and stars. Everything is amazing in her, just as the restoring water which gushes out of a spring! She was beatified on May 17, 1992, by Pope John Paul II and canonized by him on October 1, 2000. you found true redemption in your encounter with Christ and his Church. Josephine was declared free on the grounds that slavery was not recognized in Italy and had been outlawed in Darfur before her birth. Forced to walk 600 miles to southern Sudan, she was bought and sold before arriving in El Obeid. Her special charisma and reputation for sanctity were noticed by her order; the first publication of her story (Storia Meravigliosa by Ida Zanolini) in 1931, made her famous throughout Italy. What happened to the Catholic Knights Hospitaller? If you have already donated, we sincerely thank you. What was she known for? Bakhita has come back to you. Bakhita converted to Christianity and was baptized and confirmed in 1890. Josephine Bakhita is the Patron Saint of Human Trafficking. Josephine was her confirmation name. Josephine Margaret Bakhita, F.D.C.C. After that, she was sold. This caused the superior of the institute for baptismal candidates among the sisters to complain to Italian authorities on Josephine's behalf. uCatholic. On the evening of February 8, 1947, Josephine spoke her last words, "Our Lady, Our Lady!" Printable Catholic Saints PDFs Saint Josephine Bakhita- Patron Saint of Human Trafficking For the rest of her life, Bakhita remained in Italy and lived as a free woman. and endured untold hardship and suffering. 3) Her feast day marks an international day of prayer and awareness against human trafficking. She was known for her gentle voice and smile. She was a member of the Daju people and her uncle was a tribal chief. She was a member of the Daju people and her uncle was a tribal chief. 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. Renew Your Subscription Gift Subscription She chose to remain with the Canossian Sisters. Thus, from 13 to 16 years old she experienced a Christian welcome and civil respect. The woman had a dish of white flour, a dish of salt and a razor. (Fortunata is the Latin translation for her Arabic name, Bakhita). 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 could not recall the name given to her at birth by her parents after she suffered repeated terrible humiliation, both physical and moral, as a result of being kidnapped by slave traders at the age of 7 and sold and re-sold . The next fifty years of her life were marked by simplicity, witnessing to Gods love through cooking, sewing, embroidery and attending to the door. Bombs did not spare Schio, but the war passed without a single casualty. 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. She was declared free. The girls passed long hours telling one another about their families and how they had been kidnapped. For three days, Michieli tried to force the issue, finally appealing to the attorney general of the King of Italy; while the superior of the Institute for baptismal candidates (catechumenate) that Bakhita attended contacted the Patriarch of Venice about her protege's problem. In March 1885 they left Suakin for Italy and arrived at the port of Genoa in April. The terrified girl was bought and sold at least two times over the next few months and forced to walk hundreds of miles on foot to a slave market in Al-Ubayyi in south-central Sudan. As punishment, she was beaten so severely she was incapacitated for a month. Sadly, the news of her beatification in 1992 was censored in Sudan. If you have already donated, we sincerely thank you. Every slave was always given a new name. She was a member of the Daju people and her uncle was a tribal chief. Shop St. Josephine Bakhita. She also traveled and visited other convents telling her story to other sisters and preparing them for work in Africa. He canonized her on October 1, 2000. Saint Josephine Bakhita Saint stories - Teaching Catholic Kids Shop St. Josephine Bakhita. The sisters she lived with experienced the humanizing power of motherhood in her friendship. Author and Publisher - Catholic Online. It was that freedom of spirit that allowed her to follow her heart and live her true vocation. If Catholic Online has given you $5.00 worth of knowledge this year, take a minute to donate. Our mistress stood behind us, whip in hand. 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. Josephine Bakhita is the Patron Saint of Human Trafficking. Due to her family lineage, she grew up happy and relatively prosperous, saying that as a child, she did not know suffering. While she was in the custody of the sisters, she came to learn about God. According to Josephine, she had always known about God, who created all things, but she did not know who He was. During World War II, the people of the village of Schio regarded her as their protector. St. Josephine Bakhita - Saints & Angels - Catholic Online It's a little awkward to ask, but we need your help. Bakhita is a saint in the Catholic Church. 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. Amen. Everyone assured us that they had met her. 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.. After a long and dangerous journey across Sudan, the Red Sea, and the Mediterranean, they arrived in Italy. We're not salespeople, but we depend on donations averaging $14.76 and fewer than 1% of readers give. Imitating Him, let us place our confidence not in riches, but in your love and embrace. Once, they hid behind a thorn hedge for two hours while a long caravan passed nearby. According to Josephine, she had always known about God, who created all things, but she did not know who He was. When she had made her patterns; the woman took the razor and made incisions along the lines. Hi readers, it seems you use Catholic Online a lot; that's great! Bakhita underwent the excruciating ordeal of tattooing. During the ensuing court case, the Canossian Sisters and the patriarch of Venice intervened on Josephines behalf. When speaking of her enslavement, she often professed she would thank her kidnappers. Saint Angela of Foligno's feast day is February 28. Known as Mimmina, she was treated like a daughter by Bakhita. She then died. Meet St. Josephine Bakhita! She was given away to another family as a gift and she served them as a nanny. The Canossian Sisters went to court on her behalf and helped her obtain her freedom. [6][7][8] She was also forcibly converted to Islam. Customer Service:cservice @franciscanmedia.org, Technical Questions:support @franciscanmedia.org, Writers GuidelinesPrivacy PolicyPost a Prayer RequestDonor Portal. She spent so much time in captivity that she forgot her original name. She was often beaten and kicked and whipped. This caused the superior of the institute for baptismal candidates among the sisters to complain to Italian authorities on Josephine's behalf. Saint Josephine Bakhita was born to a wealthy family in Sudan in 1869. Saint Josephine Bakhita | Franciscan Media Bakhita's skin underwent the painful and horrendous Sudanese custom of scarring slaves - where a pattern was cut into the skin with a razor. 'Bakhita' was not the name she received from her parents at birth. 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.