By Sr Elizabeth Greim
The many statistics, charts, and reports show us that there are many stories to be told about women, men, and especially children who have been trafficked throughout the world. Our hearts remind us that these numbers and percentages each represent human beings—victims and survivors, often unnamed. But sometimes, one story is told as a sign of hope that freedom is possible. One such story is shared through various Christian traditions, especially in the Catholic Church.
February 8th is International Human Trafficking Awareness Day, observed by some Christian traditions. This day celebrates the life of one little girl who one day became a saint.
In 1869, in Darfur—now part of western Sudan— a little girl was born into a very respected and prosperous family. Her uncle was the chief of their village, and her father was a businessman. She lived a life of safety and love, but as a child, she could not know the dangers surrounding her. Her village was threatened by violence and child kidnappings. Her parents tried to keep her safe and told her not to go too far from the village.
Around 1877, while playing with her cousin, the young girl was suddenly approached by a group of men and became separated from her cousin. Her cousin was able to run away, but the men captured the seven-year-old girl and took her.
From that day, she was forced to walk 600 miles to larger cities. Over time, she was sold multiple times throughout Sudan, enduring abuse and violence. She was often beaten, and in her autobiography, she describes a time when, after accidentally knocking over a glass, she was beaten so severely that she was bedridden for months.
During her captivity, she was also subjected to the traditional scarring ritual practiced by some Sudanese ethnic groups, where patterns were carved into the skin for cultural, spiritual, or social reasons. However, unlike those who chose to undergo this practice as a rite of passage, Bakhita was forcibly marked against her will.
One hundred fourteen incisions were made throughout her body, and salt and flour were poured into the wounds, creating scars she carried for the rest of her life. Reflecting on this painful experience, she later wrote:
“I thought I would die, especially as they poured the salt into the wounds. It was a miracle—a miracle of God—that I did not die. He had destined me for better things.”
In 1883, she was sold to an Italian consul in Khartoum, Sudan. Some years later, she was brought to Italy and given to another family who needed a maid and nanny for their children.
She remained with this family in Italy for many years. They had business ventures in Sudan, and once, she was left to care for their daughter while the family traveled. For her protection, they sent her to a convent of the Canossian Daughters of Charity.
Upon their return, they told Bakhita that they had decided to return to Sudan for good. She requested to stay in Italy with the Canossian Sisters.
She had been baptized and hoped to become a sister one day. The woman of the house resisted this and refused to let her stay.
The Canossian Sisters, who had grown to love Bakhita, acquired a lawyer for her. He argued before the court that when she was kidnapped, Sudan was under British law, where slavery was illegal. What’s more, slavery was also illegal in Italy.
The court found that she was being held against her will and emancipated her from the family.
Bakhita remained in Italy, joined the community of the Canossian Daughters of Charity, and was given the name St. Josephine Marie Fortunata—“Fortunata,” the Latin translation of Bakhita. She chose to always keep the name Bakhita as a reminder of the miracle of her life.
Throughout her life, she spoke to parishioners and anyone who would listen about her life in captivity, her suffering as an enslaved girl, and her final freedom—born from her determination, courage, and a miracle from God.
She lived a holy life with her sisters and died in Schio, Italy, on February 8, 1947. Recognizing the exemplary life and courage of Sr. Josephine, the Catholic Church declared her a saint on October 1, 2000.
Pope St. John Paul II said of her:
“In today’s world, countless women continue to be victimized, even in developed modern societies. In St. Josephine Bakhita, we find a shining advocate of genuine emancipation. The history of her life inspires not passive acceptance but the firm resolve to work effectively to free girls and women from oppression and violence and to return them to their dignity in the full exercise of their rights.”
The story of St. Josephine Bakhita has inspired me to pray each day for those who are trafficked, enslaved, and suffering. She reminds me that human resilience can overcome darkness.
Sharing stories like St. Josephine Bakhita’s and so many others who have found freedom through escape or rescue gives us hope. Our hope is in the possibilities of freedom for those in the midst of despair and helplessness.
Hope is a remedy.
Sources:
https://www.vatican.va/news_services/liturgy/saints/ns_lit_doc_20001001_giuseppina-bakhita_en.html