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St. Bakhita: Servant of Joy
(1869-1947)
Today I would like to introduce you to a woman who spent several years of her life as a slave before becoming a religious sister. Her name was Bakhita, which means, "Lucky One," and by the grace of God in the year 2000, she was canonized a saint.
Born in the eastern part of the Sudan in 1869, Bakhita had a beautiful childhood that was full of happiness and love. Unfortunately, this beautiful world abruptly ended when, at the age of twelve, she and a friend were kidnapped from their village and sold into slavery. For the next two years, her life was a constant nightmare. The Turkish family who bought her from the slave traders abused her physically and psychologically. She was brutally treated, humiliated and even tortured. By God's goodness and grace, her nightmare finally ended when the Turkish family decided to sell her because they were moving back to their homeland. She was sold to an Italian government official.
Bakhita's life with the government official dramatically changed. She no longer had to worry about being punished or mistreated, but instead was treated with the utmost respect. When the official was called back to Italy, Bakhita went with him. She never set foot in Africa again. Soon after, Bakhita found herself in another household, but this time rather than being a maid, she was a nanny looking after a young Italian girl. Through a series of events, Bakhita studied the Catholic faith under the tutorship of the Canossian Sisters. She was eventually baptized and several years later entered their novitiate to become a religious. In 1896, she took her perpetual vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience.
Bakhita remained a Sister for the rest of her life, performing the most menial of tasks. She would testify that her conversion to the Catholic faith and vocation to religious life was guided by the hand of God. As amazing as this is, I believe what is more amazing, according to many witnesses, is that her very being radiated the joy of Christ. Even though she endured so much pain and suffering as a young child, Bakhita never showed signs of bitterness or resentment. Anger never took hold of her. She recognized God's Providence acting within her life and was ever thankful for His Mercy and Love. From her heart poured forth the "joy of the Lord."
From what I have read about this magnificent saint, it seems that one thing is clear; Bakhita forgave those who took her away from family and home, sold her into slavery, and as a slave brutalized her. She took our dear Lord's words to heart when He said, "Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you." Likewise, she learned Peter's lesson when he asked Jesus how many times he should forgive his brother who sins against him, in which Jesus replied, "Seventy times seven times."
Bakhita's ability to "forgive" those who enslaved her, freed her from bitterness, resentment and anger. It was a powerful tool that led her from bondage to freedom, from darkness to light, from hatred to peace. By embracing the spiritual virtue of forgiveness, coupled with God's grace, Bakhita lived a life of peace, happiness and joy.
It is never easy to forgive those who have hurt or injured us, but Christ calls us to do just that. It is part of the Christian message and was ultimately carried out by Our Divine Redeemer who, while hanging on the cross, looked up to Heaven and said, "Father, forgive them for they know not what they do." These same words must be upon our lips and within our heart, otherwise we will never experience the same spiritual fruits that Bakhita experienced.
St. Bakhita, pray for us.
God bless!
St. Bakhita's feast day is February 8. She is the patron saint of Sudan.
For further reading about St Bakhita read or visit:
The book St Bakhita from African Slave to Servant of God by Ann Brown
Catholic-forum.com - St. Bakhita