SAINT FEAST DAY 8 FEBRUARY: ST JOSEPHINE BAKHITA

 

ALL SAINTS CELEBRATED IN FEBRUARY

Saints celebrated on the 8th of February

WELCOME!

SAINT JOSEPHINE BAKHITA, VIRGIN

Saint Josephine Bakhita was born in Sudan around 1869 but was abducted by slave traders at a young age and was so traumatised she forgot her own name. She is known by the name given to her by her abductors – Bakhita, which means “Lucky”. Bakhita was passed around from “owner” to “owner”, and one of them had her body scarred with intricate patterns. Eventually she ended up with an Italian family who sent her to school together with their own young daughter with the Canossian sisters in Schio, Venice. There she was baptised Josephine. 

SHE BECAME A RELIGIOUS WITH THE CANOSSIANS

She became a religious with the Canossians. She was the doorkeeper of the order and was well loved by the local people for her deep compassion and sweetness which she didn’t lose even during the painful illness which preceded her death. Josephine Bakhita was canonised in 2000. 

PRAYER:

Loving God, rewarder of the humble, you blessed St Josephine Bakhita with charity and patience. May her prayers help us, and her example inspire us to carry our cross and love you always. Pour upon us the spirit of wisdom and love with which you filled St Josephine Bakhita. By serving you as she did, may we please you by our faith and our actions. Grant this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, God, for ever and ever. Amen.