interesting facts about saint josephine bakhita

*Director of the archives of the Shrine of Saint Josephme Bakhita in Schio, LOsservatore Romano14 February 2020, page 8, EWTN | 5817 Old Leeds Rd. Her body lay on display for three days afterwards. How can you, your family, or an organization you belong to reach out in solidarity. [15] The Turkish general began making preparations to return to his homeland and sold his slaves. For the next 12 years she would be bought, sold and given away over a dozen times. She then remained in the catechumenate for four more years. Josephine Margaret Bakhita, F.D.C.C. (Fortunata is the Latin translation for her Arabic name, Bakhita). They brought her back to Italy to work as a maid and care giver to their baby, Mimmina. (Fortunata is the Latin translation for her Arabic name, Bakhita). On 1 December 1978, Pope John Paul II declared Josephine Venerable, the first step towards canonization. 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. In 1883, Bakhita was sold to an Italian family who treated her with kindness and respect. Josephine was her confirmation name. It seemed that Bakhita had failed in her quest for freedom. 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. At the age of 13 she was sold to a Turkish general and every day his mistresses punished her with whips and beatings. Josephine Bakhita was made a saint on by October 1, 2000 by Pope John Paul ll. Selling his house and lands took longer than expected. Saint Josephine, Bakhita, c. 1868-1947 | Loyola Press 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. Even while she was outwardly denied freedom and human dignity, her spirit was free. 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. Continue reading about St. Josephine Bakhita St. Josephine Bakhita St. Josephine Vannini 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). Also known as: Josephine Margaret Bakhita, Mother Josephine Bakhita. 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. Her black skin revealed different ancestry and a different life experience. 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. Born in the village of Olgossa (Darfur, Sudan) in 1869, Bakhita had a twin sister, she was loved and she lived peacefully. Who is Bakhita? Bakhita Kids Her memories remind us that what bonds us is the same need for love, well beyond our individual beliefs. He had destined me for better things.. 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. The sisters answered her questions. 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. On January 9, 1890, she was baptized and confirmed and received her first Holy Communion. We serve youth, parents, and those on the frontlines of combatting human trafficking. She left Suakin, then a flourishing port on the Red Sea, and arrived in Genoa where she witnessed what Italian migrants, leaving the same port to look for work, would experience on their arrival in foreign lands. The assignment was easy until she offended her owner's son, possibly for the crime of breaking a vase. Learn more about the people of Sudan and the ongoing conflict in their country. On the evening of February 8, 1947, Josephine spoke her last words, "Our Lady, Our Lady!" Bakhita herself never mentions this incident. Before long, they were planning an escape. She was also known as Mother Moretta, our Black Mother. She soon became well loved by the children attending the sisters school and the local citizens. Bakhita became a nanny for her new family, and she and her young charge lived at the convent run by the Canossian Sisters in Venice. Biography | Bakhita Charities In March 1885 they left Suakin for Italy and arrived at the port of Genoa in April. Flogging and maltreatment were part of her daily life. Her own story, in turn, can serve as a balm for others. Bakhita Charities for Southern Africa, Inc. 2014 by Bakhita Charities Created with wix.com, 2014 by Bakhita Charities Created with w. 26. Saint Josephine Bakhita- Patron Saint of Human Trafficking Assisted suicide in the United States: Where is it legal? If you donate just $5.00, or whatever you can, Catholic Online could keep thriving for years. Provide comfort to survivors of slavery and let them look to you as an example of hope If you donate just $5.00, the price of your coffee, Catholic Online School could keep thriving. Large crowds followed her hearse to the cemetery. 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. According to Josephine, she had always known about God, who created all things, but she did not know who He was. She wanted to be good, to obey the one who gave her joy in following his voice that enlightened her from the heart. Mothers lifted her hands and placed them on the heads of their children, praying for her blessing. Faith can be an important component in the road to recovery for many survivors, as was the case for Bakhita. Indeed, she spent twelve years in cruel slavery. Josephine wrote that as soon as one wound would heal, they would inflict another. Saint Josephine Bakhita | EWTN 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. He eventually took her to Italy and gave her to the Michieli family to serve as a nanny. She was a woman of immense faith and forgiveness. She was known for her gentle voice and smile. On February 8, the Church commemorates the life of St. Josephine Bakhita, a Canossian Sister who was kidnapped and sold into slavery in Sudan. The figure pointed the way to go, and Bakhita led her companion in that direction. Saint Bakhita lived long ago. She was born around the year 1869 in the African country of Sudan, in the region of Darfur, in the city of Olgossa. [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. 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. What happened to the Catholic Knights Hospitaller? Her mistress spent three days trying to persuade her to leave the sisters, but Josephine remained steadfast. She is the only saint originally from Sudan and she is now the patron saint of Sudan. Historians believe that sometime in February 1877, Josephine was kidnapped by Arab slave traders. 6 Facts About St Josephine Bakhita. In 1958, the process of canonization began for Josephine under Pope John XXIII. 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. 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. Everyone plays a rolein helping to end human trafficking. She was gentle and charismatic, and was often referred to lovingly as the "little brown sister" or honorably as the "black mother.". Children who are now elderly, told us to call her Mother Moretta, because this is her name for us. Bakhita died at 8:10 PM on 8 February 1947. Your Catholic Voice Foundation has been granted a recognition of tax exemption under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. It wasnt long before Bakhita realized they were lost. The Michielis brought Bakhita with them back to the Sudan where they stayed for nine months before returning to Italy. She spent so much time in captivity that she forgot her original name. She used the flour to draw patterns on her skin and then she cut deeply along the lines before filling the wounds with salt to ensure permanent scarring. This ironic new name did not describe the brutal and humiliating treatment Bakhita received on a daily basis. He canonized her on October 1, 2000. After only nine months, Bakhita unexpectedly left Africa with Mimmina who did not want to leave her behind. Saint Josephine Margaret Bakhita was born around 1869 in the village of Olgossa in the Darfur region of Sudan. Any unauthorized use, without prior written consent of Catholic Online is strictly forbidden and prohibited. She is venerated as a modern African saint, and as a statement against the brutal history of slavery. Over the course of twelve years (18771889) she was sold three more times and then she was finally given her freedom. When a wound from the whip began to heal, other blows would pour down on me. Josephine wrote that as soon as one wound would heal, they would inflict another. After that, she was sold. Your email address will not be published. But just nine months later, Pope John Paul II visited Sudan and honored her publicly. 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. One of her owners was a Turkish general who gave her to his wife and mother-in-law who both beat her daily. My face was spared, but 6 patterns were designed on my breasts, and 60 more on my belly and arms. Saint of the Day for Monday, May 1st, 2023. All rights reserved. For the next 42 years of her life, she worked as a cook and a doorkeeper at the convent. 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. 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 kidnappers gave her the name Bakhita, meaning "fortunate. Josephine Bakhita is the Patron Saint of Human Trafficking. Birth: 1869. And the shining figure in the night? 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. 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. She was sold not just once, but multiple times. 6 Intriguing Facts About the Amazing & Courageous St. Josephine Bakhita 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. Bakhita replied, "Yes, I am so happy: Our Lady Our Lady!" She was deeply moved by her time with the sisters and discerned a call to follow Christ. In her final days she relived the agony of her enslavement and is said to have called out, Please, loosen the chains. Bakhita converted to Christianity and was baptized and confirmed in 1890. When the Michielis returned from Africa and wanted to take Mimmina and Josephine back with them, the future saint refused to go. When her mistress returned from Sudan, Josephine refused to leave. 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. 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. But that was not the end of her story. Shop St. Josephine Bakhita. Our editors will review what youve submitted and determine whether to revise the article. Due to her family lineage, she grew up happy and relatively prosperous, saying that as a child, she did not know suffering. Oh St. Bakhita, assist all those who are trapped in a During World War II, the people of the village of Schio regarded her as their protector. A bronze sculpture of Saint Josephine Bakhita, patron of trafficking victims, will be installed in the Vatican. I thought I would die, especially when salt was poured in the wounds it was by a miracle of God I didn't die. Saint Josephine Bakhita, pray for us. Death: February 8, 1947. Josephines body was mutilated by those who enslaved her, but they could not touch her spirit. Saint Bakhita is still with us today. Stay up to date with the latest news, information, and special offers. She was kidnapped at the age of seven and sold into slavery by. Although she was just a child, she was forced to walk barefoot over 600 miles to a slave market in El Obeid. She was taken as a slave in her early life by Arab traders and suffered a difficult life, until her eventual freedom in Italy. The girls passed long hours telling one another about their families and how they had been kidnapped. She was seven years old when her good heart experienced the pain of seeing her companions unjustly suffer as slaves. -Her friendly voice -The way that she thought about death Historians believe that sometime in February 1877, Josephine was kidnapped by Arab slave traders. [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. " Her life in captivity wasn't quite so. Saint Josephine Margaret Bakhita was born around 1869 in the village of Olgossa in the Darfur region of 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. Spanish court to investigate artists for exhibiting blasphemous sculptures, Full text of Bishop Paul Coakleys pastoral letter on gender dysphoria, transgender movement, Hundreds of faithful gather in prayer for Pope Francis at Budapests oldest parish church, Pope Francis says he did not lose consciousness before hospitalization in March, Pope Francis warns of technological domination, threat to human ecology at university in Hungary, The Good Shepherd calls us to open our hearts to love, Pope Francis says at Mass in Hungary, TEXT: Dont be couch potatoes! Pope Francis urges youth. [19] On 9 January 1890, Bakhita was baptized with the names of 'Josephine Margaret' and 'Fortunata' (the Latin translation of the Arabic Bakhita). 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. She said, "A woman skilled in this cruel art came to the general's house. Due to her family lineage, she grew up happy and relatively prosperous, saying that as a child, she did not know suffering. / Holy See Press Office. and faith. In 1883, the Turkish general sold her to the Italian Vice Consul, Callisto Legani. After a long and dangerous journey across Sudan, the Red Sea, and the Mediterranean, they arrived in Italy. Amen. Bakhita underwent the excruciating ordeal of tattooing. 6 Intriguing Facts About the Amazing & Courageous St. Josephine Bakhita Bombs did not spare Schio, but the war passed without a single casualty. Copyright 2022 Catholic Online. Josephine was born in the Daju village of Olgossa in Darfur. 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. 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. Public Domain via Wikimedia. She lay in state for three days, and mourners noticed that her limbs remained flexible. Saint Bakhita seems to be a made-to-measure saint to comfort the peace and reconciliation workers of our time. 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. This decentralization from herself manifested a creative generosity; for this was already the beginning of a path of redemption that rooted altruism in her. For the next 42 years of her life, she worked as a cook and a doorkeeper at the convent. As punishment for clumsiness, she was beaten so severely that she was incapacitated for a month and was sold again when she recovered. If you have already donated, we sincerely thank you. Our mistress stood behind us, whip in hand. They were met there by Augusto Michieli's wife, Maria Turina Michieli, to whom Legnani gave ownership of Bakhita. The consul was her guarantee. 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. It's a little awkward to ask, but we need your help. Bakhita is a saint in the Catholic Church. Her Baptism set her on an eventual path toward asserting her civic freedom and then service to Gods people as a Canossian Sister. Shop St. Josephine Bakhita. Does the Bible Have Anything to do with My Life? Josephine Bakhita is the Patron Saint of Human Trafficking. [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. In 2015, her feast day became the first international day for prayer and reflection on human trafficking. Saint Josephine Margaret Bakhita was born around 1869 in the village of Olgossa in the Darfur region of Sudan. In 1883, Bakhita was bought in Khartoum by the Italian Vice Consul Callisto Legnani, who did not beat or punish her. She then died. 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. Pay Your Bill, SUBSCRIBE TO OSV KIDS (ca. With the help of the Canossian Sisters, she won her freedom, became a Christian, and joined their order. Customer Service 2) The name 'Bakhita' was given to her by her ensalver, it means "lucky" or "fortunate". The daughter of Sudan sold into slavery as a living piece of merchandise and yet still free. you found true redemption in your encounter with Christ and his Church. so that they will be released from their chains of captivity. 3) Her feast day marks an international day of prayer and awareness against human trafficking. When she died her tenderness transfused into her mortal flesh and carried on attracting people. The first steps toward her beatification began in 1959. Someone asked her, "How are you? He canonized her on October 1, 2000. Daughter of St. Magdalene. Seeing no one around, they linked hands and ran into the countryside as fast as their legs could go. Saint Josephine Bakhita facts Flashcards | Quizlet But the girls had no idea where they were going. Your gift is tax-deductible as allowed by law. One year later, when Mrs Michieli returned to take her daughter and Bakhita back to Suakin, she refused for the first time. 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." Saint Bakhita lived long ago. Read his story here. 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. Most people donate because Catholic Online is useful. Required fields are marked *. She spent so much time in captivity that she forgot her original name. Josephine Bakhita entered the convent in 1893 and took her vows December 8, 1896. It's a little awkward to ask, but we need your help. Any unauthorized use, without prior written consent of Catholic Online is strictly forbidden and prohibited. 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. Evangelii Gaudium, n. 224). Saint Angela of Foligno's feast day is February 28. For the first time in her life, Josephine was free and could choose what to do with her life. Although Bakhita never learned to read and write, she became well versed in scripture and told her story, which became her astounding biography. She left Venice and arrived in Schio in 1902, after simply replying: Yes, Father, to the question concerning her transfer. St. Josephine Bakhita | Roman Catholic saint | Britannica Hi readers, it seems you use Catholic Online a lot; that's great! Printable Catholic Saints PDFs. For the next 12 years she would be bought, sold and given away over a dozen times. 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.. Comment * document.getElementById("comment").setAttribute( "id", "a24650c9343008eb8a6585a97221ebfb" );document.getElementById("c8429a34be").setAttribute( "id", "comment" ); Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Two years later, he took Josephine to Italy and gave her to his friend Augusto Michieli. We are a team of people dedicated to defeating the scourge of human trafficking through uniquely targeted programs. He was a much kinder master and he did not beat her. At some point during her captivity she was given the name Bakhita, which is Arabic for fortunate., One of her early captors forced her to serve as a maid. Slaves also served to vent the anger of their masters who found sadistic pleasure in hearing them cry out in pain. a quick bio of st. josephine bakhita. He was a much kinder master and he did not beat her. In the slave markets, where she was put up for sale, she always hoped to recognize her sister who had been kidnapped two years before her. The map of Sudan here shows the village of Olgossa (. The assignment was easy until she offended her owner's son, possibly for the crime of breaking a vase. She was a member of the Daju people and her uncle was a tribal chief. 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. She told about how the general's wife ordered her to be scarred. The school was run by the Canossian Sisters. She would suffer a total of 114 scars from this abuse. St. Josephine Bakhita - Catholic World Report Not a a day went by without wounds being inflicted on her body. Born in Darfur in 1869, Josephine Bakhita was taken by Arab slave traders when she was 9. Saint Josephine Bakhita | Franciscan Media Given the name "Bakhita", which means "lucky one" Tortured, abused, and mutilated Forced to receive over 60 tattoos made painfully with a razor and salt Finally at age 14 she was a nanny to an Italian family Learned about God from the Sisters of Charity while attending to a Christian child 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. As punishment, she was beaten so severely she was incapacitated for a month. Corrections? St. Josephine Bakhita Resources For Kids (Crafts, Printables, More!) St. Josephine Bakhita - Saints & Angels - Catholic Online Her remains were translated to the Church of the Holy Family of the Canossian convent of Schio in 1969. 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. Everything is amazing in her, just as the restoring water which gushes out of a spring!

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