St. Josephine Bakhita was born in Olgossa, Sudan, and at the age of seven, she was kidnapped by slave traders, enduring years of severe torture and deprivation, including being tattooed with over one hundred incisions. The name "Bakhita" means "The lucky one," given by her captors after she forgot her original name. She was resold several times, finally in 1883, to Callisto Legnani, Italian consul in Khartoum, Sudan.
After two years, Callisto took Bakhita to Italy and gave her to his friend, Augusto Michieli. There, Bakhita became a babysitter to Mimmina Michieli. She accompanied Mimmina to Venice's Institute of the Catechumens, run by the Canossian Daughters of Charity. While Mimmina was being instructed, Josephine felt drawn to the Catholic faith. She was baptized and confirmed in 1890, taking the name Josephine. When Michieli returned from Africa and wanted to take Josephine back with them, Josephine refused to go. During the ensuing court case, the Canossian Daughters of Charity and the patriarch of Venice intervened on Josephine's behalf. The judge concluded that since slavery was illegal in Italy, she had actually been free since 1885.
Bakhita joined the Institute of St. Magdalene of Canossa in 1893 and became known for her kindness and dedication. She once said, "Be good, love the Lord, pray for those who do not know Him. What a great grace it is to know God!" Bakhita knew the reality of being a slave, an immigrant, and a spiritual seeker. Even while she was outwardly denied freedom and human dignity, her spirit was free. It was that freedom of spirit that allowed her to follow her heart and live her true vocation. Bakhita died in Schio on February 8, 1947. She was declared Blessed on May 17, 1992, and proclaimed Saint on October 1, 2000, in Rome.
St. Josephine Bakhita, intercede for all those who are trapped in a state of slavery and obtain healing for the victims of human trafficking.
Jonathan Fabian Ginunggil,
Most High Servant,
Jesus, Mary, Joseph Ministry of Love
(Blessed and Saints and the Nine Choirs of Angels)
Most High Servant,
Jesus, Mary, Joseph Ministry of Love
(Blessed and Saints and the Nine Choirs of Angels)
No comments:
Post a Comment