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Bakhita: From Slave to Saint
When she was about nine years old, Josephine Bakhita was kidnapped near Darfur, Sudan, by Arab slave traders. For several years she was subjected to brutal and humiliating treatment until she was ransomed and taken to Venice, Italy, where she became a Catholic and a nun. Joyfully and serenely Bakhita served in a convent, school and infirmary run by Canossian sisters in a small, obscure town in northern Italy until her death in 1947. Then something even more remarkable than her redemption happened. Hundreds of ordinary people came to see Bakhita lying in state, and along with these visits came stories about how the simple nun had given comfort, advice and encouragement as she went about her tasks as cook, doorkeeper, nurse, etc. Almost immediately graces and miracles attributed to Bakhita's intercession began to be reported. Ever since, the place where Bakhita died and the wonders began has been a shrine visited by people from all over the world. They come to seek the intercession of one who was no stranger to loss and suffering and yet had given herself with complete confidence to the Lord. It is here, in this sparsely furnished room, where Italian journalist Roberto Italo Zanini begins his story of Bakhita and her journey from slavery to sainthood. Based on Bakhita's autobiography, which she dictated to a Canossian sister in obedience to her superior, the canonization files and many other sources, Zanini records the life, virtues and miracles of this daughter of Africa who has become a sister to the whole world. Illustrated with 16 pages of photos.
210 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2000
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March 9, 2014
Forgiving a cruelty, be it large or small, can be a very hard thing for people to do. Sometimes people find it is easier to hold on to an all consuming grudge rather than pardon the inflictor of the hurt. That is what makes Saint Josephine Bakhita of the Sudan such a remarkably unique person in the laundry list of Catholic saints.
While the act of forgiving is a Christian virtue, and there are many saints who have practiced it to a heroic degree, what makes Saint Josephine Bakhita different is that her whole early life was nothing but a timeline of incessant and acute brutality and dehumanization. Born in 1869 in Olgossa in Darfur, Sudan, she was raised in a stable, prosperous and loving household. Her early life was no different from that of any other child of her period and culture. She had chores and responsibilities, but she was also rich in carefree wonder, frolicking and fun. However, in 1874 one cross in a long line of crosses would enter Bakhita’s life, the first one being the abduction of her older sister by slave traders. The close sisters would never see each again. Two years later, Bakhita herself would also be kidnapped and sold, and ultimately, subjected to unspeakable tortures, like cuttings, mutilations, tattooing and beatings. In 1876, she made her first attempt at escape but was subsequently recaptured and sold a second time in El Obeid. As long periods of time elapsed with various owners, for she was sold four times in total and then handed off temporarily a fifth time, she saw the worst of what human nature had to offer. It was only through her submissive obedience to her sundry lot of ‘masters’ that she was able to keep her wits about herself, while internally she cried herself to Heaven.
It was only after her final enslavement to an Italian consul named Calisto Legnani that things slowly started to change for Bakhita. Calisto Legnani took her then to Genoa, Italy where he entrusted her to a married couple named Agusto and Turina Michieli who, from thenceforward, took her to Venice (after other sojourns) alongside their daughter to the Institute of Catechumens run by the Canossian Sisters. It was there that Bakhita got the name and the story of the man and God whom she felt in her life all along but could not adequately express. When she was a child, she was always in awe of the splendid beauty of her homeland, the raw and fiery landscapes that entranced and enveloped her. By her simple awareness of the beauty that beheld her, she knew that there was a higher power or force that was responsible for the mystical feelings that always enraptured her. She knew that He existed, yet, she could not explain who He was nor eloquently explain that presence that she beheld. But it was something that was ever present in the landscape and in herself, and clearly, it was a gift of God to her. Those quiet moments and powerful images helped to sustain Bakhita and reassured her that she was not alone in her suffering and desolation. When she and the Michieli’s young daughter were sent to the Institute of Catechumens for catechetical instruction, it was there that things began to gel for Bakhita. She learned of Jesus Christ suffering on the Cross and of His heroic forgiveness; it was that stark cognizance that cemented her belief in why she never truly felt utterly alone in her enslavement. With that epiphany, she sensed that she was being asked by the Lord to be her master, and when she consented, she would have to do something absolutely unheard of in the annals of slave history. She would have to tell her masters, No. I am not going back with you. It was an incident that certainly did create a brouhaha and stirred people’s passions, but a calling is a calling, and some people will certainly jump through hoops of fire to ensure that that calling is seen through.
Bakhita was ultimately baptized and entered into the Canossian novitiate, where she grew in holiness, a nun sought out by many in the community who attested to the serene holiness that was within her. But even when she was growing in sanctity, she never lost her down-to-earth and sweet temperament. She too was also know for her sharp wise cracks and calling a spade a spade when necessary. She was not a pushover by any stretch of the imagination, despite her constant availability and unceasing praying, for it was all for the glory of God. While she had many mundane responsibilities within the Canossian Order, probably the most difficult thing for her was the constant retelling of her life as a slave. The constant act of remembering brutal horror so that others might be better, was, for me, an ultimate act of charity. Bakhita was embraced, but she was still considered somewhat of an anomaly in her environment, as there were no other African sisters. But her exoticness is what drew people to her, and when she spoke, it was always with words of wisdom, love and forgiveness, truths as conveyed by the Lord. Her life was an example of those words. She was even so humble as to acknowledge her slave traders for bringing her to Jesus Christ.
What is so unique, too, is how Bakhita’s life story spread, thanks in large part to the Catholic prelature Opus Dei and soon-to-be Saint Pope John Paul II, who beatified Josephine Bakhita alongside Opus Dei’s founder Josemaria Escriva. Opus Dei, which means Work of God, is a lay group (in a nutshell) whereby Catholics not called to religious life but who still want to serve the Church, seek holiness in their every day lives by dedicating their family and work-a-day tasks and responsibilities to God. And that in essence, is what Saint Josephine Bakhita did to such a heroic degree; she offered her work, life and uppermost, her forgivness as an example. And it’s really the members of Opus Dei who carried the story of Bakhita throughout the world. Also noted, however, are the numerous and noted miracles attested to her intercession after her death.
This was a really illuminating and interesting read. It is a story that is straightforward yet compelling, as every good human life is. The book conveys the power of faith while not diminishing the hurt and suffering that brought Bakhita to that faith. I personally believe that Saint Josephine Bakhita is one of the Church’s greatest saints. She, in echoing our Lord Jesus Christ on the Cross, from the Book of Luke, has a very valuable lesson to teach us: “Father, forgive them for they do not know what they do.”
While the act of forgiving is a Christian virtue, and there are many saints who have practiced it to a heroic degree, what makes Saint Josephine Bakhita different is that her whole early life was nothing but a timeline of incessant and acute brutality and dehumanization. Born in 1869 in Olgossa in Darfur, Sudan, she was raised in a stable, prosperous and loving household. Her early life was no different from that of any other child of her period and culture. She had chores and responsibilities, but she was also rich in carefree wonder, frolicking and fun. However, in 1874 one cross in a long line of crosses would enter Bakhita’s life, the first one being the abduction of her older sister by slave traders. The close sisters would never see each again. Two years later, Bakhita herself would also be kidnapped and sold, and ultimately, subjected to unspeakable tortures, like cuttings, mutilations, tattooing and beatings. In 1876, she made her first attempt at escape but was subsequently recaptured and sold a second time in El Obeid. As long periods of time elapsed with various owners, for she was sold four times in total and then handed off temporarily a fifth time, she saw the worst of what human nature had to offer. It was only through her submissive obedience to her sundry lot of ‘masters’ that she was able to keep her wits about herself, while internally she cried herself to Heaven.
It was only after her final enslavement to an Italian consul named Calisto Legnani that things slowly started to change for Bakhita. Calisto Legnani took her then to Genoa, Italy where he entrusted her to a married couple named Agusto and Turina Michieli who, from thenceforward, took her to Venice (after other sojourns) alongside their daughter to the Institute of Catechumens run by the Canossian Sisters. It was there that Bakhita got the name and the story of the man and God whom she felt in her life all along but could not adequately express. When she was a child, she was always in awe of the splendid beauty of her homeland, the raw and fiery landscapes that entranced and enveloped her. By her simple awareness of the beauty that beheld her, she knew that there was a higher power or force that was responsible for the mystical feelings that always enraptured her. She knew that He existed, yet, she could not explain who He was nor eloquently explain that presence that she beheld. But it was something that was ever present in the landscape and in herself, and clearly, it was a gift of God to her. Those quiet moments and powerful images helped to sustain Bakhita and reassured her that she was not alone in her suffering and desolation. When she and the Michieli’s young daughter were sent to the Institute of Catechumens for catechetical instruction, it was there that things began to gel for Bakhita. She learned of Jesus Christ suffering on the Cross and of His heroic forgiveness; it was that stark cognizance that cemented her belief in why she never truly felt utterly alone in her enslavement. With that epiphany, she sensed that she was being asked by the Lord to be her master, and when she consented, she would have to do something absolutely unheard of in the annals of slave history. She would have to tell her masters, No. I am not going back with you. It was an incident that certainly did create a brouhaha and stirred people’s passions, but a calling is a calling, and some people will certainly jump through hoops of fire to ensure that that calling is seen through.
Bakhita was ultimately baptized and entered into the Canossian novitiate, where she grew in holiness, a nun sought out by many in the community who attested to the serene holiness that was within her. But even when she was growing in sanctity, she never lost her down-to-earth and sweet temperament. She too was also know for her sharp wise cracks and calling a spade a spade when necessary. She was not a pushover by any stretch of the imagination, despite her constant availability and unceasing praying, for it was all for the glory of God. While she had many mundane responsibilities within the Canossian Order, probably the most difficult thing for her was the constant retelling of her life as a slave. The constant act of remembering brutal horror so that others might be better, was, for me, an ultimate act of charity. Bakhita was embraced, but she was still considered somewhat of an anomaly in her environment, as there were no other African sisters. But her exoticness is what drew people to her, and when she spoke, it was always with words of wisdom, love and forgiveness, truths as conveyed by the Lord. Her life was an example of those words. She was even so humble as to acknowledge her slave traders for bringing her to Jesus Christ.
What is so unique, too, is how Bakhita’s life story spread, thanks in large part to the Catholic prelature Opus Dei and soon-to-be Saint Pope John Paul II, who beatified Josephine Bakhita alongside Opus Dei’s founder Josemaria Escriva. Opus Dei, which means Work of God, is a lay group (in a nutshell) whereby Catholics not called to religious life but who still want to serve the Church, seek holiness in their every day lives by dedicating their family and work-a-day tasks and responsibilities to God. And that in essence, is what Saint Josephine Bakhita did to such a heroic degree; she offered her work, life and uppermost, her forgivness as an example. And it’s really the members of Opus Dei who carried the story of Bakhita throughout the world. Also noted, however, are the numerous and noted miracles attested to her intercession after her death.
This was a really illuminating and interesting read. It is a story that is straightforward yet compelling, as every good human life is. The book conveys the power of faith while not diminishing the hurt and suffering that brought Bakhita to that faith. I personally believe that Saint Josephine Bakhita is one of the Church’s greatest saints. She, in echoing our Lord Jesus Christ on the Cross, from the Book of Luke, has a very valuable lesson to teach us: “Father, forgive them for they do not know what they do.”
August 13, 2019
Beautiful. Makes me want to learn more how to love as purely as she did and turn to God with such total childlike trust.
March 7, 2023
I loved reading about Bahkita, but didn’t like the flow of the book so much and found some of it repetitive.
October 16, 2023
5 stars
O Mother Bakhita, what a beautiful soul you are!
This was my impression from the very start to the very end of this book. The beginning and the end made me tear up unexpectedly even though what was being related was so simple. Still, I was greatly moved.
Your heart aches as you read this. Her life story brings you pain, yet she bore the pain dutifully, beautifully, and later joyfully. As one progresses in reading this book, your heart aches with the very full feeling of joy.
I had seen Bakhita mentioned on social media and her endearing smile painted on many posts for months before New Year's Day 2023. I didn't really pay attention to her, but I knew of her because I'd seen her everywhere. At the beginning of the year, many Catholics were sharing the saint they got from Jen Fulwiler's Saint of the Year generator. I decided to go for it after reading an article from the Young Catholic Woman about how one should choose a saint to grow with during the year. As you can probably guess, the generator gave me St. Josephine Bakhita. That's how I came across this book, and I'm glad to have it.
I know some had an issue with the way the story of Bakhita's life and the events related to her were ordered, but I didn't mind it because the events were often related to a topic that was being covered in the chapter or section. It largely depends on one's own preferences I suppose. My only complaint is against myself - that I didn't read it more consistently and frequently!
Regardless, I recommend reading up on St. Josephine Bakhita. What an example to learn from!
O Mother Bakhita, what a beautiful soul you are!
This was my impression from the very start to the very end of this book. The beginning and the end made me tear up unexpectedly even though what was being related was so simple. Still, I was greatly moved.
Your heart aches as you read this. Her life story brings you pain, yet she bore the pain dutifully, beautifully, and later joyfully. As one progresses in reading this book, your heart aches with the very full feeling of joy.
I had seen Bakhita mentioned on social media and her endearing smile painted on many posts for months before New Year's Day 2023. I didn't really pay attention to her, but I knew of her because I'd seen her everywhere. At the beginning of the year, many Catholics were sharing the saint they got from Jen Fulwiler's Saint of the Year generator. I decided to go for it after reading an article from the Young Catholic Woman about how one should choose a saint to grow with during the year. As you can probably guess, the generator gave me St. Josephine Bakhita. That's how I came across this book, and I'm glad to have it.
I know some had an issue with the way the story of Bakhita's life and the events related to her were ordered, but I didn't mind it because the events were often related to a topic that was being covered in the chapter or section. It largely depends on one's own preferences I suppose. My only complaint is against myself - that I didn't read it more consistently and frequently!
Regardless, I recommend reading up on St. Josephine Bakhita. What an example to learn from!
August 22, 2022
What an inspiring story of moving from trauma into freedom, forgiveness, and cheerful service to others. Suffering well, jumping to be first to serve…her story is beautiful and inspiring from the incredible moments of being stolen into slavery to her quiet ways and gentle manner. Saint Bakhita is a new family member!
March 24, 2016
At age nine, Bakhita was kidnapped away from her loving family and sold into a life of slavery. During her enslavement, she endured brutal treatment until she was taken to Italy, where she eventually became a nun.
Bakhita's story is inspiring. I really enjoyed reading the sections where people who had actually known Bakhita shared their stories. And of course, I liked reading the actual stories of her life. Those parts were my favorite and the ones I most enjoyed. The rest of the book, while informative, was rather dry and it was hard for me to stayed interested in reading.
Bakhita's story is wonderful, though, and I greatly enjoyed learning about her.
Bakhita's story is inspiring. I really enjoyed reading the sections where people who had actually known Bakhita shared their stories. And of course, I liked reading the actual stories of her life. Those parts were my favorite and the ones I most enjoyed. The rest of the book, while informative, was rather dry and it was hard for me to stayed interested in reading.
Bakhita's story is wonderful, though, and I greatly enjoyed learning about her.
March 25, 2017
If you enjoy reading the lives of the saints this is a book that should be on every shelf. Bakhita was called by God at a young age and had a deep love for Christ Crucified. Bakhita endured many sufferings in her life; kidnapped from her family and sold as a slave that was harshly treated.
God was silently at work in her life and drew this humble, gentle soul into His heart.
This is a excellent book to read aloud to your family.
God was silently at work in her life and drew this humble, gentle soul into His heart.
This is a excellent book to read aloud to your family.
August 26, 2021
"Bakhita" means lucky in Arabic. The name was given to a nine year-old Sudanese slave girl kidnapped by Turkish slave masters. It was not a term of endearment. Much of the material for the book was taken from "Tales of Wonder," published in 1931, in addition to interviews with those who had encounters with the future saint. Her owners beatings were merciless, and on one occasion they cut her arms, legs and breasts with a razor and then poured salt into the wounds to slow the healing process. She was sold to an Italian Consul who later gave her to a well-to-do family, the Michieli's, as a nanny to their two children. Bakhita became especially close to Alice Augusta, their little girl. Circumstances placed the pair at a Canossian convent school in Schio, where she was introduced to Catholicism. The impact was to last for the rest of her life. During WWII she comforted dying soldiers with an unyielding faith. Witnesses for beatification remembered an aura of saintliness with each encounter. Miraculous cures attested to the Vatican made for an easy case for sainthood. She died in 1947, dressed in a worn out, stitched habit, with only a Crucifix, a prayer book and a Rosary. With a smile, Bakhita's last words were, "Come, come let's go to the Foundress, when I am there I will not go away anymore and I will stay there forever." In my darkest hours, I now have a new Patron Saint.
May 3, 2020
Thanks for creating this book, Mr. Zanini! It seems to be the most up-to-date and comprehensive study of St. Bakhita’s life and legacy available. I think Zanini has done a great job consulting a wide range of sources. This includes the existing biographies of Bakhita (including the 1936 Tale of Wonder), which Zanini subjects to source discussion. But I especially appreciated the attention he paid to the wider context of Bakhita’s life, situating her story within the fluctuation of the slave trade, European racism, and contemporary religious conflict in Africa. Zanini’s survey of the legacy of St. Bakhita, especially her canonization and miracles, her cultural legacy for Africa, made this biography very comprehensive.
Zanini’s writing style (at least in the English translation) improves when he’s to-the-point in discussing facts. The intro suffers from a drawn-out prose style that says little with many words. Zanini’s own spiritual reflections are not the most interesting, but this book benefits from heavily citing the spiritual masters that have reflected on St. Bakhita’s life.
Zanini’s writing style (at least in the English translation) improves when he’s to-the-point in discussing facts. The intro suffers from a drawn-out prose style that says little with many words. Zanini’s own spiritual reflections are not the most interesting, but this book benefits from heavily citing the spiritual masters that have reflected on St. Bakhita’s life.
May 28, 2020
St. Josephine Bahkita is certainly an inspiration and a true model of humility, perseverance and faithfulness. While much of her early life is a mystery, mostly because there are no written records and her name was changed by her captors, the author was able to assemble the likely region of her birth. This is a story that will stick with me and also worth reading to better understand the horrors of slavery and the peace that can come with the grace of forgiveness.
September 20, 2023
A moving and beautiful story that champions forgiveness and love through Gods grace. Bakhita is one of the most beautiful saints whose life is a great example of finding peace and joy through hardship, violence and oppression. Her example of humility, joy and service to God are inspiring to all those who seek a relationship with Christ.
July 25, 2024
Bakhita was unknown to me before this book, but I think she is truly a saint for our modern times. The author does a good job of narrating her story along with historical and societal context to help the reader understand what else was occurring at the time. My only reason for four stars is there were lots of names that made it hard to follow at times.
August 28, 2025
I read the book with high hopes due to the interest I had in this Saint. She has an inspiring life story, and the book does a good job of portraying it, however, for those of you who are suspicious of Opus Dei, the book seems to be a bit too sympathetic with the organization and its founder.
November 16, 2025
This is one of the best books I've read this year, and the best biography of a saint I have ever read. The author does a great job of explaining the historical context of St. Josephine Bakhita's life, and his writing style allows her extraordinary simplicity and holiness to shine through.
August 10, 2020
An informative account of this remarkable saint.
January 16, 2022
Outstanding. A must read.
March 4, 2022
About 50 pages too long.
September 27, 2023
Although the writing is a bit scattered, the story itself is wonderful. St. Bakhita, I'm glad I know you!
March 14, 2024
This book is deep. I read it in two sittings and cried about it for 3 days.
August 29, 2024
Storia peculiare che pochi conoscono, io l'ho scoperta con questo libro.
June 5, 2025
Una vida interesante, y el relato es muy agradable de leer.
July 5, 2013
INCREDIBLE!!!!
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June 7, 2017Good read about a lady that managed to achieve something for herself with little help from her own people
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews