Sister Bakhita, in her childhood in Africa, even without knowing anything about God, thought in her innocent and pure heart when she looked at the moon and the stars: ‘Who will be the master of all these things?’
Newsdesk (09/01/2025 16:12, Gaudium Press) Bakhita was born in Sudan, in the Darfur region of Africa, in 1869 and, from what little information we have, we know that her village of birth was Olgossa, pronounced ‘algoz’, which in Arabic means ‘Sand Dunes’. From a wealthy family, her father owned land, plantations and cattle; he was the brother of the village chief. Her family consisted of her parents and seven children, and they were very close and affectionate. Although Bakhita’s description of this dawn of her life hints at a clear sky, it will soon be covered by the clouds of tribulation, as we will see below.
Two great oppressors: ‘paganism and slavery’
We know that true peace can only be found in God. Although Bakhita’s family was morally irreproachable according to natural law, unfortunately her contemporaries had not yet benefited from the blessings of the Church and the Faith.
Let’s look at the historical context of the time. In 1821, Mohamed Ali sent two armies to conquer Sudan. The political aim was to establish his own dynasty in the region, and the practical aims were to plunder wealth and to capture slaves to sell on the market.
In 1874, Bakhita’s eldest sister was kidnapped. The pain tore at the heart of that close-knit and happy family. ‘Bakhita’ was not the name she was given by her parents when she was born in 1876. When she was about seven years old, she was also kidnapped and torn away from her family. The frightened little girl was brutally taken by two Arabs and it was they who gave her the name ‘Bakhita’, which means ‘fortunate’.
After a month in prison, the little slave girl was sold to a slave trader. Eager to return home, Bakhita plucked up courage and tried to escape. However, she was captured by a shepherd and sold to another Arab, a fierce and cruel man, who in turn sold her to another slave trader.
Again she was sold to a Turkish general, whose wife was a terribly wicked woman. He wanted to brand his slaves and Bakhita was among them. He called in a tattooist who, with a razor, marked the bodies of the girls who were writhing in pain, immersed in a pool of blood. Bakhita received 114 razor cuts on her chest, belly and arms, which were rubbed with salt so that the marks remained open. For a month, the young slaves were left untreated and uncared for.
In 1882, the Turkish general sold Bakhita to the consular agent Calisto Legnani, who was to be her good angel. In the consul’s house, Bakhita experienced serenity, affection and moments of joy, reminiscent of the happy times in her family home. In 1885, Mr. Calisto was forced to return to Italy; Bakhita asked to accompany him and was given permission. And so they left in the company of a friend, Mr. Augusto Michieli, whom the consul would present with the young African girl in Genoa.
Bakhita in Italy
Arriving in Italy with her 7th ‘employer’, the wealthy merchant Michieli, she went to the Zianino villa in Mirano Veneto where Bakhita became the nanny of Mimina, the couple’s little daughter. Although they were good and honest people, they didn’t practice religion. As always, God had his ways and ended up putting the Michielis’ administrator, Iluminato Chechini, in Bakhita’s path. Iluminato was a very religious man and soon became concerned about Bakhita’s religious formation; when he gave her a crucifix, he said in his heart: ‘Jesus, I entrust her to You’. When the Michielis had to return to Suakin in Africa for business reasons, Bakhita and little Mimina, thanks to Mr. Illuminato, were left in the care of the Canossian Sisters in Venice.
Bakhita began her catechumenate (catechesis to receive the initial sacraments) at the Sisters’ Institute. After nine months, Mrs. Maria Turina returned to Italy to collect her little daughter Mimina and the one she considered her slave, because they were returning to Africa. At that moment, Bakhita, already in love with Jesus and about to receive the sacraments, refused to go back to Africa, despite her affection for the Michieli family and especially for the little girl. She felt an inexplicable desire in her heart to embrace the faith and live it forever. Despite Mrs. Michieli’s pleas and even threats, our young African did not go back on her resolution. Bakhita was technically free, as there was no slavery in Italy. Her mistress returned to Africa with her daughter, and Bakhita continued with her catechesis, happy even though she knew it would have been her last chance to see her family in Africa.
A Canossian Sister
On January 9th, 1890, Bakhita was baptized, confirmed and received her First Communion from the hands of the Patriarch of Venice. At her baptism she was given the name Josephine Margaret Bakhita. She described this day as the happiest of her life: feeling like a child of God was an overwhelming emotion for her, as was receiving Jesus in the Eucharist. Bakhita treasured in her heart the sublime desire to become a religious: ‘a Canossian Sister’. She was then accepted into the Congregation of the Canossian Daughters of Charity, servants of the poor, and after three years of novitiate, on December 8th, 1896 she pronounced her vows of Chastity, Poverty and Obedience.
After her religious profession, Sister Bakhita was transferred to the town of Schio, at another work of the Congregation. She remained there for 45 years and came to be known as ‘Mother Morena’. Sister Bakhita was attentive to everyone, without distinction, from the school children, their parents, priests and her religious sisters, always bringing words of comfort, consolation and the unconditional love of God the Father to everyone. In every role she held, she always put her sweet and sincere heart into it: in the Church, in the Sacristy, at the gate or in the kitchen, she was everything to everyone, with her angelic smile. Remarkably, she once exclaimed, “If I could meet the slave traders who kidnapped me, and even the ones who tortured me, I would kneel down before them and kiss their hands, for if none of it had happened, I would be neither a Christian nor a nun today.”
Sister Bakhita, during her childhood in Africa, even without knowing anything about God, thought in her innocent and pure heart when she looked at the moon and the stars: ‘Who, then, will be the master of all these things?’. Surely God was already preparing her to know Him!
Bakhita dreamed of the conversion of the African people and, on the day of her religious profession, she prayed: ‘O Lord, if only I could fly far away among my people and proclaim your goodness to everyone in a loud voice. Oh, how many souls I could win for you! Among the first, my mother and father, my brothers, my sister who is still a slave… and everyone, all the poor black people in Africa. O Jesus, make them know and love You too!’.
In 1947, Bakhita fell ill and became quite debilitated, necessitating a wheelchair, but she was now able to spend hours in prayer, adoration and contemplation. It was February 8th, 1947, and our Sister Morena stammered: ‘How happy I am! Our Lady! Our Lady!’. After a while, in her last moments, she said: ‘I’m going slowly to eternity… 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 will open the other one and present the merits of Jesus Christ. I will say to the Father: ‘Now judge what you see’. I’m sure I won’t be rejected! Then I’ll turn to St Peter and say: ‘You can close the door because I’m staying’!
At 8pm, Sister Bakhita gave her soul to God. The people came in large crowds wanting to say their last goodbyes to Mother Morena, as her reputation for holiness had spread rapidly and everyone turned to her tomb asking for her intercession. On May 17th, 1992, she was beatified and, on October 1st, 2000, she was declared a ‘Saint’ by the Holy Father, Pope John Paul II.
The marvellous life journey of St. Bakhita should always inspire feelings of trust in Providence, gentleness towards everyone and joy in serving. She had indeed found that unknown “Master” of the moon and stars and, indeed, the true Master of all things. With His gentle yoke laid upon us, we will all find true freedom … and abiding joy.
By Fr. Alessandro Scherma Schurig, EP
(Text Extracted from: academico.arautos.org)
Compiled by Roberta MacEwan
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