SAINT JOSEPHINE BAKHITA

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Image of Saint Josephine Bakhita
Image of Saint Josephine Bakhita

By Edward Matulanya 

Learn about Saint Josephine Bakhita, her feast day on 8 February, Catholic teachings, life of faith, forgiveness, and her legacy in the Church.

1. Feast Day of Saint Josephine Bakhita

The Catholic Church celebrates Saint Josephine Bakhita on 8 February, recognizing her heroic virtue, faith, and witness to the sanctity of human life (Congregation for Divine Worship, 2004; Vatican, 2000). Her feast day has also been designated as the International Day of Prayer and Awareness Against Human Trafficking, emphasizing the Church’s mission to defend human dignity (USCCB, 2023). The lesson is; the Church teaches that suffering, when united with Christ, becomes a means of sanctification (Catechism of the Catholic Church [CCC], 1994, §§618, 1505).

2. Who Is Saint Josephine Bakhita in the Catholic Church?

Saint Josephine Bakhita is venerated as a canonized saint whose life reflects the Gospel virtues of forgiveness, humility, and unwavering trust in God (John Paul II, 2000; Vatican, 2000). For example; rather than harbor hatred toward her enslavers, she testified that knowing Christ transformed her pain into gratitude for salvation (Benedict XVI, 2007). The lesson is; forgiveness is a central requirement of Christian life and discipleship (CCC, 1994, §§2840–2845).

3. Life of Saint Josephine Bakhita from Slavery to Sainthood

Bakhita’s journey from enslavement to religious life exemplifies the Church’s teaching that God’s grace can transform even extreme injustice into a path of holiness (Congregation for the Causes of Saints, 2000; Romans 8:28). The lesson is; human suffering does not have the final word; redemption does (John Paul II, 1984).

4. Saint Josephine Bakhita Biography and Early Life

Born around 1869 in Sudan, Bakhita was abducted as a child and sold multiple times into slavery, enduring physical abuse, psychological trauma, and loss of identity (Canossian Daughters of Charity, n.d.; Vatican, 2000). The lesson is; every human person possesses inherent dignity because they are created in the image of God (Genesis 1:27; CCC, 1994, §1700).

5. Saint Josephine Bakhita and Her Journey of Faith

Her exposure to Christianity through Italian Catholics introduced her to a God who loved rather than oppressed, leading to her conversion (Benedict XVI, 2007; Vatican, 2000). For example; she referred to God as “the true Master,” contrasting divine love with human cruelty. The lesson is; authentic faith arises from freely embracing truth and love (CCC, 1994, §160).

6. Saint Josephine Bakhita; Patron Saint of Human Trafficking Victims

Because of her lived experience of slavery, the Catholic Church honors Saint Josephine Bakhita as the patron saint of victims of human trafficking (USCCB, 2023; Pontifical Council for Migrants, 2019). The lesson is; the Church condemns all forms of slavery as grave violations of human rights (CCC, 1994, §2414).

7. Saint Josephine Bakhita’s Message of Forgiveness and Hope

Bakhita forgave those who abused her, living Christ’s command to forgive “seventy-seven times” (Matthew 18:22; John Paul II, 2000). The lesson is; forgiveness restores interior freedom and reflects the mercy of God (Francis, 2015).

8. Miracles and Canonization of Saint Josephine Bakhita

Saint Josephine Bakhita was canonized on 1 October 2000 by Pope Saint John Paul II after the Vatican confirmed miracles attributed to her intercession (Congregation for the Causes of Saints, 2000). The lesson is; the saints continue to intercede for the faithful as members of the Communion of Saints (CCC, 1994, §§956–957).

9. Saint Josephine Bakhita and Catholic Social Teaching

Her life embodies key principles of Catholic Social Teaching, including human dignity, solidarity, and the preferential option for the poor (Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace, 2004; Francis, 2020). The lesson is; social justice is an essential expression of Christian faith (James 2:17).

10. Saint Josephine Bakhita as a Model of Christian Forgiveness

Bakhita stated that she would thank and forgive her enslavers because their actions ultimately led her to Christ (Vatican, 2000). The lesson is; Christian forgiveness mirrors Christ’s love on the Cross (Luke 23:34; CCC, 1994, §1825).

11. Saint Josephine Bakhita’s Conversion, Baptism, and Religious Life

She freely requested baptism, confirmation, and First Eucharist, later entering the Canossian Daughters of Charity, where she lived a life of humble service (Canossian Daughters of Charity, n.d.). The lesson is; the sacraments initiate and sustain a life of holiness and mission (CCC, 1994, §§1213, 1324).

12. Saint Josephine Bakhita in Papal Teachings

Multiple popes have cited Saint Josephine Bakhita as a sign of hope for victims of oppression and a witness to Gospel mercy (John Paul II, 2000; Francis, 2020). The lesson is; the Church presents saints as universal models transcending culture and race (Lumen Gentium, 1964).

13. Saint Josephine Bakhita’s Legacy in the Universal Church

Saint Josephine Bakhita’s legacy continues through Catholic schools, anti-trafficking ministries, prayer movements, and social justice initiatives worldwide (USCCB, 2023; Vatican, 2020). The lesson is; a life rooted in Christ bears fruit beyond death (John 12:24).

References

Benedict XVI. (2007). Spe salvi [Encyclical letter]. Vatican Publishing House.

Canossian Daughters of Charity. (n.d.). Saint Josephine Bakhita. https://www.canossians.org�

Catechism of the Catholic Church. (1994). Vatican Publishing House.

Congregation for the Causes of Saints. (2000). Decree of canonization of Saint Josephine Bakhita. Vatican.

Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments. (2004). Roman Martyrology. Vatican Publishing House.

Francis. (2015). Misericordiae vultus [Bull of indiction]. Vatican Publishing House.

Francis. (2020). Fratelli tutti [Encyclical letter]. Vatican Publishing House.

John Paul II. (1984). Salvifici doloris [Apostolic letter]. Vatican Publishing House.

John Paul II. (2000). Homily at the canonization of Saint Josephine Bakhita. Vatican Publishing House.

Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace. (2004). Compendium of the social doctrine of the Church. Vatican Publishing House.

Pontifical Council for the Pastoral Care of Migrants and Itinerant People. (2019). Pastoral guidelines on human trafficking. Vatican.

United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. (2023). International Day of Prayer against Human Trafficking. https://www.usccb.org�

Vatican. (2000). Saint Josephine Bakhita: Biography. Vatican.va

Second Vatican Council. (1964). Lumen gentium. Vatican Publishing House.

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