The Blessed Virgin protected me when I didn’t even know her

Josephine Bakhita (1869-1947) was a former Sudanese slave converted to Christianity, who became a saint. The story of her 78-year earthly journey is truly captivating, rife with dangerous journeys and abusive masters. She eventually gained her freedom and discovered Christ while sojourning in Italy.

On January 9, 1890, Josephine received the three sacraments of initiation: baptism, the Eucharist, and confirmation. She took the names of Josephine, Margaret, Fortunata, Maria (Fortunata is the Latin translation for her Arabic name, Bakhita; Giuseppina, Gioseffa, or Josephine is for her baptismal godmother; Maria is for the Virgin Mary, to put herself under her protection). That same day she made her consecration to Our Lady and received the medal and the blue ribbon of the Daughters of Mary.

Josephine had a deep love for the Blessed Mother: "The Blessed Virgin protected me, even when I did not know her. Even in the depths of discouragement and sadness, when I was a slave, I never despaired, because I felt in myself a mysterious force that supported me."

She eventually entered a convent to become a Canossian Daughter of Charity (a religious order) in Italy, witnessing God’s love in an exemplary manner. She made her first vows on December 8, 1896, in Verona, and asked to wear the medal of Our Lady of Sorrows.

During World War II, the people of the village of Schio regarded her as their protector. And although bombs fell on their village, not one citizen was killed.

In her later years, she began to suffer physical pain and was forced to use a wheelchair. But she always remained cheerful. If anyone asked her how she was, she would reply, "As the master desires."

In December 1946, her health deteriorated dramatically, foreshadowing an approaching end. Mother Clotilde Sella remembers: "When I reminded her that it was Saturday—a day dedicated to the Blessed Virgin—Mother Josephine exclaimed joyously: ‘How happy I am! Our Lady, Our Lady!’ These were her last intelligible words. She died on February 8, 1947.

She was canonized on October 1, 2000 by Pope Saint John Paul II. Saint Josephine Bakhita is the patron saint of Sudan and her feast day is celebrated on February 8th.

Adapted from Our History with Mary