interesting facts about saint josephine bakhita

Help all survivors find healing from their wounds. What did she do while she was ministering She ministered as a cook, seamstress, sacristan, and doorkeeper, living simply and lovingly. 42743. Augusto Michieli acquired a large hotel there and decided to sell his property in Italy and to move his family to Sudan permanently. 2) The name 'Bakhita' was given to her by her ensalver, it means "lucky" or "fortunate". At her canonization ceremony on October 1, 2000, Pope John Paul II said of St. Josephine: In todays world, countless women continue to be victimized, even in developed modern societies. One year later, when Mrs Michieli returned to take her daughter and Bakhita back to Suakin, she refused for the first time. Saint Gabriel Francis Possenti's feast day is February 28. Learn more about the people of Sudan and the ongoing conflict in their country. 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. Catholic Online is a Project of Your Catholic Voice Foundation, a Not-for-Profit Corporation. For the event, some Canossian sisters travelled from Verona to hold a vigil with young people [with the theme]: A light in the night against human trafficking. Their chance came one day when the overseer carelessly left them unchained and alone. February 8, 2023. During World War II, the people of the village of Schio regarded her as their protector. Author and Publisher - Catholic Online The assignment was easy until she offended her owner's son, possibly for the crime of breaking a vase. She used to tell the teachers in the community "You teach catechism, I will stay in the chapel and pray for you that you may teach well.". 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. 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. She is venerated as a modern African saint, and as a statement against the brutal history of slavery. She was beatified on May 17, 1992, by Pope John Paul II and canonized by him on October 1, 2000. Spend some time reflecting on areas of your life where you are not free. These three sacraments are the sacraments of initiation into the Church and were always given together in the early Church. 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. He eventually took her to Italy and gave her to the Michieli family to serve as a nanny. They were met there by Augusto Michieli's wife, Maria Turina Michieli, to whom Legnani gave ownership of Bakhita. She was born around the year 1869 in the African country of Sudan, in the region of Darfur, in the city of Olgossa. Learn about their countries of origin, customs, and current needs. 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. 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. 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. While Mimmina was being instructed, Josephine felt drawn to the Catholic Church. 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. Selling his house and lands took longer than expected. Josephine was declared free on the grounds that slavery was not recognized in Italy and had been outlawed in Darfur before her birth. Alice Michieli was born in Zianigo, the municipality of Mirano in the Veneto region, in 1886. Bulk Subscription, About Reception centres, training courses or places named after Saint Bakhita are being built throughout various parts of Italy. Flogging and maltreatment were part of her daily life. 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. St. Josephine Bakhita - Catholic News Agency The first steps toward her beatification began in 1959. Our editors will review what youve submitted and determine whether to revise the article. Bakhita: From Slave to Saint by Roberto Italo Zanini | Goodreads 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. Pope John Paul II canonized Josephine Bakhita in 2000. She died on 8 February 1947 in the country of Italy, in the city of Vincenza. Any unauthorized use, without prior written consent of Catholic Online is strictly forbidden and prohibited. She is also a patron saint for victims of slavery and trafficked persons. Italian saint and former slave (18691947), Dagnino, p.10. Melissa Petruzzello is Associate Editor of Plant and Environmental Science and covers a range of content from plants, algae, and fungi, to renewable energy and environmental engineering. [26] On 10 February 1993, he solemnly honoured Bakhita on her own soil. Hi readers, it seems you use Catholic Online a lot; that's great! and faith. She then remained in the catechumenate for four more years. Her mistress spent three days trying to persuade her to leave the sisters, but Josephine remained steadfast. He was a much kinder master and he did not beat her. Josephine Bakhita was born around 1869 in Sudan. These three sacraments are the sacraments of initiation into the Church and were always given together in the early Church. 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. When Bakhita was seven or eight, Arab slave traders kidnapped her and sold her into slavery. state of slavery; "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. This caused the superior of the institute for baptismal candidates among the sisters to complain to Italian authorities on Josephine's behalf. 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. Another owner, a Turkish general, gave Josephine to his wife and mother-in-law, who would beat her daily. Bakhita became babysitter to Mimmina Michieli, whom she accompanied to Venices Institute of the Catechumens, run by the Canossian Sisters. The next fifty years of her life were marked by simplicity, witnessing to Gods love through cooking, sewing, embroidery and attending to the door. Saint Josephine Bakhita | uCatholic They write new content and verify and edit content received from contributors. On 17 May 1992, she was declared Blessed and given 8 February as her feast day. She was baptized on January 9, 1890 and took the name Josephine Margaret and Fortunata. 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. Please refer to the appropriate style manual or other sources if you have any questions. Saint Josephine Margaret Bakhita was born around 1869 in the village of Olgossa in the Darfur region of Sudan. Faith can be an important component in the road to recovery for many survivors, as was the case for Bakhita. She felt that she was always walking in the light, guided by the One she did not know, but who she knew was present in the circumstances that brought her to Italy, allowing her to know and love Jesus who for us who are His children was crucified, and she was joyful to belong to him as his bride. For 10 years, this inheritance has been taken up by the Bakhita Committee which has now become an Association in order to continue the caring work that today Bakhita would have liked to carry out for her own people. *Director of the archives of the Shrine of Saint Josephme Bakhita in Schio, LOsservatore Romano14 February 2020, page 8, EWTN | 5817 Old Leeds Rd. He rejoiced at seeing her again. When Bakhita was seven or eight, Arab slave traders kidnapped her and sold her into slavery. What was she known for? For the first time in her life, Josephine was free and could choose what to do with her life. The daughter of Sudan sold into slavery as a living piece of merchandise and yet still free. Over the course of twelve years (18771889) she was sold three more times and then she was finally given her freedom. Renew your gift subscription St. Josephine BakhitaA Model of Faith | Franciscan Media 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. Shop St. Josephine Bakhita. It's a little awkward to ask, but we need your help. All rights reserved. We increase awareness and teach you how to intercept trafficking as early as possible. Does the Bible Have Anything to do with My Life? Dagnino, pp. | Irondale, AL 35210 |. The map of Sudan here shows the village of Olgossa (. We partner with people like you. It was then that we felt how in these years the passage from testimony to devotion was taking place. 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. 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, 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. 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. Meet St. Josephine Bakhita! Saints for kids Josephine Margaret Bakhita, F.D.C.C. She is the only saint originally from Sudan and she is now the patron saint of Sudan. She was baptized and confirmed in 1890, taking the name Josephine. The assignment was easy until she offended her owner's son, possibly for the crime of breaking a vase. St. Josephine Bakhita - Saints & Angels - Catholic Online Josephines body was mutilated by those who enslaved her, but they could not touch her spirit. Her new owners took her to their family villa at Zianigo, near Mirano, Veneto, about 25km (16mi) west of Venice. / Holy See Press Office. 26. Two years later, he took Josephine to Italy and gave her to his friend Augusto Michieli. Copyright 2023 Eternal Word Television Network, Inc. Irondale, Alabama. This martyrdom ended when, in 1882, she was bought by Callisto Legnani, an Italian consular agent in Sudan. He gave her her first crucifix and had the idea of having her live with the little girl she took care of, at the Catechumens of Venice, a place where she could be educated and learn about the love of Jesus and the Gospel of salvation. 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. At the age of 13 she was sold to a Turkish general and every day his mistresses punished her with whips and beatings. With the help of the Canossian Sisters, she won her freedom, became a Christian, and joined their order. On February 8, the Church commemorates the life of St. Josephine Bakhita, a Canossian Sister who was kidnapped and sold into slavery in Sudan. As punishment for clumsiness, she was beaten so severely that she was incapacitated for a month and was sold again when she recovered. Josephine Bakhita, you were sold into slavery as a child In 2000, she was declared a saint, the first Black woman to receive the honor in the modern era. Public Domain via Wikimedia. Her mistress spent three days trying to persuade her to leave the sisters, but Josephine remained steadfast. Before long, they were planning an escape. Her first owner, a wealthy Arab, gave her to his daughters as a maid. He canonized her on October 1, 2000. Birth: 1869. St. Josephine Bakhita Novena | Pray Catholic Novenas On the evening of February 8, 1947, Josephine spoke her last words, "Our Lady, Our Lady!" Although she was just a child, she was forced to walk barefoot over 600 miles to a slave market in El Obeid. "[17], When Michieli returned to take her daughter and maid back to Suakin, Bakhita firmly refused to leave. Josephine was born in the Daju village of Olgossa in Darfur. 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. St. Josephine Bakhita Resources For Kids (Crafts, Printables, More!) Historians believe that sometime in February 1877, Josephine was kidnapped by Arab slave traders. The Canossian Sisters went to court on her behalf and helped her obtain her freedom. 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. The woman had a dish of white flour, a dish of salt and a razor. [11] She lived there for three years and became nanny to the Michieli's daughter Alice, known as 'Mimmina', born in February 1886. 800-621-1008 Please review our Privacy Policy and Terms and Conditions. Bakhita, the first canonized Sudanese saint, led the way for those who today seek among us hope for their life. 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. While she was in the custody of the sisters, she came to learn about God. Saints for kids, Two Suitcases: The Story of St. Josephine Bakhita. St. Josephine Bakhita - Saints & Angels - Catholic Online She was eventually assigned to a convent in Schio, Vicenza. If you have already donated, we sincerely thank you. Mother Josephine Bakhita - Vatican During the ensuing court case, the Canossian Sisters and the patriarch of Venice intervened on Josephines behalf. Josephine Bakhita is the Patron Saint of Human Trafficking. She told about how the general's wife ordered her to be scarred. Bakhita knew the reality of being a slave, an immigrant, and a spiritual seeker. Saint Josephine Margaret Bakhita was born around 1869 in the village of Olgossa in the Darfur region of Sudan. Oh St. Bakhita, assist all those who are trapped in a Who are the immigrants in your local community? Mother Moretta, universal sister, who is still speaking to us.

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