St. Josephine Bakhita
Patron Saint of Sudan and Human Trafficking Survivors
St. Josephine Bakhita lived from 1869-1947 in Sudan and Italy. When she was 7 or 8 years old, she was kidnapped by slave traders and sold into slavery throughout the Arab world for 12 years. After being placed in the custody of the Canossian Sisters, she discovered the Catholic faith, and eventually gained her freedom. She joined the Canossians in 1893 and spent the rest of her life serving her fellow sisters and her local community. She was known for her gentleness, especially assuaging fears in her community during World War 2. At the end of her life she thanked her kidnappers; for if it was not for them, she might not have found God. “Be good, love the Lord, pray for those who do not know Him. What a great grace it is to know God!” -St. Josephine Bakhita