The Basics: Born about 1869 in Sudan; died February 8, 1947, in Italy; canonized October 1, 2000, by John Paul II; feast day, February 8. Woman religious.
The Story: It is a story that begins with love and returns to love after more than a decade of suffering and injustice. It is the story of a little girl who had a happy family life until she was ten or so, when slave traders kidnapped her. She was so frightened she never remembered her name. After keeping her in darkness for weeks, the traders sold the child they had dubbed Bakhita (“fortunate one”). She was resold again and again; one particularly evil man had her cut with a razor, 
wounds rubbed with salt and flour, as branding all over her body except for her face.
Bakhita ended up with a wealthy Italian family. She babysat the daughter and took her to parochial school. It was there Bakhita saw a crucifix and wanted to know more about this Jesus who had stripes on his body like her. She was baptized in 1890. Eventually, she with the help of the Catholic Church successfully challenged her bondage. She became a Canossian sister, wrote her memoir and did sewing and whatever else the congregation needed. Bakhita was once asked what she would do if she met the men who had kidnapped her. She said she would kiss their feet, because if she had not been kidnapped, she would have never become a Christian.
Bakhita’s Wisdom: “The Lord has loved me so much; we must love everyone.”
What We Can Learn from Bakhita: At some point, we need to put away the anger and bitterness from the tragedies of our lives, and where we can, find the Lord in the experiences.
To Learn More About Bakhita: Check out the site for the Canossian Daughters, the congregation she joined.
To Learn More About Other Women Saints and Blesseds: Come back next week, or consider buying my book, Sisterhood of Saints: Daily Guidance and Inspiration.
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