On February 8, the Catholic Church celebrates the Feast Day of St. Josephine Bakhita, a saint whose life embodies resilience, forgiveness, and unwavering faith in God.
A Life Transformed by Faith
Born in 1869 in Darfur, Sudan, Josephine was kidnapped as a child and sold into slavery, enduring years of torment. “As a slave, I never despaired because I felt a mysterious force supporting me.”
In 1890, she was baptized, taking the name Josephine Margaret Fortunata. She later joined the Canossian Sisters, known affectionately as “Mother Moretta.”
Lessons from St. Josephine’s Life
Pope Francis highlights Josephine’s remarkable capacity for forgiveness, calling her “an existential parable of forgiveness.”
Novena to St. Josephine Bakhita
God of goodness and mercy, rewarder of the humble, you blessed St. Josephine Bakhita of Sudan with charity and patience. St. Josephine Bakhita, pray for us. Amen.
