St Paul's Catholic Primary School

Saint Josephine Bakhita – Nursery Saint

Josephine was born in the Sudan area of Africa in 1869 into a loving family of Mother, Father, 3 brother and 3 sisters. She said;“I lived a very happy and carefree life, without knowing what suffering was.”

In 1877, when she was 7-8 years old, she was kidnapped by slave traders and was forced to walk barefoot about 600 miles. Over the course of 12 years, she was sold and bought 5 times and then given away.

Some of the families who bought Josephine were kind to her, but some were very cruel and beat and hurt her.

In 1883, Josephine was sold to an Italian man, who took her to Italy to be a servant to his Wife and children. But in 1888, he returned to the Sudan with his wife, leaving Josephine in a convent in Italy with his children.

Josephine was touched by the loving care of the Nuns in the convent and wanted to know more about God and become closer to him through prayer.

In December 1896, Josephine became a nun in the convent and served God until her death in 1947. She was loved by her local community who called her’ Sor Moretta’ (Little Brown Sister).

When Josephine died, thousands of people came to the convent to pay their respects.

Josephine was once asked by a student; “ What would you do if you were to meet your captors?” Josephine said; “ If I were to meet those who kidnapped me and even those who tortured me, I would kneel and kiss their hands. For, if these things had not happened, I would not be a Christian today.”