Saint Josephine Bakhita
- Feast
- 8 February
- Patron of
- Sudan and victims of human trafficking
Born around 1869 in Darfur, in what is now Sudan, she was seized by slave traders as a child and sold several times; they named her Bakhita, meaning fortunate. In 1883 an Italian consul bought her and later took her to Italy. She was baptised in Venice in 1890, became a Canossian sister, and died at Schio in 1947.
When her mistress wanted to take her back to Africa, an Italian court ruled in 1889 that she was free, and she chose to stay with the sisters. At Schio she served for decades as cook, sacristan and doorkeeper, loved by the town. John Paul II canonised her in 2000, the first saint from Sudan. She is known from photographs, in her black habit.
For someone carrying an old hurt, Bakhita is the saint of forgiveness that looks impossible. She was treated as property for years, found Christ as a free woman, and spoke of those who had enslaved her without bitterness.
The print of Saint Josephine Bakhita
Questions
When is the feast of Saint Josephine Bakhita?
The feast of Saint Josephine Bakhita is kept on 8 February.
What is Saint Josephine Bakhita the patron saint of?
Saint Josephine Bakhita is the patron saint of Sudan and victims of human trafficking.
Is Saint Josephine Bakhita a good confirmation saint?
For someone carrying an old hurt, Bakhita is the saint of forgiveness that looks impossible. She was treated as property for years, found Christ as a free woman, and spoke of those who had enslaved her without bitterness.
Is Saint Josephine Bakhita the patron saint of people named Josephine?
Yes. Saint Josephine Bakhita is the traditional name saint for anyone called Josephine, Giuseppina and Bakhita, and the feast on 8 February is their name day.
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Other patron saints
AgnesAnneAnthony of PaduaAugustine of HippoBenedict of NursiaBernadette SoubirousCarlo AcutisCatherine of SienaCeciliaChristopherClare of AssisiDominicDymphnaFaustina KowalskaFrancis of AssisiFrancis XavierGeorgeGerard MajellaGianna Beretta MollaIgnatius of LoyolaJoan of ArcJohn of the CrossJohn Paul IIJohn the BaptistJosephJuan DiegoJude ThaddeusKateri TekakwithaLucyMartin de PorresMary MagdaleneMaximilian KolbeMichael the ArchangelMonicaNicholasPadre PioPatrickPaulPeregrine LaziosiPeterPier Giorgio FrassatiRita of CasciaSebastianTeresa of ÁvilaTeresa of CalcuttaThérèse of LisieuxThomas AquinasJeromeCatherine of AlexandriaMartin of Tours