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. We're not salespeople, but we depend on donations averaging $14.76 and fewer than 1% of readers give. In her later years, she began to suffer physical pain and was forced to use a wheelchair. 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. so that they will be released from their chains of captivity. 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. All rights reserved. Birth: 1869. Author and Publisher - Catholic Online 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. During World War II, the people of the village of Schio regarded her as their protector. In 1883, the Turkish general sold her to the Italian Vice Consul, Callisto Legani. St. Josephine Bakhita - Saints & Angels - Catholic Online Saint Bakhita lived long ago. Surrounded by the sisters, she died at age 78. Saint Josephine Bakhita | uCatholic She became a Canossian nun in December 1896 and remained at the convent for another 42 years. [14] In May 1992, news of her beatification was banned by Khartoum which Pope John Paul II visited nine months later. If you have already donated, we sincerely thank you. What a great grace it is to know God!. The consul was her guarantee. Bombs did not spare Schio, but the war passed without a single casualty. Renew Your Subscription 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. St. Josephine BakhitaA Model of Faith. Federal Tax Identification Number: 81-0596847. Our mistress stood behind us, whip in hand. Printable Catholic Saints PDFs. 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. Pope John Paul II canonized Josephine Bakhita in 2000. Sharing the Word for May 1, 2023 Fourth Week of Easter Year 1. Author and Publisher - Catholic Online. 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. Renew your gift subscription Read his story here. How can you, your family, or an organization you belong to reach out in solidarity. For the rest of her life, Bakhita remained in Italy and lived as a free woman. Another owner, a Turkish general, gave Josephine to his wife and mother-in-law, who would beat her daily. Slaves also served to vent the anger of their masters who found sadistic pleasure in hearing them cry out in pain. St. Josephine Bakhita - Information on the Saint of the Day - Vatican News (ca. Her mistress spent three days trying to persuade her to leave the sisters, but Josephine remained steadfast. She is also a patron saint for victims of slavery and trafficked persons. Her voice was pleasing to the little ones, comforting to the poor and suffering. Stay up to date with the latest news, information, and special offers. Bakhita wished to stay in Italy when her owners readied for a relocation. This caused the superior of the institute for baptismal candidates among the sisters to complain to Italian authorities on Josephine's behalf. Josephine Bakhita entered the convent in 1893 and took her vows December 8, 1896. 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.. 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. Your Catholic Voice Foundation has been granted a recognition of tax exemption under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. " Her life in captivity wasn't quite so. When the child was about seven months old, Bakhita accompanied her to Suakin in Africa, where, in the hotel bought by the Michieli family, she experienced the awful conditions she would have fallen back into, had she stayed there. For three days, her body lay in repose while thousands of people arrived to pay their respects. And the shining figure in the night? He canonized her on October 1, 2000. She would suffer a total of 114 scars from this abuse. On the advice of their business agent Illuminato Cecchini, on 29 November 1888, Michieli left both in the care of the Canossian Sisters in Venice. Venezuelan migrant thanks God, recounts journey through dangerous jungle to U.S. During her 42 years in Schio, Bakhita was employed as the cook, sacristan, and portress (doorkeeper) and was in frequent contact with the local community. 1) Sudanese-Italian Canossian nun who survived 12 years of brutal slavery. Printable Catholic Saints PDFs 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 figure pointed the way to go, and Bakhita led her companion in that direction. Saint Bakhitas feast day is celebrated on February 8. Biography | Bakhita Charities Children and adults alike flocked to her, enjoying her good heart, good nature, good works, and her love of people. They ran through the wilderness all night, terrified of being caught and even more terrified of the roars of wild beasts; whenever the animals came too close, they took shelter in a tree. She patiently suffered long painful years of sickness in her old age and continued to attest to Christian hope. 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. Although Bakhita never learned to read and write, she became well versed in scripture and told her story, which became her astounding biography. She once said, Be good, love the Lord, pray for those who do not know Him. 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. "[17], When Michieli returned to take her daughter and maid back to Suakin, Bakhita firmly refused to leave. 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. 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. Saint Josephine Bakhita is an African saint, who was born in Sudan around 1869, and died on 8 February 1947, in Italy. Yes, she is a Catholic saint, but her story can serve as an inspiration to all, no matter what their religious beliefs may be. 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. Birth: 1869. For many years, Josephine Bakhita was a slave but her spirit was always free and eventually that spirit prevailed. In 2000, she was declared a saint, the first Black woman to receive the honor in the modern era. Because, if those things had not happened, I would not have become a Christian and would not be a Sister today.. She was a member of the Daju people and her uncle was a tribal chief. Shop St. Josephine Bakhita. She spent so much time in captivity that she forgot her original name. Daily Prayer. Indeed, she spent twelve years in cruel slavery. Bakhita replied, "Yes, I am so happy: Our Lady Our Lady!" [20] A strong missionary drive animated her throughout her entire life "her mind was always on God, and her heart in Africa".[21]. After only nine months, Bakhita unexpectedly left Africa with Mimmina who did not want to leave her behind. She told about how the general's wife ordered her to be scarred. [19] On 9 January 1890, Bakhita was baptized with the names of 'Josephine Margaret' and 'Fortunata' (the Latin translation of the Arabic Bakhita). Meet St. Josephine Bakhita! Saints for kids 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. 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. She also received the sacraments of her first holy communion and confirmation on the same day. 2) The name 'Bakhita' was given to her by her ensalver, it means "lucky" or "fortunate". Her body lay on display for three days afterwards. Pay Your Bill, SUBSCRIBE TO OSV KIDS Learn about their countries of origin, customs, and current needs. [24], The petitions for her canonization began immediately, and the process commenced by Pope John XXIII in 1959, twelve years after her death. / Holy See Press Office. Bakhita Charities is named after her. The little girl had never worn a dress until the day two scowling men appeared in the fields, blocking her path and holding a knife to her side, kidnapping her much as one might snatch a hen from its coop. What is it that enslaves you? St. Josephine Bakhita - Catholic World Report She was also known as Mother Moretta, our Black Mother. state of slavery; Since the villa in Zianigo was already sold, Bakhita and Mimmina needed a temporary place to stay while Micheli went to Sudan without them. Born in the village of Olgossa (Darfur, Sudan) in 1869, Bakhita had a twin sister, she was loved and she lived peacefully. MISSION: As a girl, Bakhita would look up at the moon and stars, resolving to serve their Master. St. Josephine Bakhita - Saints & Angels - Catholic Online Activity: The Kindness Chain. Continue reading about St. Josephine Bakhita St. Josephine Bakhita St. Josephine Vannini On 1 December 1978, Pope John Paul II declared Josephine Venerable, the first step towards canonization. To all our readers, Please don't scroll past this. Catholic Online is a Project of Your Catholic Voice Foundation, a Not-for-Profit Corporation. 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. Although the figure led Bakhita and her friend safely out of the wilderness, the girls were caught by another slaver late the next day and sold on. 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. Although she was just a child, she was forced to walk barefoot over 600 miles to a slave market in El Obeid. When her mistress returned from Sudan, Josephine refused to leave. 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. She was known for her gentle voice and smile. It is interesting what Ida Zanolini, a lay Canossian woman who published Mother Bakhitas first biography, wrote about her. "Rejoice, all of Africa! Tarjeta De Oracin De Nuestra Seora De Guadalupe, Tres Maneras Para Obtener Un Mejor Provecho De La Misa. During World War II, the people of the village of Schio regarded her as their protector. When Bakhita was seven or eight, Arab slave traders kidnapped her and sold her into slavery. St. Josephine Bakhita Resources For Kids (Crafts, Printables, More!) Two years later, he took Josephine to Italy and gave her to his friend Augusto Michieli. She even received a new name at her baptism: Josephine Margaret Bakhita. Zanini, Roberto Italo (2013). Bakhita died at 8:10 PM on 8 February 1947. Josephine celebrated the sacraments of initiation, receiving the name Josephine. [9], In El-Obeid, Bakhita was bought by a rich Arab who used her as a maid for his two daughters. Once liberated from your physical enslavement, 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. Salt was poured into each of the wounds. We rejoiced to learn that the human integration centre in Cerignola is dedicated to her. 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. 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. St. Josephine Bakhita Novena | Pray Catholic Novenas The most recent one known to us is the Casa Santa Giuseppina Bakhita"(Saint Josephine Bakhita House), dedicated as a temporary reception centre for women, located on the island of SantElena, in Venice. She spent so much time in captivity that she forgot her original name. If you donate just $5.00, the price of your coffee, Catholic Online School could keep thriving. She rubbed the wounds with salt to make the scars permanent. Saint Josephine Margaret Bakhita was born around 1869 in the village of Olgossa in the Darfur region of Sudan. Canonized: October 1, 2000 by Pope John Paul II. Now she looked to the sky for guidance once morebut this time, to her surprise, she saw a beautiful figure, bathed in light and smiling at her. Author and Publisher - Catholic Online Saint Bakhita lived long ago. St. Josephine Bakhita - Saints & Angels - Catholic Online Sadly, the news of her beatification in 1992 was censored in Sudan. We ask for your prayers and intercessions for those enslaved among us. This was the school of the Creator that she attended after the school of her family, which she always longed for. Her uncle was a tribal chief, and her family was relatively prosperous. She said, "A woman skilled in this cruel art came to the general's house. She was seven years old when her good heart experienced the pain of seeing her companions unjustly suffer as slaves. In 1883, the Turkish general sold her to the Italian Vice Consul, Callisto Legani. She was bought and sold at least twice during the grueling journey. The details and exact timing of her emancipation vary, but it seems that the mother superior petitioned the Italian authorities on Josephines behalf, and the issue was brought before the court. Copyright 2022 Catholic Online. Your email address will not be published. Her kidnappers gave her the name Bakhita, meaning "fortunate. Copyright 2022 Catholic Online. She was gentle and charismatic, and was often referred to lovingly as the "little brown sister" or honorably as the "black mother.". This ironic new name did not describe the brutal and humiliating treatment Bakhita received on a daily basis. She chose to remain with the Canossian Sisters. Saint Josephine Bakhita | Franciscan Media Customer Service:cservice @franciscanmedia.org, Technical Questions:support @franciscanmedia.org, Writers GuidelinesPrivacy PolicyPost a Prayer RequestDonor Portal. Read his story here. Newsletter Signup Not a a day went by without wounds being inflicted on her body. "[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. Bakhita became babysitter to Mimmina Michieli, whom she accompanied to Venices Institute of the Catechumens, run by the Canossian Sisters. Catholic Online is a Project of Your Catholic Voice Foundation, a Not-for-Profit Corporation. Selling his house and lands took longer than expected. She also traveled and visited other convents telling her story to other sisters and preparing them for work in Africa. Corrections? 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. If Catholic Online has given you $5.00 worth of knowledge this year, take a minute to donate.
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