WRFH/Radio Free Hillsdale 101.7 FM - Soldiers of Christ: St. Josephine Bakhita

Episode Date: February 15, 2024

St. Josephine Bakhita was an African slave who eventually became a Catholic through her encounter with a religious order of sisters. She is the patron of Sudan, victims of modern slavery, and human trafficking. Her feast day is celebrated on February 8th. 

Hi, I'm Faith Roy's, and this is Soldiers of Christ on Radio Freehillsdale, a feature where I highlight the life of Catholic and Orthodox saints. Today's saint is St. Josephine Bakita, an African slave who eventually became a Catholic through her encounter with a religious order of sisters. Born in Al-Ghasa, a southern Sudan in 1869, she was a member of the Daju people. Her uncle was the tribal chief, so she experienced a happy and comfortable childhood. This did not last long, for when Josephine was just eight years old, she was kidnapped by Arab slave traders. They forced her to walk barefoot for over 600 miles to a slave market.

Until she was about 20, she was bought, sold, and exchanged over 12 times. After spending so much time in captivity, the young woman even forgot her own name. One owner, a wealthy Arab, was fair to her until she offended his son, possibly for breaking a dish. As punishment, she was beaten so badly that she was unable to work for a month. Another master let his wife beat Josephine daily, even using a knife to permanently scar the young slave. Eventually, in 1883, a Turkish general sold Bakita to Italian vice counsel, Calisto Lagani. He treated her fairly and was not harsh or abusive towards her. When Calisto was supposed to return to Italy, Bakita begged him not to leave her behind,

so together they made the long, perilous journey across Sudan and eventually arrived in Italy. She was later given away to some family members, and her mistress had to travel without Bakita back to Sudan, so she left the slave under the care of the Kenosian sisters of Venice. It was here that her life would be changed forever. According to Bequita, she had always known about God, who was the creator of all things, but did not truly know who he was. She would question the sisters, slowly,

her understanding of Christ and falling in love with the faith. She decided to answer the call to follow Christ and stay with the sisters. When her mistress returned and tried to take Bekita with her, the young slave refused. Eventually this led the superior of the Institute to complain to the Italian authorities on Bekita's behalf. The case was brought before a court and they determined that Bequita was born after slavery had already been outlawed in Sudan and declared her a free person. She decided to stay with the Kenosian sisters and was baptized in 1890, taking the name Josephine, Marguerite, and Fortunata, which is the Latin translation for her Arabic name, Bakita. She also received her first Holy Communion and confirmation by the Archbishop Giuseppe Sarto, who would later become Pope Pius X. Desiring to fully dedicate her life to Christ, Josephine entered the order of the Kenosian daughters of charity and made her final vows in 1896.

She spent the next 40 years working at a convent in Vicenza. Josephine also traveled to other convents sharing her story in preparing the sisters for work in Africa. Known for her gentle, loving demeanor, and smile, she even professed her gratitude toward her captors. St. Josephine declared that had she not been kidnapped, she may never have come to know Christ and entered his church. Bequita continued to serve others until she was older, eventually suffering from so much physical pain she had to use a wheelchair. On the evening of February 8, 1947, she passed away. St. Josephine Bakita is the patron of Sudan in victims of modern slavery and human trafficking.

We take inspiration from her words, for she said, The Lord has loved me so much. We must love everyone. We must be compassionate. Thank you for listening to Soldiers of Christ. I'm Faith Roy's with Radio Free Hillsdale 101.7 FM.