Amen. Of that traumatic mutilation she reportedly said, I thought I would die, especially when salt was poured in the woundsit was by a miracle of God I didnt die. The Patriarch of Venice was informed, and he sought the advice of the Kings attorney. They write new content and verify and edit content received from contributors. [14] In May 1992, news of her beatification was banned by Khartoum which Pope John Paul II visited nine months later. 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. Your Catholic Voice Foundation has been granted a recognition of tax exemption under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. Bakhita was drawn to the Catholic Church. She was born around the year 1869 in the African country of Sudan, in the region of Darfur, in the city of Olgossa. She arrived in Italy for the first time. *Director of the archives of the Shrine of Saint Josephme Bakhita in Schio, LOsservatore Romano14 February 2020, page 8, EWTN | 5817 Old Leeds Rd. Saint Josephine Bakhita | Franciscan Media After a long and dangerous journey across Sudan, the Red Sea, and the Mediterranean, they arrived in Italy. She rubbed the wounds with salt to make the scars permanent. Copyright 2022 Catholic Online. She also received the sacraments of her first holy communion and confirmation on the same day. Josephine was born in the Daju village of Olgossa in Darfur. 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. 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. 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. What was she known for? Josephine Margaret Bakhita, F.D.C.C. 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. Children who are now elderly, told us to call her Mother Moretta, because this is her name for us. [25], Bakhita's legacy is that transformation is possible through suffering. 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. During World War II, the people of the village of Schio regarded her as their protector. Author and Publisher - Catholic Online St. Josephine BakhitaA Model of Faith | Franciscan Media And although bombs fell on their village, not one citizen died. 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. He had paid for her journey and had entrusted her to friends in Genoa, provided that they treated her well, thus guaranteeing her food, home and a job. Tarjeta De Oracin De Nuestra Seora De Guadalupe, Tres Maneras Para Obtener Un Mejor Provecho De La Misa. We're not salespeople, but we depend on donations averaging $14.76 and fewer than 1% of readers give. She rubbed the wounds with salt to make the scars permanent. 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. 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. If Catholic Online has given you $5.00 worth of knowledge this year, take a minute to donate. The day when her life turned into a nightmare, that terrified 9-year-old girl forgot everything, even her . Also known as: Josephine Margaret Bakhita, Mother Josephine Bakhita. After a long and dangerous journey across Sudan, the Red Sea, and the Mediterranean, they arrived in Italy. 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. Six years later she entered the Canossian Sisters convent in Schio, Italy. On 29 November 1889, an Italian court ruled that because the British had outlawed slavery in Sudan before Bakhita's birth and because Italian law had never recognized slavery as legal, Bakhita had never legally been a slave. At the end of 1884 they escaped from a besieged Khartoum with a friend, Augusto Michieli. Her remains were translated to the Church of the Holy Family of the Canossian convent of Schio in 1969. Saint Angela of Foligno's feast day is February 28. While every effort has been made to follow citation style rules, there may be some discrepancies. (ca. Her body lay on display for three days afterwards. 6 Intriguing Facts About the Amazing & Courageous St. Josephine Bakhita Even while she was outwardly denied freedom and human dignity, her spirit was free. When it was time for him to return to Italy, she begged to be taken with him, and he agreed. On 1 December 1978, Pope John Paul II declared Josephine Venerable, the first step towards canonization. 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. 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. and endured untold hardship and suffering. 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. Born: 1869 in Sudan As punishment, she was beaten so severely she was incapacitated for a month. you found true redemption in your encounter with Christ and his Church. 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. Birth: 1869. 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. Renew your gift subscription She wanted to be good, to obey the one who gave her joy in following his voice that enlightened her from the heart. Meet St. Josephine Bakhita! [2] She was one of the Daju people;[3][4] her respected and reasonably prosperous father was brother of the village chief. Josephine wrote that as soon as one wound would heal, they would inflict another. Printable Catholic Saints PDFs. Printable Catholic Saints PDFs It wasnt long before Bakhita realized they were lost. We partner with people like you. Their chance came one day when the overseer carelessly left them unchained and alone. 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. You will need: colored construction . She was of the Daju people; her respected and reasonably prosperous father was a brother of the village chief. She was known for her gentle voice and smile. Saint Josephine Bakhita is an African saint, who was born in Sudan around 1869, and died on 8 February 1947, in Italy. Gift Subscription She seems to be always ready, on the right hand of her Master, ready to become his spokesperson to help us and support us in the trials of life. What St. Josephine Bakhita's story taught me about suffering Finally in possession of her human autonomy for the first time in her adult life, Josephine chose to remain with the Canossian Sisters. She was a woman of immense faith and forgiveness. 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. Read his story here. 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. St. Josephine Bakhita - Saints & Angels - Catholic Online Her sacraments were administered by Archbishop Giuseppe Sarto, who would later become Pope Pius X. 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. Once, they hid behind a thorn hedge for two hours while a long caravan passed nearby.