Codice prodotto: L10339
Memorial Day: February 8
When did Saint Josefine live: 1869 - 1947
BIOGRAPHY:
Josefine Bakhita was born in the Darfur region of Sudan to an esteemed family. At about seven years of age, she was kidnapped by Arab slave traders; the shock was so traumatic that she forgot her own name, leading her captors to call her "Bakhita" (the lucky one). After years of cruel slavery and being sold multiple times, she eventually came into the possession of an Italian consul who took her to Italy. There she encountered the Christian faith, entered the Institute of the Canossian Sisters, and was baptized in 1890. She spent the remainder of her life as a religious sister in Schio, where she became known for her gentleness, deep piety, and readiness to forgive her tormentors. She passed away in 1947 after a long illness while calling upon the Mother of God.
PATRONAGE:
St. Josefine Bakhita is the patron saint of the African continent and African Christians, Sudan, and victims of human trafficking and slavery.
SYMBOLISM, DEPICTION:
The symbols of Saint Josefine Bakhita are the religious habit as a sign of her membership in the Canossian Sisters, a medal with the image of the Virgin Mary as an expression of her deep Marian devotion, and a book representing the Gospel and her religious education.
PATRON SAINT OF:
Josefine, Josephine, Josefa, Josepha, Josée, Josiane, Fina, Fine, Finja, Giuseppina, Giusi, Pina, Pinuccia, Peppa, Josefina, Joséphe, Josette, Jo, Joey, Jojo. Bakita