Blessed Josephine Bakhita

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In 1869, a girl was born in Sudan in Africa. As a child she was kidnapped into slavery. This experience was so frightening, that she could not even remember her name. So, her kidnappers named her Bakhita, meaning “fortunate.”

An Italian consul, Callisto Legnani, purchased Bakhita. For the first time since she had been kidnapped, she was treated with care, rather than being beaten. When the time came for the Italian consul to return to Italy, he brought Bakhita. Once there, Mr. Legnani left Bakhita with Mr. and Mrs. Michieli. When their daughter, Mimmina, was born, Bakhita became her caretaker and friend.

Mr. and Mrs. Michieli went to Suakin to manage a large hotel they acquired. In their absence, they entrusted both Mimmina and Bakhita to the Canossian Sisters of the Institute of Catechumens in Venice. It was there that Bakhita came to know about God. When the Michieli’s returned, Bakhita asked to remain with the Canossian Sisters.

On December 8, 1896, Josephine Bakhita was consecrated to God forever as a Canossian sister. For the next fifty years, she served the Schio community, cooking, sewing, and attending to the door. When she was on duty at the door, her friendly, sweet voice was pleasing to children, comforting to the poor, and encouraging to others.

Mother Bakhita died on February 8, 1947 at the Canossian convent in Schio, surrounded by the other sisters. She was beatified on May 17, 1992 and canonized a saint of the Church on October 1, 2000 by Pope John Paul II.

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