Feb. 8 is the feast day of Saint Josephine Bakhita!
The Church celebrates her life and legacy by learning about her journey on earth. We are encouraged to mark this day with prayer for her intercession and celebration of her holy example.
Here are 6 things to know about Saint Josephine Bakhita:
Caroline Perkins, ChurchPOP
1) Sudanese-Italian Canossian nun who survived 12 years of brutal slavery.
2) Her enslaver gave her the name “Bakhita,” which means “lucky” or “fortunate”.
3) Her Feb. 8 feast day marks an international day of prayer and awareness against human trafficking.
Caroline Perkins, ChurchPOP
4) Learned about God while serving a family in Italy. She became Catholic as an adult.
5) Helped her religious community by cooking, sewing, embroidering, and welcoming visitors.
6) Forgave her captors: “I would kneel and kiss their hands, for if that had not happened, I would not be a Christian and a religious today.”
More About Saint Josephine Bakhita
Not only is Saint Josephine Bakhita the patron saint of Sudan and victims of human trafficking, but she is also a great example of forgiveness – just look back at fact number six!
You can also add this prayer for her intercession in honor of her feast day.
Prayer for the Intercession of Saint Josephine Bakhita:
Saint Josephine Bakhita,
you were sold into slavery as a child
and endured untold hardship and suffering.
Once liberated from your physical enslavement,
you found true redemption
in your encounter with Christ and his Church.
O Saint Bakhita, assist all those
who are trapped in a state of slavery;
Intercede with God on their behalf
so that they will be released
from their chains of captivity.
Those whom man enslaves, let God set free.
Provide comfort to survivors of slavery
and let them look to you as an example of hope and faith.
Help all survivors
find healing from their wounds.
We ask for your prayers and intercessions
for those enslaved among us.
Amen.
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