Bakhita

Bakhita, family (3), Slave traders (2), Arab family (1b, 2g), Italian Family (4), Nuns (3), young man

(Enter Bakhita, Family, slave traders)

Josephine Bakhita was born into a good family in Sudan in 1869.  She used to play with her brothers and sisters, and eat good meals, and was always happy.  Then one day when she was nine she was kidnapped by Arab Slave traders! (Exit family)

They made her walk very far,  and treated her badly, whipping her and beating her.  So badly in fact that eventually she forgot her name!  So she started to go by the name “Bakhita”, which is Arabic for “Lucky”.  The slave traders even forced her to become Muslim, saying “Become Muslim or we will kill you!”

(Enter Arab family)

One day she was sold to a very Wealthy Arab man, and made to serve his 2 daughters.

(Exit slave traders)

 At first they treated her well, but then one day she accidentally broke a vase.  Her owner kicked her so hard that she could not move.  Then they began to whip her.  Finally, they drew a pattern on her skin in flour, then traced the pattern with a razor, then poured salt in to the pattern so that it would leave permanent scars.  Bakhita cried because of the great pain!

(Enter Italian family)

Eventually the Arabs sold her to an Italian Family. 

(Exit Arab Family)

The Italian man said “Bakhita, you will come with me to Italy, and look after my kids.  You will be their nanny!”  The Italians treated her very well.  But eventually, they decided to sell everything they had and move back to Sudan!  Before they left, Bakhita and the girl she nannied for, Michelle, went to stay a few days in a convent with some nuns.

(Enter Nuns) When it was time to go to Sudan, the Italian man said “Ok, Bakhita, come on now!”

But Bakhita said “No!  I want to be a nun!”

The man said “Bakhita, you are our slave, and you cannot choose that.  Come on.”

But one of the nuns said “Slavery is illegal in Italy, and in Sudan, so you can’t have any slaves.   She is free to make her own choice!” 

So the Italian family left, and Bakhita was welcomed to join the nuns!

(Exit Italian family)

When she became a Catholic, she took the name “Josephine” and so became known as Sister Josephine Bakhita.  She soon had a reputation for being holy! 

(Enter young man)

 When a young man once asked her “What would you do if you met your captors again?”  she said “I would kneel at their feet and kiss their hands, because if it were not for them I would never have become Catholic!”

In her old age, Bakhita was confined to a wheelchair.  But she remained cheerful, even when sick.  The last thing she ever said was “I am so happy-  Our Lady, Our Lady!”  Then she died.

St Josephine Bakhita-

Pray for us!