February 8modernRoman

Josephine Bakhita

Religious Sister

Sanctified Life

1869 — 1947

Darfur, Sudan

Also Known As

Mother Moretta

Patronage

Sudan,human trafficking victims,

"If I were to meet the slave-traders who kidnapped me and even those who tortured me, I would kneel and kiss their hands, for if that did not happen, I would not be a Christian and Religious."

Kidnapped into slavery as a child in Sudan, she experienced unspeakable trauma before finding freedom and faith in Italy. Her path led her to become a Canossian sister, where she transformed her past suffering into a life of gentle forgiveness and joy, famously saying she would kiss the hands of her captors.

Historical Legacy

Historical Journey

The Saint's Path

Tracing the major movements of Josephine Bakhita's life.

Historical Summary (Wikidata)

Josephine Bakhita (born c. 1869 – 8 February 1947) was a Sudanese-Italian Canossian religious sister who lived in Italy for 45 years, after having been a slave in Sudan. In 2000, she was declared a saint by the Catholic Church. Born in Darfur, Sudan, she was kidnapped at the age of seven and sold into slavery by Arab slave traders. Over the course of twelve years (1877–1889), she was resold three more times and given the name Bakhita, which means "fortunate". She suffered varying degrees of physical and emotional abuse at the hands of her owners. In 1883, she was bought by the Italian Vice Consul Callisto Legnani, who took her to Italy. There, she converted to Roman Catholicism and joined the Canossian Sisters.

Canonization: saint

Historical Depiction

Wikimedia Commons Source

Titles & Roles

• nun• refugee

Writings

book

Story of My Life

Her oral autobiography, transcribed by her community.

Sacred Symbols

broken chains

Freedom in Christ

lilies

Purity and Forgiveness

Life Journey

Early Life

Kidnapped at age 7 in Sudan; sold into slavery five times; suffered brutal tattooing and torture.

The Turning Point

Bought by an Italian Consul and brought to Italy, where she discovered Christ with the Canossian Sisters.

Historical Legacy

Became a nun and served as the gentle doorkeeper of the Schio convent for 45 years, surviving WWII bombings.