Barn Owl

Happy Feast Day Saint Josephine Bakhita

1869-1947 Feast Day: February 8 Patronage: Sudan

Saint Josephine grew up in a happy and prosperous family in Darfur, Sudan. At 9, she was kidnapped and bought and sold numerous times into slavery. Some of her owners were fair, others cruel, beating her severely. In 1883, Josephine was sold to the Italian Vice Consul and brought to Italy, where she was given to another family to serve as a nanny. Thru the guidance of the Canossian Sisters of Venice, she learned about God and entered the Church. The Sacraments were administered by Cardinal Patriarch of Venice, Pope St. Pius X. In 1896, She became a sister of the Canossian Daughters of Charity, assisting her community and teaching others about God. She forgave and even thanked her kidnappers because it was through them she came to know God. The people of Schio regarded her as their protector during WWII.