Someone told me to read the lives of the saints to help me in times of dark night of the soul. Not just the saints but as well as people who had the courage to come back. These are ordinary people who managed to crawl out of their darkness with the help of others and divine intervention.
She was born in Sudan in 1869, kidnapped by Arab slave trades at age seven, sold and resold, suffered much trauma, abuse and brutality during her captivity that caused her to forget her own name. She was named Bakhita, meaning “the lucky one”. Life as a slave terrified her.
Forgiveness:“If I were to meet the slave merchants who kidnapped me, and even those who tortured me, I would kneel and kiss their hands. If what happened to me had never taken place, how could I have become a Christian and a religious?”
Eventually, in 1883 an Italian consul bought her, treated her kindly in his household, took her to Italy and was given as present to a wife of friend. When the new owner left for Africa to attend to business matters, she gave the Canossian Sisters of Venice custody of Bakhita. Here she found out that she is a free person and remained with the Sisters, became a nun and known as the “Black Mother.”
Bakhita, what a life story she had at a tender age. How does one get over the abuse she received as a child? With the help of others that cared about her and discovered that she has a new Master, her God, she recovered.
During the millennium year 2000, Pope Paul II canonized Josephine Bakhita.
Sources:
Wikipedia: Josephine Bakhita
UCatholic: February 8 Saint of the day
Depressed and Catholic: Bakhita, hope for those abused in childhood
Goodness has its rewards. 🙂
Goodness is good for the soul.
Her story in itself is incredible but to be able to forgive… THAT is truly amazing!
She is an amazing person One has to forgive to find peace.
So my plotting revenge isn’t the answer???
Hilarious, as long as it’s a funny one. 😛
Weeeeellllllllll….
Mercy me, this is one powerful inspirational woman with a heart wide and big as oceans. Thanks for sharing. xoxo
Imagine to live through that and be able to tell her story in peace. You are welcome. xox to you too.
Very inspiring!! Indeed, all our experiences of the past, no matter how terrible, make us who we are today. I’m not sure I can forgive everyone yet, but I am thankful to Him for helping me and giving me what I need to survive! Great post, P! Thank you! 🙂
You are welcome, tk. Give time to heal. You will be amaze the power of forgiveness. Blessings.
🙂
What a profound and beautiful story. Yes, God can restore anyone…thank you for sharing.
The restorative gift on having faith on God is beyond comprehension. Thank you for reading.
Wow. What a life story!
Indeed.,..
Thank you for this Seeker.
I thought of you when I did this post, cm. You are welcome.
I’m honored. I can’t wait to see more of her. There are clips and things on youtube that I am going to watch this weekend. Just her face makes me want to know more about her, and see her face more. Thank you.
If you click on the picture, there is a short clip on Youtube. You are welcome.
OH!!!!! 🙂
Heartfelt. Nice story.
Thank you.
Inspiring story. Thanks for sharing!
You are welcome.