Josephine Bakhita (1869-1947)

A former slave, St. Josephine has inspired generations of Africans and Italians . . .

Josephine Bakhita

Feast Day: February 8
Canonized: October 1, 2000

Called Bakhita (“the Lucky One”) by the slave traders who took away her freedom and Madre Moretta (“Black Mother”) by those she later served as a woman religious, Josephine Bakhita made the journey from slavery to freedom to the religious life. Pope John Paul II called her “a shining advocate of genuine emancipation” on the day that he declared her a saint.

A native of Sudan, Josephine was taken by slavers at the age of nine. She was left with 144 scars from beatings and torture. As providence would have it the Italian vice-consul in Sudan was moved by her plight and purchased her at auction in 1883. He took her to Italy, where she was given to a Signora Michieli near Venice who sent her to be educated by the Daughters of Charity of Canossa. There Josephine entered the Church in 1890 and begged to enter the convent. Michieli opposed the idea, but the Cardinal of Venice intervened, and an Italian court declared Josephine a free woman.

Josephine took her final vows in 1896 as a Canossian before Pope St. Pius X. She worked with joy as a cook and doorkeeper and later traveled to raise funds for the missions, taught future missionaries to Africa, and inspired countless individuals with her story. She died in Schio, Italy, revered by the Italians. Pope Benedict XVI honored her as a shining example of hope in his 2007 encyclical Spe Salvi.

This column is written for Legatus by Dr. Matthew Bunson, editor of The Catholic Answer Magazine and author of “John Paul II’s Book of Saints. ” This year we will feature those beatified or canonized by Blessed John Paul II.