St. Josephine Bakhita, "Fortunate" One of God
In later years Josephine wrote a biography which made her known. She was invited to speak about her life and faith and helped to raise funds for the Sisters and their convents. I have not read her biography but I believe it is a book I do not want to miss.
Just why were people like Josephine Bakhita deemed worthy of Sainthood? It was not because they went through and survived terrible experiences. It was that they did not forget the One who made certain they were protected. Who was this God, this person who was with them in all their sufferings, and moments of joy? It was this person they owed their loyalty to, and whom they chose to serve with dignity and worth, walking side by side with God, even when bound by human hands or devious minds.
The Saints were exemplary on all counts. This is why they are Saints, and venerated, giving hope and interceding in heaven for blessings to us still struggling on our earthly journeys. It is not enough to say that what happened to St. Josephine is not remembered, but it is not good enough to remember without having compassion on those who inflicted her wounds and then poured salt into them. In later years when suffering an illness she experienced the agony of her chains and tormentors, just as if it were happening all over again.
No, she never forgot.
But it was the way she remembered that makes her a Saint, and an example for all to follow. She was canonized on October 1.
"A great silence listens, and I hear hope..." - Valery
Links:
1) Blessed Josephine Bakhita
You will find the holy women and men of Africa on this site by The Holy Angels Church, an African American Community Church in Chicago. This is a lovely site with murals, rich in history, devotion and respect for black Catholics who bring hope to those most forgotten http://www.holyangels.com/Blessed%252520...
2) Patron Saints Index: Saint Josephine Bakhita
"A woman skilled in this cruel art [tattooing] came to the general's house... our mistress stood behind us, whip in hand. The woman had a dish of white flour, a dish of salt and a razor ... When she had made her patterns; the woman took the razor and made incisions along the lines. Salt was poured into each of the wounds ... My face was spared, but 6 patterns were designed
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