Episode 1846: St. Josephine Bakhita

St. Josephine Bakhita, also known as Mother Moretta, was a Sudanese-born former slave who became a Catholic nun and saint. Here is a brief biography of her life:

Early Life and Enslavement:

Josephine Bakhita was born around 1869 in the village of Olgossa in the Darfur region of Sudan.
At the age of seven, she was kidnapped by Arab slave traders and sold into slavery. During her captivity, she was subjected to various forms of abuse and cruelty.
Life as a Slave:

Bakhita was sold and resold several times, enduring physical and emotional hardship under different masters.
She eventually ended up serving the Italian consul in Khartoum, Sudan, where she came into contact with the Canossian Sisters, a religious congregation.
Conversion to Christianity:

Through her interactions with the Canossian Sisters, Bakhita learned about Christianity and was deeply moved by the message of God's love and mercy.
She expressed a desire to convert to Christianity and was baptized in 1890, taking the name Josephine Margaret Fortunata.
Freedom and Religious Vocation:

In 1885, after the consul returned to Italy, Bakhita was entrusted to the care of the Canossian Sisters in Venice, Italy.
She experienced freedom for the first time in her life and chose to remain with the sisters, dedicating herself to a life of service to God and others.
Bakhita joined the Canossian Sisters and took her religious vows in 1896, assuming the name Sister Josephine Margaret Bakhita.
Service and Witness:

As a Canossian Sister, St. Josephine Bakhita served in various capacities, including cooking, sewing, and caring for the poor and sick.
She was known for her gentle and compassionate demeanor, as well as her forgiveness toward those who had harmed her in the past.
Bakhita's life was a powerful witness to the transforming power of God's love and grace, inspiring many with her story of faith and resilience.
Canonization and Legacy:

St. Josephine Bakhita died on February 8, 1947, at the Canossian convent in Schio, Italy.
She was beatified by Pope John Paul II in 1992 and canonized as a saint by him on October 1, 2000.
St. Josephine Bakhita is venerated as the patron saint of Sudan, as well as of victims of human trafficking and slavery.
Her feast day is celebrated on February 8th, the anniversary of her death.