Saint For Our Times

The life of St. Josephine Bakhita, canonized in 2000 by Pope St. John Paul II, provides inspiration and hope not only for the people of the Sudan, where she was born, but for the rest of the world. She was kidnapped at the age of eight from a noble family and sold into slavery. Until she was bought and given to a family in Italy, she suffered brutally under some of her "owners".  She became a Catholic and eventually a Sister and for 42 years in a convent in the Sudan cared lovingly for others.  When asked what she would do if she ever met her captors, she said she would thank them because if it were not for them she would not have become a Catholic nor a Sister.  Appropriately, she is the patron of the Sudan and of trafficking victims, both in need of a special intercessor in heaven.
St. Josephine's forgiveness, gratitude and humble, loving service to others serves as an example for all, who, because of our pain, can easily lose sight of the message of forgiveness and love which is at the heart of the teachings of Jesus.
Bro. Rene