Josephine Bakhita
Sudanese slavery survivor who became a nun and witness to redemption and the power of forgiveness.
Patronage
Sudan, trafficking victims, domestic workers, healing from trauma
Virtues & Traits
Biography
Josephine Bakhita was a Sudanese-born saint who endured slavery and trafficking before becoming a Canossian nun and spiritual witness to forgiveness. Born around 1869, she was kidnapped at age nine and sold into slavery, suffering repeated abuse, being sold multiple times across North Africa and the Middle East. In 1889, she was purchased by an Italian family and brought to Italy. There she encountered the Catholic faith and experienced genuine human dignity for the first time. She was baptized in 1890 and joined the Canossian Sisters of the Sacred Heart in 1896. Despite her traumatic past, Bakhita radiated joy and spoke of her sufferings as a path to faith. She spent her remaining 50 years in prayer, spiritual direction, and speaking about her experiences. Her testimony became increasingly valuable in her later years as she spoke worldwide about redemption and God's mercy. She was canonized in 2000, becoming the first citizen of Sudan recognized as a saint.