Today, February 8, the Catholic Church celebrates the memory of St. Josephine Bakhita.
Newsroom (08/02/2022 1:00 PM, Gaudium Press) Born in Sudan in 1869, Bakhita was enslaved at a young age. At the age of 21, she received the sacrament of Baptism. Sometime later, St. Josephine entered the Congregation of the Canossian Daughters of Charity.
Among her various roles in the Congregation were those of porter and embroiderer. She invoked God affectionately, calling him “my boss.”
After suffering from a severe illness, Saint Bakhita left for the glory of the Lord in 1947, being canonized in 2000 by Saint John Paul II. On that occasion, the Pontiff noted that in “Saint Josephine Bakhita we find a luminous advocate of authentic emancipation. The story of her life does not inspire passive acceptance, but firm determination to carry out an effective work in order to free young people and women from oppression and violence and to restore their freedom in the full exercise of their rights” (Mass of Canonization of Saint Bakhita, 1 October 2000).
Below, we have selected some phrases of this Saint so we may better reflect on virtue:
1 – “When a person loves another so much, they ardently desire to be with the other. Why then is there such fear of death? Death leads us to God”.
2. “Often God’s ways are incomprehensible to human eyes. But He knows how to lead souls and events to fulfil His plan of love and salvation”.
3. “I was always in the mud, but I did not get dirty. […] Our Lady protected me, even though I did not know her. On several occasions I felt protected by a superior being”.
4 – “Happiness is the Love of God, that has always accompanied me in such a mysterious way. Even before I met Him”.
5 – “Who is the Author of these beautiful things? And I felt a great desire to see him, to meet him, to pay him homage”.
6 – “If I’d remain on my knees all my life, I will never express all my gratitude to the good God”.
7 – “I am definitively loved and whatever happens, I am awaited by this Love. Thus my life is beautiful’.
8 – “Be good, love God, pray for those who do not know Him. If only we knew what a great grace it is to know God!”
9- “I’m going with two suitcases: one contains my sins; the other, much heavier, contains the infinite merits of Jesus Christ. When I appear before the Tribunal of God, I will cover my ugly suitcase with the merits of Our Lady. Then I shall open the other and present the merits of Jesus Christ. I will say to the Father: ‘Now judge what you see. I am sure that I will not be rejected! Then I will turn to St. Peter and say to him: ‘You may close the door, for I am staying!'” (Words spoken by Saint Bakhita in her last moments).
Prayer to Saint Josephine Bakhita
Saint Josephine Bakhita, while still a child you were sold as a slave and had to go through unheard hardship and suffering. As soon as you were freed from your physical slavery, you found true redemption in your encounter with Christ and his Church. O Saint Bakhita, help all those who are trapped in slavery; intercede on their behalf before God so that they may be freed from the chains of their captivity. May God set free all those who have been enslaved by human beings. Help all survivors of slavery and let them see you as a model of faith and hope. Help all survivors to find healing from their wounds. We ask for your prayer and intercession for those enslaved in our midst. Amen. (EPC)
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On today, February 8, the Catholic Church celebrates the liturgical memory of St. Josephine Bakhita.
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Translated with www.DeepL.com/Translator (free version)
