Saint Josephine Bakhita, virgin

Saint Josephine Bakhita: a story of struggle, hope and faith

In the year 1878, a small incident changed the life of an African girl forever. Two men intercepted the path of Josefina Bakhita, then just 9 years old, and took her to become a slave. Josefina was renamed Bakhita, which in the Sudanese language means “fortunate”, in an irony that would accompany her trajectory of pain and sadness.

An unimaginable destination

Bakhita passed from hand to hand in the slave markets. While serving under a Turkish general, she was tattooed with a knife in 114 places, the wounds covered with salt so that they would be evident. Until, in a moment of miracle, she was acquired by an Italian officer, Callisto Legnami, who treated her with affection and kindness.

He dressed her in her first dress, providing her with shelter and meals. In 1884, Bakhita embarked for Italy, where an unimaginable destiny awaited her.

Path of Faith

Bakhita was entrusted to the Canossian Sisters of Venice. It was there that she met Jesus, learned the catechism and, on January 9, 1890, she was baptized with the name Giuseppina Margherita Fortunata. The following year, he entered the Canossianas novitiate and, in 1896, he took his vows.

For the next 45 years, she served as cook, sacristan and porter at the convent of Schio, where she was affectionately called the “chocolate sister”.

Recognition as a Saint

On February 8, 1947, Bakhita died of pneumonia, but her story of faith and hope persists to this day. On October 1, 2000, Saint John Paul II canonized Bakhita as a Saint of the Canossian Family.

She is today a reference for many people, who seek inspiration in her story of struggle and courage. Saint Josephine Bakhita is an example of strength and perseverance for all of us, and her story is a great legacy of hope in difficult times.