Josephine was born in Darfur (Eastern Sudan), and at the age of 8 she was captured and sold as slave. Over the course of 12 years she was sold a number of times. Bakhita wasn’t her real name at birth, she had forgotten what that was, therefore, she took the name that her slavers gave her: ‘Bakhita’, meaning, ‘fortunate one’. She was then sold to an Italian family, who took her back to Italy, it was there she found Christianity and freedom, as slavery was illegal. She joined the Canossian Sisters and took her final vows in 1896. Josephine was a brave person and a witness of love and forgiveness. She said “Be good, love the Lord, pray for those who do not know Him. What a great grace it is to know God!”.
Prayer: St Josephine Bakhita
Almighty God,
As we reflect on St Josephine Bakhita,
we pray in thanksgiving for her example
of forgiveness.
Pour on us the spirit of wisdom and love,
with which you filled St Josephine in her life.
Let us serve you like she did,
and keep us strong in both faith and action.
We ask this through Christ, our Lord.
Amen.
St Josephine Bakhita. Pray for us.