February 8, 2024

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Saint of the Day for February 8: Saint Josephine Bakhita

(c. 1869 – February 8, 1947)

For many years, Josephine Bakhita was a slave but her spirit was always free and eventually that spirit prevailed.

Born in Olgossa in the Darfur region of southern Sudan, Josephine was kidnapped at the age of 7, sold into slavery and given the name Bakhita, which means fortunate. She was resold several times, finally in 1883 to Callisto Legnani, Italian consul in Khartoum, Sudan.

Two years later, he took Josephine to Italy and gave her to his friend Augusto Michieli. Bakhita became babysitter to Mimmina Michieli, whom she accompanied to Venice’s Institute of the Catechumens, run by the Canossian Sisters. While Mimmina was being instructed, Josephine felt drawn to the Catholic Church. She was baptized and confirmed in 1890, taking the name Josephine.

When the Michielis returned from Africa and wanted to take Mimmina and Josephine back with them, the future saint refused to go. During the ensuing court case, the Canossian Sisters and the patriarch of Venice intervened on Josephine’s behalf. The judge concluded that since slavery was illegal in Italy, she had actually been free since 1885.

Josephine entered the Institute of St. Magdalene of Canossa in 1893 and made her profession three years later. 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. She soon became well loved by the children attending the sisters’ school and the local citizens. She once said, “Be good, love the Lord, pray for those who do not know Him. What a great grace it is to know God!”

The first steps toward her beatification began in 1959. She was beatified in 1992 and canonized eight years later.

Reflection

Josephine’s body was mutilated by those who enslaved her, but they could not touch her spirit. Her Baptism set her on an eventual path toward asserting her civic freedom and then service to God’s people as a Canossian Sister. She who worked under many “masters” was finally happy to address God as “master” and carry out everything that she believed to be God’s will for her.

The continent of Africa provided a wealth of saints and other inspirational people included in the Catholic tradition, including Saint Josephine Bakhita! Read African Saints, African Stories that show how perseverance in faith can inspire us all.

Only One Master

During Josephine Bakhita’s years as doorkeeper, Italians were taken by her cheerful demeanor. But the horrors of slavery troubled her the rest of her life. Her final years were marred by sickness. In a fevered state, she once pleaded with a nurse to loosen the chains that bound her wrists. But she never lost her belief in God. When visitors asked how she was feeling, Josephine’s token response to them was, “As the Master desires.”

That total abandonment to God would be Josephine’s legacy—and it is one we can work toward as 21st-century Christians. As we approach the season of Lent, and in this month of recognizing and celebrating our African American brothers and sisters, these words from Pope John Paul II, who beatified her, ring true: “God used Josephine to teach us all the meaning of Jesus’ words: ‘Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called children of God.’”

—from St. Anthony Messenger‘s “St. Josephine Bakhita—a Model of Faith“
by Christopher Heffron

Don't miss out!

This booklet contains reflections on the life of this Franciscan woman and prayers for each day of Lent.

Reflect

Saint Josephine Bakhita bore scars throughout her body from years of slavery, yet her courageous heart remained unblemished. She forgave her enslavers because she understood something they could not: Love always conquers hate.

Pray

Dear God,
Josephine Bakhita endured horrors
I cannot fathom,
yet her bravery,
her mercy,
and her warrior spirit
could not be restrained
by man-made chains.
Teach me to forgive as she forgave
and to love as she loved.
Help me to understand
what she understood with such clarity:
True freedom can only come
from you.
Amen.

Act

In the face of cruelty, Saint Josephine showed grace and grit. Share her story with someone who is struggling in their day-to-day lives. The saints, after all, can show us the way.

Today’s Pause+Pray was written by Christopher Heffron. Learn more here!

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