interesting facts about saint josephine bakhita

Her mistress spent three days trying to persuade her to leave the sisters, but Josephine remained steadfast. She told about how the general's wife ordered her to be scarred. She arrived in Italy for the first time. The day when her life turned into a nightmare, that terrified 9-year-old girl forgot everything, even her . It was that freedom of spirit that allowed her to follow her heart and live her true vocation. Bilinge: Encontrando a Dios / Finding God, Encontrando a Dios / Finding God (Espaol), Encontrando a Dios / Finding God (English), Catequistas Y Maestros / Catechists & Teachers, En El Orden Restaurado: Descripcion Del Programa, Nuestra Seora De GuadalupeOur Lady of Guadalupe. But she always remained cheerful. Today is Saturday," probably hoping that this would cheer her because Saturday is the day of the week dedicated to Mary, mother of Jesus. For the next 12 years she would be bought, sold and given away over a dozen times. Saint Bakhitas feast day is celebrated on February 8. Her constant smile, humility and simplicity won peoples hearts. She was sold not just once, but multiple times. Canonized: October 1, 2000 by Pope John Paul II. 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. Bombs did not spare Schio, but the war passed without a single casualty. Bakhita's skin underwent the painful and horrendous Sudanese custom of scarring slaves - where a pattern was cut into the skin with a razor. Who is Bakhita? Bakhita Kids Died: 1947 in Italy She is the patron saint of Sudan and of victims of human trafficking. 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. For three days, her body lay in repose while thousands of people arrived to pay their respects. Everyone plays a rolein helping to end human trafficking. She is the only saint originally from Sudan and she is now the patron saint of Sudan. This ironic new name did not describe the brutal and humiliating treatment Bakhita received on a daily basis. Birth: 1869. On December 1st, 1978, Pope John Paul II declared her venerable. 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. Saint Josephine Margaret Bakhita was born around 1869 in the village of Olgossa in the Darfur region of Sudan. In Venice, her story of ransom from slavery, the gift of her faith was well known. He canonized her on October 1, 2000. 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. Beatified: May 17, 1992 But she always remained cheerful. In her final days she relived the agony of her enslavement and is said to have called out, Please, loosen the chains. 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. LIVED: Bakhita was born in 1869 in Sudan. Whether airline employees, medical professionals, teachers, social workers, law enforcement, or businesses,ATI stops trafficking before it startsby partnering with you at the community-level toeliminate the threat. Saint Josephine Bakhita | EWTN This martyrdom ended when, in 1882, she was bought by Callisto Legnani, an Italian consular agent in Sudan. 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. 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. "[27], Pope Benedict XVI, on 30 November 2007, in the beginning of his second encyclical letter Spe Salvi ("In Hope We Were Saved"), relates her life story as an outstanding example of the Christian hope. She and other enslaved women were forced to undergo a traditional Sudanese practice that left her permanently scarred with 114 patterns cut into her skin and rubbed with salt and flour. She was born in Sudan, Africa to a loving, and prosperous family. 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. Pope Francis visits with children in Budapest with visual impairments. Bakhita became devoted to the child. She was a member of the Daju people and her uncle was a tribal chief. After that, she was sold. At the age of 13 she was sold to a Turkish general and every day his mistresses punished her with whips and beatings. Your Catholic Voice Foundation has been granted a recognition of tax exemption under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. The Canossian Sisters went to court on her behalf and helped her obtain her freedom. Language links are at the top of the page across from the title. Saint Gabriel Francis Possenti's feast day is February 28. 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. 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. Saint Josephine, affectionately known as Bakhita (fortunate one), was born in the southern Sudan region of Darfur. Read her story here. The Michielis brought Bakhita with them back to the Sudan where they stayed for nine months before returning to Italy. Saint Josephine Bakhita is the patron saint of Sudan and her feast day is celebrated on February 8. She spent so much time in captivity that she forgot her original name. Her last years were marked by pain and sickness. It wasnt long before Bakhita realized they were lost. Canonized: October 1, 2000. 1) Sudanese-Italian Canossian nun who survived 12 years of brutal slavery. She was a source of encouragement. Stay up to date with the latest news, information, and special offers. There, cared for and instructed by the Sisters, Bakhita encountered Christianity for the first time. 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. Activity: The Kindness Chain. 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 . Bakhita has come back to you. Does the Bible Have Anything to do with My Life? But that was not the end of her story. She would suffer a total of 114 scars from this abuse. Catholic Online is a Project of Your Catholic Voice Foundation, a Not-for-Profit Corporation. What is it that enslaves you? 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. They treated her relatively well, until after offending one of her owner's sons, wherein the son lashed and kicked her so severely that she spent more than a month unable to move from her straw bed. And although bombs fell on their village, not one citizen died. Bakhita converted to Christianity and was baptized and confirmed in 1890. Augusto Michieli acquired a large hotel there and decided to sell his property in Italy and to move his family to Sudan permanently. Your Catholic Voice Foundation has been granted a recognition of tax exemption under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. 42743. 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. By the end of 1882, El-Obeid came under the threat of an attack of Mahdist revolutionaries. She was baptized and confirmed in 1890, taking the name Josephine. Through baptism she discovered that what makes us free is Gods breath in us and with this freedom she wanted to free everyone: with understanding, advice, gently, always giving thanks, saying: See you in Heaven!. How can you, your family, or an organization you belong to reach out in solidarity. 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. Five interesting facts about St. Josephine Bakhita is she was a former slave who became a Canossian Religious sister in Italy. The map of Sudan here shows the village of Olgossa (. In 1885, to avoid the danger to his life as a result ofpolitical unrest, Consul Legnani was forced to leave Africa and Bakhita convinced him to take her with him. 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 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. 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. Feb. 8 was chosen for the day of prayer because it is the feast day of Saint Josephine Bakhita, who was born in Sudan in 1869. Who are the immigrants in your local community? In 1883, Bakhita was sold to an Italian family who treated her with kindness and respect. 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. This was the school of the Creator that she attended after the school of her family, which she always longed for. [11][12] As her mistress was watching her with a whip in her hand, a dish of white flour, a dish of salt and a razor were brought by a woman. Customer Service Continue reading about St. Josephine Bakhita St. Josephine Bakhita St. Josephine Vannini By William Hartston 00:00, Thu, May 29, 2014 Bookmark. In some instances these are homes that hosted her during her life, and which have now been made available for humanitarian corridors as in Olate in the province of Lecco or they are employment training centres, even places to play football in high risk areas. On 29 November 1889, an Italian court ruled that because the British had outlawed slavery in Sudan before Bakhita's birth and because Italian law had never recognized slavery as legal, Bakhita had never legally been a slave. Our mistress stood behind us, whip in hand. Mother Josephine Bakhita - Vatican St. Josephine Bakhita, Virgin. 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. Daily Prayer. The sisters she lived with experienced the humanizing power of motherhood in her friendship. 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. Her sacraments were administered by Archbishop Giuseppe Sarto, who would later become Pope Pius X. Flogging and maltreatment were part of her daily life. Saint Alexander's feast day is February 26. In 1877, when she was 78 years old, she was seized by Arab slave traders, who had abducted her elder sister two years earlier. Because, if those things had not happened, I would not have become a Christian and would not be a Sister today.. Meet St. Josephine Bakhita! Born in 19 th century Sudan, Josephine Bakhita was the furthest thing from Italian. What happened to the Catholic Knights Hospitaller? 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. Sadly, the news of her beatification in 1992 was censored in Sudan. Through Christ Our Lord. Thank you. Under their care, Josephine was drawn to the Roman Catholic Church. Copyright 2022 Catholic Online. She had brothers, sisters, and loving parents. Finally in possession of her human autonomy for the first time in her adult life, Josephine chose to remain with the Canossian Sisters. The feast of Saint Bakhita is in fact the day chosen by the Church to ask collectively for liberation from ancient and new contemporary slavery. In total, she bore 144 physical scars for the rest of her life. When Bakhita was seven or eight, Arab slave traders kidnapped her and sold her into slavery. This African flower, who knew the anguish of kidnapping and slavery, bloomed marvelously in Italy, in response to God's grace, with the Daughters of Charity. Her body lay on display for three days afterwards. In the extremity of her last hours, her mind was driven back to her youth in slavery and she cried out: "The chains are too tight, loosen them a little, please!" If you donate just $5.00, the price of your coffee, Catholic Online School could keep thriving. She was bought and sold at least twice during the grueling journey. [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. Josephine Bakhita is the Patron Saint of Human Trafficking. so that they will be released from their chains of captivity. Copyright 2023 Eternal Word Television Network, Inc. Irondale, Alabama. She had freely chosen to belong to God, by whom she felt loved, and accepted once again the separation from those she loved. Bakhita, the first canonized Sudanese saint, led the way for those who today seek among us hope for their life. . A bronze sculpture of Saint Josephine Bakhita, patron of trafficking victims, will be installed in the Vatican. Various testimonies have depicted her freely giving thanks, in order to free every creature, to educate to self-giving until death. Printable Catholic Saints PDFs. What was she known for? But just nine months later, Pope John Paul II visited Sudan and honored her publicly. Thus, from 13 to 16 years old she experienced a Christian welcome and civil respect. Imitating Him, let us place our confidence not in riches, but in your love and embrace. 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. Author and Publisher - Catholic Online Evangelii Gaudium, n. 224). Ida Zanolini, in Positio, p. 113 233). Their chance came one day when the overseer carelessly left them unchained and alone. St. Josephine Bakhita - Saints & Angels - Catholic Online ", After prayer and discernment, Josephine joined the religious order, pronouncing her religious vows on 8 December 1896 at the age of 27. Saint Josephine Margaret Bakhita was born around 1869 in the village of Olgossa in the Darfur region of Sudan. Bakhita became babysitter to Mimmina Michieli, whom she accompanied to Venices Institute of the Catechumens, run by the Canossian Sisters. Bakhita is a saint in the Catholic Church. Her kidnappers gave her the name Bakhita, meaning "fortunate. He was a much kinder master and he did not beat her. St. Josephine BakhitaA Model of Faith | Franciscan Media In the new house she found peace of heart and dignity of the body, finally dressed not in a straw tutu but in a white robe. Who is St. Josephine Bakhita? 5 Lessons from a 20th Century Saint - FOCUS 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. 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. Seeing no one around, they linked hands and ran into the countryside as fast as their legs could go. If you are one of our rare donors, you have our gratitude and we warmly thank you. What happened to the Catholic Knights Hospitaller? Her new owners took her to their family villa at Zianigo, near Mirano, Veneto, about 25km (16mi) west of Venice. My face was spared, but 6 patterns were designed on my breasts, and 60 more on my belly and arms. He had destined me for better things.. and faith. Show the volunteers who bring you reliable, Catholic information that their work matters. Her story of deliverance from physical slavery also symbolises all those who find meaning and inspiration in her life for their own deliverance from spiritual slavery. The assignment was easy until she offended her owner's son, possibly for the crime of breaking a vase. She rubbed the wounds with salt to make the scars permanent. What did she do while she was ministering She ministered as a cook, seamstress, sacristan, and doorkeeper, living simply and lovingly. 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. 26. Would she be treated like a slave again or could she still hope to have the human dignity she had experienced in the consuls home? 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. As she grew older, she experienced long, painful years of sickness, but she continued to persevere in hope, constantly choosing the good. She was baptized on January 9, 1890 and took the name Josephine Margaret and Fortunata. MISSION: As a girl, Bakhita would look up at the moon and stars, resolving to serve their Master. This ironic new name did not describe the brutal and humiliating treatment Bakhita received on a daily basis. Continue reading about St. Josephine Bakhita St. Josephine Bakhita St. Josephine Vannini If you donate just $5.00, the price of your coffee, Catholic Online School could keep thriving. For many years, Josephine Bakhita was a slave but her spirit was always free and eventually that spirit prevailed. 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. Bulk Subscription, About Printable Catholic Saints PDFs 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. 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. Another owner, a Turkish general, gave Josephine to his wife and mother-in-law, who would beat her daily. Her only extended time away was between 1935 and 1939, when she stayed at the Missionary Novitiate in Vimercate (Milan); mostly visiting other Canossian communities in Italy, talking about her experiences and helping to prepare young sisters for work in Africa. She spent so much time in captivity that she forgot her original name. The judge concluded that since slavery was illegal in Italy, she had actually been free since 1885. In 1902, she was transferred to the city of Schio (northeast of Verona), where she assisted her religious community through cooking, sewing, embroidery, and welcoming visitors at the door. Read his story here. In 2015, her feast day became the first international day for prayer and reflection on human trafficking. It does, however, foretell and describe her later life. Her own story, in turn, can serve as a balm for others. We ask for your prayers and intercessions for those enslaved among us. Hers was not the skin of an Italian aristocrat but rather a child kidnapped and forcibly relocated in the slave trade. Every slave was always given a new name. She was kidnapped as a child and sold into slavery, eventually working in Italy as a nanny for a wealthy family. If you have already donated, we sincerely thank you. Top 10 facts about Josephine | Express.co.uk Saint of the Day for Monday, May 1st, 2023. Saint John Cassian's feast day is February 29.
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