St. Josephine Bakhita | Roman Catholic saint | Britannica Author and Publisher - Catholic Online. But just nine months later, Pope John Paul II visited Sudan and honored her publicly. Renew your gift subscription Over the course of twelve years (18771889) she was sold three more times and then she was finally given her freedom. On January 9, 1890, she was baptized and confirmed and received her first Holy Communion. Her owners named her Bakhita, Arabic for lucky or fortunate. In 1877, when she was 7-8 years old, she was seized by Arab slave traders, who had abducted her elder sister two years earlier. Who is St. Josephine Bakhita? 5 Lessons from a 20th Century Saint - FOCUS She then remained in the catechumenate for four more years. She was deeply moved by her time with the sisters and discerned a call to follow Christ. If Catholic Online has given you $5.00 worth of knowledge this year, take a minute to donate. Born in Darfur in 1869, Josephine Bakhita was taken by Arab slave traders when she was 9. If anyone asked her how she was, she would reply, "As the master desires.". 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]. 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. Our universal sister was given back to us. Your Catholic Voice Foundation has been granted a recognition of tax exemption under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. As punishment, she was beaten so severely she was incapacitated for a month. 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 kidnappers gave her the name Bakhita, meaning "fortunate. Selling his house and lands took longer than expected. Pope Francis visits with children in Budapest with visual impairments. Children who are now elderly, told us to call her Mother Moretta, because this is her name for us. Bakhita Charities is named after her. She lay in state for three days, and mourners noticed that her limbs remained flexible. In 1883, Bakhita was bought in Khartoum by the Italian Vice Consul Callisto Legnani, who did not beat or punish her. For many years, Josephine Bakhita was a slave but her spirit was always free and eventually that spirit prevailed. The Canossian Sisters went to court on her behalf and helped her obtain her freedom. Saint Josephine Margaret Bakhita was born around 1869 in the village of Olgossa in the Darfur region of Sudan . When the Michielis returned from Africa and wanted to take Mimmina and Josephine back with them, the future saint refused to go. She felt that she had always known God as the creator of all things and was deeply moved by the story of Jesus and by the answers she received from the sisters. In 2000, she was declared a saint, the first Black woman to receive the honor in the modern era. Saint Josephine Bakhita, pray for us. 2) The name 'Bakhita' was given to her by her ensalver, it means "lucky" or "fortunate". 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. Italian saint and former slave (18691947), Dagnino, p.10. 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. [15] The Turkish general began making preparations to return to his homeland and sold his slaves. Saints for kids, Two Suitcases: The Story of St. Josephine Bakhita. In Venice, her story of ransom from slavery, the gift of her faith was well known. Help all survivors find healing from their wounds. Beatified: May 17, 1992 by Pope John Paul II. MISSION: As a girl, Bakhita would look up at the moon and stars, resolving to serve their Master. The sisters answered her questions. 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 just nine months later, Pope John Paul II visited Sudan and honored her publicly. She had freely chosen to belong to God, by whom she felt loved, and accepted once again the separation from those she loved. She was eventually assigned to a convent in Schio. Bakhita knew the reality of being a slave, an immigrant, and a spiritual seeker. We partner with people like you. Salt was poured into each of the wounds. During the war, because of her colour, she was also mistaken for being a spy, but she did not get upset, she accompanied those who wanted to arrest her to where she lived and, showing them the window in her room, explained that since her arrival in Italy she had received the gift of vocation. Josephine entered the Institute of St. Magdalene of Canossa in 1893 and made her profession three years later. 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. 6 Intriguing Facts About the Amazing & Courageous St. Josephine Bakhita Beatified: May 17, 1992 by Pope John Paul II. She was resold several times, finally in 1883 to Callisto Legnani, Italian consul in Khartoum, Sudan. Children and adults alike flocked to her, enjoying her good heart, good nature, good works, and her love of people. ADVENTURES: Many weeks after being kidnapped, Bakhita found herself at a slave market, chained to another girl her age. Required fields are marked *. These three sacraments are the sacraments of initiation into the Church and were always given together in the early Church. 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. Bakhita: From Slave to Saint by Roberto Italo Zanini | Goodreads She was born in Sudan, Africa to a loving, and prosperous family. In 2018, we published the testimonies of those who actually knew Mother Bakhita. Born: 1869 in Sudan 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. Please refer to the appropriate style manual or other sources if you have any questions. All rights reserved. Watch Two Suitcases: The Story of St. Josephine Bakhita, available to stream or on DVD from Amazon. Historians believe that sometime in February 1877, Josephine was kidnapped by Arab slave traders. Her owners named her Bakhita, Arabic for lucky or fortunate. [11] She lived there for three years and became nanny to the Michieli's daughter Alice, known as 'Mimmina', born in February 1886. The girls passed long hours telling one another about their families and how they had been kidnapped. The woman had a dish of white flour, a dish of salt and a razor. 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. Various testimonies have depicted her freely giving thanks, in order to free every creature, to educate to self-giving until death. 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. 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. Every slave was always given a new name. Her sacraments were administered by Archbishop Giuseppe Sarto, who would later become Pope Pius X. Zanini, Roberto Italo (2013). Advertising Saint Josephine Bakhita- Patron Saint of Human Trafficking LIVED: Bakhita was born in 1869 in Sudan. We increase awareness and teach you how to intercept trafficking as early as possible. Bombs did not spare Schio, but the war passed without a single casualty. 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). Shop St. Josephine Bakhita. Bakhita came to believe it was her guardian angel, who stayed with her all along, guiding her to God. Born in the village of Olgossa (Darfur, Sudan) in 1869, Bakhita had a twin sister, she was loved and she lived peacefully. She told about how the general's wife ordered her to be scarred. Josephine was her confirmation name. Reception centres, training courses or places named after Saint Bakhita are being built throughout various parts of Italy. [6][7][8] She was also forcibly converted to Islam. Shop St. Josephine Bakhita. While Mimmina was being instructed, Josephine felt drawn to the Catholic Church. By the end of 1888, Turina Michieli wanted to see her husband in Sudan even though land transactions were unfinished. Provide comfort to survivors of slavery and let them look to you as an example of hope . She arrived in Italy for the first time. 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. Does the Bible Have Anything to do with My Life? He canonized her on October 1, 2000. We are a team of people dedicated to defeating the scourge of human trafficking through uniquely targeted programs. (ca. At the end of 1884 they escaped from a besieged Khartoum with a friend, Augusto Michieli. This year, the liturgical feast of Saint Bakhita invited us to rediscover ourselves invited by life to the school of love, and of humanity. She was known for her gentle voice and smile. 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 simplicity was convincing and danger was averted. She rubbed the wounds with salt to make the scars permanent. The judge concluded that since slavery was illegal in Italy, she had actually been free since 1885. It was there that Bakhita first heard the gospel and believed that it was Gods will that she be free. She was born around the year 1869 in the African country of Sudan, in the region of Darfur, in the city of Olgossa. She was seven years old when her good heart experienced the pain of seeing her companions unjustly suffer as slaves. When it was time for him to return to Italy, she begged to be taken with him, and he agreed. Venezuelan migrant thanks God, recounts journey through dangerous jungle to U.S. Read his story here. The map of Sudan here shows the village of Olgossa (. As a slave, her experiences varied from fair treatment to cruel. The daughter of Sudan sold into slavery as a living piece of merchandise and yet still free. Forced to walk 600 miles to southern Sudan, she was bought and sold before arriving in El Obeid. Activity: The Kindness Chain. In 1877, when she was 78 years old, she was seized by Arab slave traders, who had abducted her elder sister two years earlier. 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. She was also known as Mother Moretta, our Black Mother. She was kidnapped as a child and sold into slavery, eventually working in Italy as a nanny for a wealthy family. He had destined me for better things." 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 converted to Christianity and was baptized and confirmed in 1890. Heavenly Father, through the intercession of Saint Bakhita, grant us a poor and simple heart, like that of Mary and of your Son who became poor for the love of us. Corrections? 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. During World War II, the people of the village of Schio regarded her as their protector. [9], In El-Obeid, Bakhita was bought by a rich Arab who used her as a maid for his two daughters. Her body lay on display for three days afterwards. If you are one of our rare donors, you have our gratitude and we warmly thank you. She was beatified in 1992 and canonized eight years later. St. Josephine Bakhita - Information on the Saint of the Day - Vatican News The assignment was easy until she offended her owner's son, possibly for the crime of breaking a vase. Surrounded by the sisters, she died at age 78. 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. By the end of 1882, El-Obeid came under the threat of an attack of Mahdist revolutionaries. All rights reserved. St. Josephine Bakhita, Virgin. The first steps toward her beatification began in 1959. (Fortunata is the Latin translation for her Arabic name, Bakhita). 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. Her story is noteworthy. Her story is noteworthy. 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. While she was in the custody of the sisters, she came to learn about God. On 1 October 2000, she was canonized as Saint Josephine Bakhita. 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. For the next 12 years she would be bought, sold and given away over a dozen times. 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. Author and Publisher - Catholic Online Saint Bakhita lived long ago. If you donate just $5.00, the price of your coffee, Catholic Online School could keep thriving. In 1958, the process of canonization began for Josephine under Pope John XXIII. This ironic new name did not describe the brutal and humiliating treatment Bakhita received on a daily basis. This project was carried out in collaboration between the municipality and the diocesan Caritas. Continue reading about St. Josephine Bakhita St. Josephine Bakhita St. Josephine Vannini Her last years were marked by pain and sickness. Permission Guidelines Ida Zanolini, in Positio, p. 113 233). 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. 5 things the Catholic woman should keep in her purse, St. Marculf: Saint of the Day for Monday, May 01, 2023, To Saint Peregrine: Prayer of the Day for Monday, May 01, 2023. 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. After only nine months, Bakhita unexpectedly left Africa with Mimmina who did not want to leave her behind. She was often beaten and kicked and whipped. you found true redemption in your encounter with Christ and his Church. Faith can be an important component in the road to recovery for many survivors, as was the case for Bakhita. If you donate just $5.00, the price of your coffee, Catholic Online School could keep thriving. Josephine Bakhita - Wikipedia Printable Catholic Saints PDFs Your email address will not be published. One of her owners was a Turkish general who gave her to his wife and mother-in-law who both beat her daily. Saint Josephine Bakhita Saint stories - Teaching Catholic Kids [20] A strong missionary drive animated her throughout her entire life "her mind was always on God, and her heart in Africa".[21]. Copyright 2023 Eternal Word Television Network, Inc. Irondale, Alabama. https://www.britannica.com/biography/Josephine-Bakhita, Pope Francis venerating St. Josephine Bakhita. 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. 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. It's a little awkward to ask, but we need your help. Large crowds followed her hearse to the cemetery. 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. She then died. To this end, we invite you to learn more about the life of an extraordinary trafficking survivor from history. Bakhita was drawn to the Catholic Church. If you have already donated, we sincerely thank you. For the rest of her life, Bakhita remained in Italy and lived as a free woman. The Pope prayed to Saint Bakhita and asked that she intercede and assist trafficking victims. Continue reading about St. Josephine Bakhita St. Josephine Bakhita St. Josephine Vannini 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. 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. Catholic Online is a Project of Your Catholic Voice Foundation, a Not-for-Profit Corporation. Known as Mimmina, she was treated like a daughter by Bakhita. 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 Saint Josephine Bakhita facts Flashcards | Quizlet She was known for her charisma and gentleness and even expressed gratitude that her past horrors had brought her to her current life. She was bought and sold at least twice during the grueling journey. During World War II, the people of the village of Schio regarded her as their protector. Once, they hid behind a thorn hedge for two hours while a long caravan passed nearby. 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. She also traveled and visited other convents telling her story to other sisters and preparing them for work in Africa. On the evening of February 8, 1947, Josephine spoke her last words, "Our Lady, Our Lady!" Saint Josephine, Bakhita, c. 1868-1947 | Loyola Press 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. She was born around 1869 in Darfur (now in western Sudan) in the village of Olgossa, west of Nyala and close to Mount Agilerei. 3) Her feast day marks an international day of prayer and awareness against human trafficking. On 17 May 1992, she was declared Blessed and given 8 February as her feast day. She became a Canossian nun in December 1896 and remained at the convent for another 42 years. After that, she was sold. We ask for your prayers and intercessions for those enslaved among us. St. Josephine Bakhita - Saints & Angels - Catholic Online Later in life, she devoted herself to promoting Catholic missions to Africa. Bakhita was baptized in January 1890 and took the name Josephine. ATIs tools are designed to ensure that your efforts deliver effective results. 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. In 1883, the Turkish general sold her to the Italian Vice Consul, Callisto Legani. 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. She was tattooed with 114 deep cuts, which were filled with salt so that the design formed by the lip ofher scars remained; marks which remained white and stood out on her very black skin; the children, towhom she told her story, who are now elderly, still remember them. Thank you. She was bought and sold at least twice during the grueling journey. 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 mistress spent three days trying to persuade her to leave the sisters, but Josephine remained steadfast. When it was time for him to return to Italy, she begged to be taken with him, and he agreed. Josephine Bakhita was made a saint on by October 1, 2000 by Pope John Paul ll. Hi readers, it seems you use Catholic Online a lot; that's great! Your Catholic Voice Foundation has been granted a recognition of tax exemption under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. The theme: With Bakhita at the school of humanity was chosen in Schio following an encounter between the Schio-Sudan Bakhita Association, the parish of Saint Peters, where theShrine of Saint Bakhita is located and we Canossian sisters, members of the community where Mother Moretta (Black Mother) lived, almost continuously, from 1902 until 8 February 1947. Hi readers, it seems you use Catholic Online a lot; that's great! Due to her family lineage, she grew up happy and relatively prosperous, saying that as a child, she did not know suffering. She was sold not just once, but multiple 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.. She was kidnapped at the age of seven and sold into slavery by. The consul was her guarantee. She was a woman of immense faith and forgiveness. What is it that enslaves you? Her voice was pleasing to the little ones, comforting to the poor and suffering. The day when her life turned into a nightmare, that terrified 9-year-old girl forgot everything, even her . At the age of nine, she was kidnapped and sold into slavery, where a series of owners humiliated, tortured and mutilated her. She even received a new name at her baptism: Josephine Margaret Bakhita. 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. St. Josephine Bakhta Research Paper - 298 Words | Bartleby It seemed that Bakhita had failed in her quest for freedom. 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. Josephine was declared free on the grounds that slavery was not recognized in Italy and had been outlawed in Darfur before her birth. She was given away to another family as a gift and she served them as a nanny. "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. 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 died on 8 February 1947 in the country of Italy, in the city of Vincenza. When her mistress returned from Sudan, Josephine refused to leave. He was a much kinder master and he did not beat her. When speaking of her enslavement, she often professed she would thank her kidnappers. For had she not been kidnapped, she might never have come to know Jesus Christ and entered His Church. MISSION: As a girl, Bakhita would look up at the moon and stars, resolving to serve their Master. 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!. After a while, she came round again. Suakin on the Red Sea was besieged but remained in Anglo-Egyptian hands. Get a Britannica Premium subscription and gain access to exclusive content. Mother Moretta, universal sister, who is still speaking to us. Josephine Bakhita was born in 1869, in a small. Thus, from 13 to 16 years old she experienced a Christian welcome and civil respect. Our mistress stood behind us, whip in hand. Amen. With a passion to eradicate human trafficking, Elizabeth Lee is ATIs Volunteer/Intern Coordinator and Senior Advisor. 1751 Pinnacle Drive Suite 600 | McLean, Virginia 22102, National Human Trafficking Intelligence Center, Parent Coalition to End Human Trafficking. Continue reading about St. Josephine Bakhita, St. Josephine Bakhita 14 Karat Gold Filled Pendant, St. Josephine Bakhita Pendant (14 Karat Gold Filled), Submit a Rosary Prayer Request to be Read Live Online. Her first owner, a wealthy Arab, gave her to his daughters as a maid. Her constant smile, humility and simplicity won peoples hearts. Saint Josephine Margaret Bakhita was born around 1869 in the village of Olgossa in the Darfur region of Sudan. She lived a very humble and simple life in the convent doing various jobs such as cooking, sewing, embroidering, and attending to the door of the convent. Image credit: Saint Josephine Bakhita by unknown artist, unknown date. Imitating Him, let us place our confidence not in riches, but in your love and embrace. 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.
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