Sunday, February 8, 2009

Saint Josephine Bakhita

http://vultus.stblogs.org/Josephine%20Bakhita3.JPG.jpg

Today is the memorial of Saint Josephine Bakhita (1869-1947). She was kidnapped as a child from her home in Sudan by slave-traders and sold to various families. She suffered unspeakable abuse and torture. Finally, a Catholic family "bought" her and she was able to make it to Italy where she became a Christian and a nun. She was remarkable for many things, especially for her spirit of forgiveness and lack of bitterness. She was canonized by Pope John Paul II.

Don Marco has a beautiful meditation with rare photos of this saint to offer us today. Share

3 comments:

Lucy said...

Oh this is a wonderful post, Elena, and very dear to me and my family..Sister Bakhita actually taught my mother at 'Le Connoziane' in the city of Schio, in Vicenza- Italy. My mom, sho is 81, has vivid memories of how kind and gentle this sweet nun was...she will never forget her and, we as children, were told endless stories about those days. Thank you, Elena;-)

elena maria vidal said...

That is amazing! Thank you for sharing your mother's experience, Lucy!

Ann Murray said...

The Lord works in mysterious ways. This is a great post, Elena, and not only that but Lucy's family connection has made me realise just how contemporary some of the lives of the saints are. Fr Mark's post is beautiful and the photos speak for themselves.