*We highlight these Saints to inspire our students and contribute to their growth in Catholic education by fostering understanding and appreciation for Catholic values and teachings. We encourage parents to share the stories of these Saints with their children to deepen their spirituality and motivate them to live their faith with conviction, following the examples of these admired role models.*
When reading about the lives of the saints, we encounter individuals whose unwavering trust in God resonates across generations. One such saint is St. Josephine Bakhita, a remarkable woman whose journey from slavery to sainthood serves as a testament to the transformative power of God’s love. Despite enduring immense suffering in her life, she teaches us the strength found in trusting Jesus and highlights the loving and merciful nature of our God. Let us explore the events that led to her sanctity and draw inspiration from her remarkable life.
Born in Sudan in 1869, Josephine experienced the unimaginable horrors of human trafficking and slavery. Sold into slavery at a young age, she endured unspeakable suffering and brutality. The trauma of her abduction caused Josephine to forget her original name, and her captors gave her the name “Bakhita,” which meant “lucky or “fortunate.” Josephine’s story took a pivotal turn when she was purchased by the Italian Consul, Callisto Legnani, who treated her with kindness and respect. This encounter marked the beginning of her journey toward freedom and salvation.
The turning point came when the Legnani family returned to Italy, and Josephine was entrusted to the Canossian Sisters in Venice. It was within the compassionate embrace of these sisters that Josephine encountered Christianity and found hope through the Catholic faith.
She entered the novitiate, taking the name Josephine Margaret, and dedicated her life to God through the vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience. Her deep spirituality and radiant joy endeared her to those around her. She spent her life as a Canossian Sister, serving in various capacities, including cooking, sewing, and doorkeeping. Her humility and love for others became hallmarks of her religious life.
“In God’s will, there is great peace.”
St. Josephine Bakhita
On the evening of February 8, 1947, Josephine spoke her last words, ‘Our Lady, Our Lady!’ She was beatified in 1992 and canonized eight years later by Pope John Paul II. St. Josephine Bakhita is the patron saint of victims of human trafficking and slavery.
St. Josephine Bakhita’s path to sainthood is paved with profound lessons for Catholics. Her life exemplifies the transformative power of faith in the face of adversity.Bakhita not only forgave those who had inflicted pain upon her but also embraced a life of service and embodied the teachings of Christ to love one another as He loved us.
One of the key lessons we can learn from St. Josephine Bakhita’s life is the importance of forgiveness. Despite enduring the worst forms of cruelty, she forgave her oppressors and chose love over hatred. This powerful act of forgiveness echoes the words of Jesus on the cross, urging us to forgive those who wrong us. In a world often marked by division and anger, Bakhita’s example teaches us to break the chains of resentment through the transformative grace of merciful love.
“Love the Lord and pray for those who do not know Him. What a grace it is to know God!”
St. Josephine Bakhita
Additionally, St. Josephine Bakhita’s profound love of prayer serves as a timeless lesson for Catholics today. Despite enduring hardships in her early life, she found comfort and strength through her connection with God in prayer. Josephine understood that prayer is a conversation with God, a source of love and guidance. Her life teaches us that, no matter our circumstances, we can cultivate a rich prayer life that sustains us through difficulties and deepens our relationship with God. In the busyness of our lives, let us draw inspiration from St. Josephine Bakhita’s devotion to prayer, seeking moments to pray and include Jesus in our daily lives.
The story of St. Josephine Bakhita is a beacon of faith, hope, and mercy for Catholics. Her journey from slavery to sainthood is a testament to the transformative power of God’s love and mercy. As we navigate the complexities of our modern world, let us look to and pray to St. Josephine Bakhita as an example, drawing inspiration from her faith, profound forgiveness, and selfless love for others. By doing so, we can strive to know our Father, live out the Gospel, and contribute to building a more compassionate and just society.
FAMILY ACTIVITY: Human trafficking is not an easy subject to discuss with children. A good thing to do would be to have age-appropriate conversations with your children about justice, the nature of right and wrong, and the importance of fighting for those who are most vulnerable. A good idea for teenagers who are particularly interested is to volunteer with an anti-trafficking advocacy group.