Homily: Feast of St. Josephine Bakhita

Feast of St. Josephine Bakhita (Mk 7:24-30) “Patron Saint for the Enslaved”

Josephine Bakita was born in Sudan around 1869. She was part of a prosperous family. She said her early life was very happy. She had everything that she might want. But all that changed when she was about ten years old.

St. Josephine was kidnapped by an Arab slave trader. She was taken north to be sold. She spent about twelve years as a slave in Africa. She was bought and sold several times. Some of her owners were kind, most were cruel.

St. Josephine had to endure many indignities. One owner ordered that her body be mutilated. Her mistress watched as she was cut with a razor blade and salt was rubbed into the wounds. She was cut dozens of times. She was almost beaten to death on another occasion.

She finally was sold to an Italian Viceroy. When her owner returned to Italy she was taken along. She had a better life in Europe. Her owners left on a trip, and they left her in a convent with the Canossian Sisters. She took instructions from the sisters. She felt safe with the sisters for the first time.

When her owners returned, they wanted to take her back into bondage, but slavery was illegal in Italy. St. Josephine did not want to go back to her life as a slave and she fought against it. She won her legal case and was allowed to stay with the sisters.

She was baptized a Christian. She continued to live with the sisters until she was allowed to become a religious herself. She was renowned for her holiness, and she was canonized in the year 2000.

St. Josephine could be considered the patron saint of all who have been enslaved. There are still those who are bought and sold today. Most slaves today are bought and sold for sex. Many others are in forced labor. St. Josphine’s story reminds us of two things. One is that slavery has not ended. The second reality is that it has gone underground. We need to continue to pray and work so that all might be free.

Reflection Questions:

1.    Was I aware that there is still slavery in the world today? Why am I surprised?

2.   People still suffer in the Sudan. Could I learn more about that today?

 Dear Parishioners,

           Next Wednesday is Ash Wednesday. We will be burning palms this weekend before all the Masses. Please bring in your palms from last year so that we can make the ashes that will be distributed at Ash Wednesday Masses.

          If you have palms that are many years old, they can still be used. There are two ways to dispose of blessed items. One way is to burn them. Another way is to bury them.

          May Our Lady pray for us,

          Fr. Mark